Knee Injury at Work Claim | UK Compensation Guide

What types of knee injury happen at work?

kneeling; relevant in flooring, plumbing, cleaning)

• Medial and lateral collateral ligament sprains and tears
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Meniscal (cartilage) tears — medial or lateral
• Patella fractures from falls or direct impact
• Prepatellar bursitis (housemaid's knee — occupational condition from prolonged
• Tibial plateau fractures from falls from height or vehicle incidents

What causes knee injuries at work?

• Slips, trips and falls on wet, uneven or cluttered floors
• Falls from height — ladders, scaffolding, mezzanines
• Twisting incidents when carrying loads
• Prolonged kneeling on hard surfaces without knee protection
• Being struck by vehicles, falling objects or machinery
• Sudden changes of direction on slippery or uneven ground

What are your employer's duties?

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be suitable, stable and not slippery. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 cover twisting and awkward movement when handling loads. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to any fall from an elevated position. Where prolonged kneeling is involved, the employer must assess the risk and provide appropriate knee protection under the PPE at Work Regulations 1992.

How is a knee injury at work claim valued?

From the Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition: Severe knee injury (significant permanent disability, instability, likelihood of arthritis): £65,440 to £90,290 Serious knee injury (meniscal damage, continuing symptoms, possible surgery): £24,580 to £40,770 Moderate knee injury (ongoing symptoms, partial recovery): £14,840 to £24,580 Minor knee injury (full or near-full recovery): £4,350 to £14,840

What if your knee injury has required surgery?

Surgery — including arthroscopic repair, meniscectomy or ACL reconstruction — is a recoverable cost in a work accident claim. Future treatment costs, including the possibility of eventual knee replacement if damage leads to early arthritis, can be included in a claim for future losses or future medical expenses.

What if your knee injury has led to long-term mobility problems?

Long-term mobility limitations affecting your ability to work, drive, manage stairs, or carry out daily activities are quantified in a medical report and reflected in both the general damages assessment and special damages for care, adaptations and future earnings.