ACL Tear Workers Compensation

You are entitled to Missouri workers’ compensation benefits if you have a torn ACL due to a work-related injury.

Damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly reported injuries to the knee. Sometimes referred to as a sprain, this painful injury often requires surgery to correct. If you are suffering from knee pain due to an accident at work, the cause could be an ACL tear.

Accidents are not the only work-related cause of an ACL tear. Missouri workers, such as plumbers or carpet layers, could also experience trauma to the knee and a sprain from the constant pressure applied as they work. Your workers’ compensation benefits also cover these types of overuse injuries. If you have questions about how to go about filing a claim for an ACL tear, schedule a meeting with James M. Hoffmann. Our practice has dealt with hundreds of cases involving this type of injury, and we can be counted on to help you receive the treatment and benefits you are entitled to.

Knee Injuries in the Workplace

Your knee carries the entire weight of your body and is considered the most complex joint. Without it, you would lose the ability of your leg to bend, swivel, or straighten, making it extremely difficult to walk. Because it is complex and comprises several components, it is especially vulnerable to workplace injuries.

Trauma from twisting the wrong way, falling, or being struck in the knee could all lead to an ACL tear. Lifting heavy items repeatedly, stooping, and performing work duties on all fours could also cause a tear to develop over time. In cases where an ACL tear is detected, additional damage will be to other knee components. Since you are reliant on the knee for every step you take, a painful ACL tear will make it extremely difficult to continue work without medical intervention. This will often include surgery to repair the tear and restore mobility.

Diagnosing an ACL Tear

Symptoms of an ACL Tear:

• Often identified by a sudden popping sound in the knee.
• Followed by excruciating pain.

Common Causes:

• Occurs from quickly twisting the knee.
• Happens when extending the leg after a prolonged squatting position.

Initial Diagnosis Process:

• Visual examination of the knee for bruising, swelling, or deformity.
• Stability checks for each of the four ligaments in the knee can be painful.

Further Testing and Treatment Options

Advanced Diagnostic Tests:

• An MRI to look for signs of ligament injury and assess the joint’s complexity.

Treatment Decisions:

• Based on overall health and injury severity.
• Options include rehabilitative therapy or surgery, depending on the injury’s extent.

Surgical Repair of an ACL Tear

Because of its location, an ACL tear can usually be surgically repaired non-invasively. This procedure requires a small incision for the surgeon to reconstruct the torn ligament using arthroscopic surgery. Recovery from this operation can take anywhere from six to nine months, with rehabilitative physical therapy to help ease the knee back into full functionality.

What Will the Workers Compensation Benefits Cover for Surgical Repair of an ACL Tear?

Surgery is often recommended as a last resort, only after other therapies have been tried to no avail. Still, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will be required to cover the treatment cost and, if necessary, the surgery. In addition, you may receive a percentage of your lost wages as you recover from the procedure.

James Hoffmann has practiced workers’ compensation law for over 25 years. We have represented clients who have suffered all types of work-related injuries and have a strong history of helping injured workers get the medical attention and financial compensation that they need.