Work-Related Knee Injuries In Fort Lauderdale: Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Surgery and Rehab?
You are loading equipment, climbing a ladder, or simply walking across a wet floor at your Fort Lauderdale job site when, all of a sudden, your knee gives out. The pain is immediate, and so is the fear. Will you need surgery? How long will you be out of work? And who is going to pay for all of it?
Fortunately, workers’ compensation can help cover your losses. Knee injuries are unfortunately common and often require extensive recovery periods. Our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains what benefits you may be entitled to and how to protect your rights in a claim.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Knee Injuries in Fort Lauderdale
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the knee is the most complex joint in the body and one of the most likely to be injured. Whether you work on a construction site or in an office building, painful knee injuries can occur, leading to pain and limited mobility.
When knee injuries occur on the job, Section 440.13 of the Florida Statutes requires employers and their insurers to provide all medically necessary treatment. Common work-related knee injuries in Fort Lauderdale that may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits include:
- Torn ACL, MCL, or meniscus caused by a fall, twist, or sudden impact on the job;
- Fractures or dislocations resulting from workplace accidents or heavy equipment incidents;
- Bursitis or tendinitis developed from repetitive kneeling, squatting, or lifting at work;
- Cartilage damage from prolonged physical labor or a single traumatic workplace event.
Benefits available through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation can help cover emergency care, diagnostic imaging, orthopedic consultations, surgery, and physical therapy, but only through an authorized treating physician assigned by your employer’s insurer.
How To Protect Your Right to Benefits in a Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Claim
Getting approval for knee surgery or an extended rehab program is not always automatic. Workers’ comp insurers often push back, delay authorization, or argue that your injury is pre-existing. To protect your rights to Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation benefits, follow these steps:
- Inform your employer (in writing) as soon as possible, and keep a copy for your records.
- Request an authorized treating physician immediately. Do not delay seeking care.
- Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every medical appointment.
- Keep detailed records of your symptoms, limitations, missed workdays, and all medical visits.
If the insurer disputes medical treatment, you may be entitled to an Independent Medical Examination (IME) through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, which can help override an insurer’s denial. If they deny your claim, you have the right to file an appeal.
Consult An Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Have you suffered a work-related knee injury in Fort Lauderdale? At the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer fights to ensure injured workers receive the medical treatment and benefits they deserve. To request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/common-knee-injuries/
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.13.html