Employers and their insurance carriers may delay or deny authorization, claim your injury was pre-existing, or argue the surgery isn’t “necessary.”
At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, we’ve helped thousands of injured Missouri workers navigate workers’ compensation claims—including cases involving knee surgeries, denied benefits, and employer pushback.
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Injuring your knee on the job can be life-changing—especially if it requires surgery. Whether you slipped on a wet floor, twisted your knee while lifting heavy equipment, or suffered a direct blow on a construction site, knee injuries are common in Missouri workplaces.
✅ Is Knee Surgery Covered by Missouri Workers’ Compensation?
Yes—if the injury occurred during the course and scope of your employment, Missouri workers’ compensation law typically covers:
- Medical treatment (including surgery)
- Temporary wage replacement while you recover (TTD)
- Mileage for medical visits
- Compensation for any permanent disability if you don’t fully recover
However, getting the surgery approved isn’t always automatic. Employers and their insurance carriers may delay or deny authorization, claim your injury was pre-existing, or argue the surgery isn’t “necessary.”
That’s where having an experienced Missouri workers’ compensation attorney makes all the difference.
🏥 Common Work-Related Knee Injuries That May Require Surgery
Knee injuries can range from mild strains to serious ligament tears. Common types of work-related knee injuries include:
- Meniscus tears
- ACL or MCL ligament injuries
- Patella fractures
- Kneecap dislocation
- Tendon ruptures
- Post-traumatic arthritis or chronic joint instability
Surgery may be recommended when conservative treatments (like physical therapy, injections, or bracing) fail to resolve the issue.
⚠️ What If the Work Comp Doctor Won’t Approve the Surgery?
In Missouri, your employer (or their insurance company) has the right to choose your doctor. Unfortunately, that doctor may be more focused on minimizing costs than on your long-term recovery.
If the work comp doctor denies surgery or downplays your injury, you have the right to request a second opinion or challenge the decision. In some cases, you may even qualify for hardship hearings to force the insurer to approve treatment.
At our firm, we routinely step in when injured workers are:
- Denied necessary surgery
- Pressured to return to work too soon
- Given inadequate or rushed medical evaluations
- Offered unfair settlements before surgery is approved
💼 How a Knee Surgery Impacts Your Work Comp Settlement
If your knee injury results in permanent limitations, you may be entitled to Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) or Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits—depending on your job duties and recovery outcome.
Some of the factors that affect settlement value include:
- The type and severity of your knee injury
- Whether the surgery was successful
- Ongoing pain or reduced mobility
- Your ability to return to your previous job
📣 Pro tip: Do NOT accept a quick settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies often try to settle before surgery to reduce their costs.
🛑 Don’t Let the Insurance Company Decide Your Future
Knee injuries often involve complex medical evaluations, long recovery periods, and thousands in treatment costs. The insurance company will have legal representation—you should too.
At the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann, we offer:
- Free consultations
- No upfront legal fees—we only get paid if we recover compensation
- Over $100 million recovered for injured Missouri workers
- Personal attention from James M. Hoffmann himself—not a junior associate
Contact Us Now for a Free Case Evaluation
Call us any time at (314) 361-4300 or contact us online. All communications are returned promptly, so you get the help you need when you need it.