Knee Injury Claims
Claim Compensation for a Knee Injury
Our guide to knee injuries explains what you need to know about making a knee injury compensation claim.
“This is an excellent PI team, who are highly respected in the PI sector. Their team includes bright, hard-working solicitors dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for their clients”
“Osbornes is a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims.”
Table of Contents
The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body. As such, it is susceptible to a variety of injuries from sprains and cartilage tears to fractures and dislocations. Suffering a knee injury of any kind can have a significant impact on your ability to work, walk and carry out everyday activities.
An estimated one million people in the UK suffer some form of knee pain, and over 120,000 knee replacements are carried out in the UK. These figures show just how widespread knee injuries are.
If you have suffered a knee injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Getting fair compensation for your injury can help you access high-quality treatment so you can get back to doing the things you love.
What type of knee injury can we help you with?
Knee injuries occur either by impact or strain. Impact injuries are usually caused by a direct blow or trauma to the knee, while strain injuries occur from overuse or repetitive movements. Some common types of knee injuries include:
Dislocated or fractured knee cap – Dislocation of the patella and fractures of one or more of the leg bones where they meet the knee can be incredibly painful. Naturally, they have a significant impact on mobility. Surgeons may recommend screws, pins and wires to hold larger pieces of patella together.
ACL tears – ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, which is one of the key ligaments in the knee joint. ACL tears are common in athletes and can require surgery to repair.
Meniscus tears – The meniscus is a cartilage that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone (femur) and lower leg bone (tibia). Tears in this cartilage can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee.
Bursitis – Bursitis is a build-up of fluid around the knee and it can be extremely painful. It’s referred to colloquially as housemaid’s knee. Plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, cleaners and carpet layers are particularly susceptible to bursitis as their job requires them to be on their knees for prolonged periods of time.
This is not an exhaustive list. The knee is one of the easily injured joints in the body and any type of knee injury could potentially result in a compensation claim. The important thing is to seek medical attention as soon as possible and keep a record of your diagnosis, treatment, and any time off work you may have had to take.
What are the common causes of a knee injury?
The knee can be injured through any type of impact or sudden twisting motion. The three most common accidents where the knee is injured are:
Accidents in the workplace
Workplace accidents include trauma events and injuries resulting from physical stress, wear and overuse, for example:
- Slips and falls caused by hazardous conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces or poor lighting.
- Falls from ladders, scaffolding or other elevated platforms.
- Lifting and carrying heavy objects in a warehouse which can put excessive strain on the knees.
- Forklift collisions, and warehouse accidents.
- Overuse and wear and tear injuries from jobs that require frequent kneeling or squatting.
Employers are legally required to maintain a safe working environment, so if your knee injury is caused by unsafe working conditions, you may be entitled to claim for damages. For example, if you slip over cables that have not been taped down or a faulty machine throws you off balance and you suffer a knee injury, your employer may be liable.
Accidents on the road
Blunt force trauma during a vehicle collision can result in severe knee injuries, for example:
- The sudden, forceful contact when a pedestrian is struck by a car can directly impact the knee or cause the person to fall awkwardly, resulting in knee damage.
- When cyclists and motorcyclists are involved in accidents they often come down on one or both of their knees. Fractures, meniscus tears and ACL tears are very common and can result in surgery, time on crutches, rehabilitation and months off of work (and your bike).
- The impact of a car crash can cause the driver or passengers to hit their knees on the dashboard or other parts of the vehicle, resulting in severe knee injuries. The most serious road-related crush injuries may result in through-knee amputation of one or both legs.
Road users must take all reasonable precautions to avoid accidents and ensure the safety of themselves and others. If you have suffered a knee injury as a result of someone else’s careless or reckless driving, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
Slips, trips and Fall
Slips, trips and falls are a common cause of dislocations and fracture-type knee injuries, and you don’t have to fall from height for this to happen. Injuries can occur as a result of falling on one’s knees onto any hard surface, and the damage may be significant if the knee becomes twisted as you fall. Slippery floors, torn carpets and loose paving slab can all cause a fall leading to a knee injury.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises for members of the public who visit their property. If you have suffered a knee injury due to a slip, trip or fall in a public place, talk to us about the possibility of making a compensation claim.
How much compensation can I get for a knee injury?
We cannot say for certain how much your knee injury claim is worth as every case is different. However, we can explain what elements are included. They are:
- General damages are to compensate you for the pain and suffering caused by your knee injury and how it has affected you life, for example, whether you can no longer play the sports you love.
- Special damages are to compensate you for any financial losses and expenses incurred as a result of your accident. They might include:
- Loss of earnings if you have had time off work
- Treatment and therapy costs
- Travel expenses
- Care and assistance provided by friends and family or professional carers
- Equipment and adaptations required due to your injury
- Future lost income if it looks like you’ll be unable to return to work at the same job you had before the knee injury.
What are some average knee injury settlements?
To determine your general damages compensation, we will arrange for you to see a medical expert who specialises in knee injuries. They will prepare a report including all the details of your knee injury: how serious it is, treatment needed, time off work, prognosis for recovery, ongoing symptoms and so on.
Next, we consult the Judicial College Guidelines for Personal Injury Compensation. The Guidelines are essentially a set of tariffs. They list the amount of compensation you are likely to receive for various types of knee injuries, depending on whether the injury is mild, moderate or severe as determined by your medical report.
Based on the latest guidelines, here is an estimated compensation range for common knee injuries:
- Up to £6,020 for a minor knee injury such as minor sprains, strains and bruises that heal within a few weeks.
- £6,020 to £14,840 for a minor injury that leaves some permanent minor symptoms, such as pain or weakness that comes and goes.
- £14,840 to £26,190 for moderate injury like a dislocation or torn meniscus that causes prolonged pain and mobility loss but not resulting in permanent disability.
