The human knee is a complicated and delicate part of the body that is prone to injury. Many accidents can cause knee injuries, but when the result of an individual’s or company’s negligence, the injured party may be able to pursue compensation for their losses.
If you are seeking a Philadelphia knee injury lawyer, call the Marrone Law Firm, LLC. A catastrophic injury attorney could review your case and help you understand your legal options.
While not all knee injuries are the result of negligence, many can be. A Philadelphia attorney could examine the circumstances surrounding a particular injury and determine whether negligence was involved. Some of the most common causes of knee injuries that inspire personal injury lawsuits include the following.
Car crashes often result in sudden, high-force movements that damage the knee. “Dashboard knee” is a common injury referring to frontal collisions that cause the knees to slam into the dashboard. In addition to dashboard knee, a passenger’s leg can be crushed against a car in a side collision, twisting the knee and causing ligament damage.
The knees are often the first point of contact in a fall, and trips that result from someone else’s negligence are collectively referred to as slip and fall accidents. For example, a store may have mopped and left a wet floor without a warning sign. A workplace or business may have hazardous conditions, such as stairwells in disrepair or poor lighting. Resulting slip and falls can lead to knee injuries that cause lasting and expensive damage.
While playing sports comes with a natural degree of risk to the participant, some knee injuries result from faulty sports equipment. Manufacturing flaws in design or poor upkeep of equipment like footwear, protective gear, or ski bindings can result in knee injuries.
If someone else’s negligence results in a knee injury, the injured individual, or plaintiff, may be able to bring forth a personal injury lawsuit to get compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In Pennsylvania, plaintiffs typically have two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit (42 Pa. C.S. § 5524). Successful personal injury cases require the plaintiff to prove the responsible party was negligent by failing to meet their legal duty of care. This may involve demonstrating that a driver violated traffic laws or that a workplace failed to provide a safe working environment. A skilled knee injury lawyer could help a Philadelphia plaintiff gather the necessary evidence to prove negligence and demand compensation.
In addition to demonstrating negligence, a successful lawsuit requires the plaintiff to demonstrate damages. To do so, the injured party must present documentation of medical costs, lost wages, and any other financial losses. The plaintiff may also sue for non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
If you have sustained a knee injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to pursue monetary compensation for your losses. Contact an experienced Philadelphia knee injury lawyer who could help you move forward with clarity and confidence. An attorney could help gather evidence to establish negligence, assist in documenting damages, advise on the acceptance of any settlement offers, and represent you in court. Call Marrone Law Firm, LLC today to get started.