Victorville Knee Injury Lawyer

When they are functioning correctly, people rarely think about their knees. These remarkable and functional joints are responsible for the correct function of the legs. They carry tremendous amounts of weight, even in people who are not overweight, because movement translates body weight into a larger amount of effective weight on the joints. As a result, these joints are surprisingly strong. However, when they are injured, the results can be life-changing for the victims.

If you have experienced a knee injury, you may be struggling with mobility, pain, and more. These injuries are often treatable by surgery, but few victims completely recover to their pre-injury status. You may deal with lifelong pain, repeated medical procedures, time away from work, and lifelong limitations on mobility and function. A Victorville knee injury lawyer at Walter Clark Legal Group could help you explore your legal options after suffering from this type of catastrophic injury.

Understanding Knee Injuries

A knee injury refers to any damage to the knee tissue, including the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bones, and muscles. Symptoms of a knee injury can include:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Pain
• Instability
• Feeling like your knee is going to give out
• Difficulty bending the knee
• Difficulty straightening the knee
• Feeling like the knee is catching or locking up

There are several different ways to injure a knee. Some people have knee problems because of regular wear and tear. This is a particular risk for people who are obese or who have engaged in high-impact sports.

The knee has four major ligaments, and each serves its own function:

• The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) are responsible for the leg’s backward and forward movement by controlling the movement of the tibia
• The MCL (medial collateral ligament) and LCL (lateral collateral ligament) do not control movement. Instead, they stabilize the knee. A tear in any of the ligaments can lead to problems with mobility and stability

Torn ligaments can have partial or complete tears. One of the most common ligament tears is a torn ACL, which may happen with sudden starts, stops, or direction changes. There is a tale-tell pop when the ACL tears. The meniscus is the cartilage between the shinbone and the thighbone. Like ligaments, this cartilage can tear. Treatments for torn ligaments and a torn meniscus may be similar. Both may be treatable without surgery, but a victim’s overall physical condition, activity level, and other factors will influence the overall prognosis.

Patella fractures are broken kneecaps. The patella is the small bone in front of the knee. These fractures are more common than people realize, making up about one percent of all broken bones. They can result from high-impact sports but are more likely to result from a direct blow to the knee, such as one would experience in a fall or a motor vehicle accident.

A Victorville knee injury attorney can work with a medical team to ensure that a victim understands their medical prognosis and what that means in terms of recovery and medical expenses. Based on that information, they can help estimate damage awards.

Liability for Knee Injuries

Several different types of accidents can lead to knee injuries, such as:

• Construction accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Premise liability claims
• Defective products

A well-practiced Victorville lawyer can help assess whether a knee injury is due to someone else’s careless behavior.

Whether another party is responsible for the knee injury depends on negligence. Did someone who owed a duty to the victim fail to exercise reasonable care? The answer depends on the situation that led to the injury, the duty of care, and the victim’s behavior. However, some scenarios—like product liability claims—may be strict liability.

Speak With a Victorville Attorney About Your Knee Injury

When your knee is injured, you can lose mobility. You may need expensive treatments like surgery to heal the knee. Even if you are able to resolve the issue with rest and conservative treatments, it may require you to miss time from work, which can lead to financial losses. A Victorville knee injury lawyer at Walter Clark Legal Group could help you explore your potential remedies and bring a claim. Schedule a consultation to find out more.