Torn Meniscus

Tearing a meniscus can result in long periods of being unable to perform your duties at work and extended periods of immobility, both of which can have serious consequences that impact your daily life. If you were injured in a car accident or work incident which you believe was caused by somebody else’s actions or negligence, contact a personal injury attorney from Altman & Altman LLP today. Our Boston-based attorneys can provide clients from all over Massachusetts with the legal assistance they need.

More than 200,000 people tear their meniscus each year, according to the Mayo Clinic. The meniscus is a flexible piece of cartilage that helps cushion the shin bone (tibia) from the thigh bone (femur) and provides stability within your knee. The meniscus can be torn through an over-rotation of the knee, which can not only be a very painful injury but can also cause long-term instability only correctable by surgery or long periods of careful rehabilitation.

How was your meniscus torn?

A torn meniscus can happen to anybody, regardless of their profession or level of activity. Tearing a meniscus can happen from doing something as simple and innocuous as hauling a bag of fertilizer and planting your foot into a small hole in the grass, causing the knee to twist and crumple underneath the load being carried. It can also be injured in more traumatic ways, such as a fall from a height or a sudden impact causing the knee to twist – like in a car accident.

Perhaps you work in a warehouse environment, and a load of heavy boxes falls on top of you. The sudden bearing of weight on an unsuspecting knee could result in a meniscus tear. Anybody who works in conditions where they must plant their footing on a sloped surface – think a logger on a hillside or a roofer on top of a sloped roof – is especially at risk, as these situations put the knee in a compromised position where any irregular or unexpected movement can cause a meniscus tear.

Once a meniscus is torn, doctors will recommend staying off of it and icing it to allow swelling to go down and the knee to begin to heal. However, depending on the severity of the tear, in certain cases the only thing that can repair a torn meniscus is to correct it with surgery. In such situations, recovery can take about six weeks or longer, which may be a significant challenge for someone who makes their living through a labor-related job.

You are entitled to certain rights after an injury

Whether your meniscus tear happened due to a careless driver crashing into you or it occurred due to an incident at work that you feel could have been prevented, you are entitled to certain rights if an injury – like a meniscus tear – affects your ability to perform your work responsibilities and collect a paycheck.

Not only do you have the right to collect workers’ compensation for an injury which occurs during your job, you may also be entitled to collect short or long-term disability depending on your career and the severity of your injury. These are guaranteed rights in many cases, so if you feel you are being discouraged from collecting either of these benefits, you should contact an Altman & Altman attorney right away.

We have over 50 years of experience fighting for the rights of our clients all over the Boston and Massachusetts area who have been injured through the negligence or actions of others. We will ensure that you are able to collect benefits rightfully guaranteed to you and make certain that you can continue to collect money to pay your bills and continue living your life. We will take the time to listen to your specific situation and craft a legal strategy catered to your unique situation.

Call us for a free consultation to go over the details of your case today at 617-492-3000 or toll-free at 800-481-6199. We are available 24/7.