- £26,190 to £96,210 for serious knee injuries that result in a significant permanent disability such as limping or difficulties walking on uneven ground.
Is there a time limit for claiming knee injury compensation?
Yes, a claim must be made within 3 years from when the injury occurred or when your knee injury is first identified and linked to someone’s negligence. Usually, this will be the date of diagnosis by a doctor.
Different time limits apply where the claim involves a child or a vulnerable person.
Whatever your situation, if you wish to claim compensation for your knee injury it’s best to get advice early. We offer a free consultation for any potential personal injury case where we can advise you about these time limits and discuss the claims process.
If you decide to make a claim, we will ensure that you do not miss any deadlines.
Why choose us for a knee injury claim?
The best chance of winning a knee injury compensation claim is to speak with an expert personal injury solicitor like Osbornes Law. We are a leading law firm in this area, and have a 50-year track record of winning significant compensation for clients who have suffered knee injuries through no fault of their own.
We have expertise in the many types of accidents that could lead to a knee injury and the psychological trauma that goes with it. We’re accredited members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and partner with organisations including The London Cycling Campaign. This means we’re committed to acting in your very best interests and go above and beyond to restore you to your previous quality of life as much as possible.
No win no fee knee injury claim
We help many people every year win compensation for their knee injuries, and we can usually do it on a no win no fee basis. There’s no catch with this arrangement; it prevents you from facing unwelcome legal bills if you lose a case.
What other types of injuries can I claim for?
We have helped clients claim compensation for a wide range of injuries including:
Questions about Knee Injury Claims
Can I claim compensation for an ACL injury?
To have a valid compensation claim for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, you need to establish that:
- The injury was caused by an accident that was not your fault, or where someone else was at fault.
- The party responsible owed you a duty of care to prevent such injuries (e.g., your employer, the owner of a business owners, a local authority or health professional).
- The injury resulted directly from the accident and the negligence of the responsible party.
In the UK, you typically have three years from the date of the accident or from when you first became aware of the injury to start a claim.
Can I claim compensation for a delay in diagnosing ruptured patella (knee cap) tendon?
Yes, you can claim compensation for a delay in diagnosis if the delay was due to medical negligence. Before taking on a medical negligence case, our solicitors will check that you have a valid claim. We will need to establish that:
- You were owed a duty of care by the healthcare provider. This duty is usually automatically established when a doctor-patient relationship exists.
- The clinician breached their duty of care. This typically involves demonstrating that their actions or omissions fell below the standard of care expected from a reasonable and competent healthcare professional. This often requires extensive medical evidence.
- The medical professional’s negligence directly caused your injury or worsened your condition. This is known as ‘causation.’ It requires expert evidence to show that if the diagnosis had been made earlier, treatment could have started sooner and that would have led to a better outcome.
- You suffered actual harm, injury, or financial loss due to the negligence. This can include physical injury, emotional distress, medical expenses, loss of income, or other damages.
- The incident happened within the past three years or you became aware of the negligence no more than three years ago. There are a few exceptions to this rule but, generally, claims made after three years are considered time-barred and will not be accepted by the court.
Can I claim for a torn cartilage injury?
Yes, you can claim compensation for a torn cartilage injury if it resulted from an accident that wasn’t your fault, or if it occurred in circumstances where someone else was responsible, such as at work, in a public place, or during a sporting activity where proper safety measures were not in place. Cartilage injuries, particularly to the knee (like a meniscus tear), can be serious, leading to significant pain, mobility issues, and often require surgery.
Osbornes prepares cases well; the whole team is good and lawyers there know their stuff.
They deal with people compassionately and take on the right amount of detail. The firm has some really brilliant key solicitors.
The personal injury team is responsive and its level of service towards clients and other professionals is exceptional and high quality
The team offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims and regularly acts for foreign nationals.
It has considerable experience in cases arising from motor accidents and accidents at work
Osbornes is a well-regarded personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims.
Their team includes bright, hard-working solicitors dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for their clients from partner level to paralegal. Their client care is exceptional.
They are a team who are highly respected in the PI sector.
This is an excellent PI team doing a broad range of PI work.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims, with notable strength in acting for European clients for whom English is not a first language.
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims
Osbornes’ ‘highly respected‘ personal injury team is experienced in a range of complex, high-value claims.
"Osbornes always provides work of excellent quality and the advice is sound."
"The firm has the ability to handle the most sophisticated and complex matters."
"Osbornes is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes."
'The team deals with multi-million pound, often multifaceted claims, involving such factors as severe brain, psychiatric, gynaecological and spinal injury, major trauma, amputation and fatality.'
"They are a boutique firm with highly experienced partners who are well-respected in the industry."
"The team at Osbornes deals with catastrophic injury claims with the same professionalism as the largest firms, but provides a much more client-focused experience."
"A really first-rate team, well capable of dealing with the most serious and complex injuries."
"This team has carved out an exceptional reputation in catastrophic injury work."
"Osbornes has impressed me with their personal touch for clients whilst offering a first-class handling of catastrophic injury claims. The partners all have vast experience and are highly respected in their field."
"This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market."
"Osbornes have managed to recruit a team of outstanding catastrophic injury lawyers who are at the top of the game."
"They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area"
Ben Posford is fiercely bright, with an unrivalled passion for his clients’ cases. His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things PI is second to none. His foresight and commercial nous have propelled Osbornes into the highest echelons of the market where they rightly belong.
The firm has an excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants, managed by recruiting paralegals with multi-language skills – an impressive route for expansion of the caseload.
Great expanding team with expertise and respect in the sector. Led by a commercially savvy and business minded team.
A really excellent group of PI solicitors, notable for their individual quality.’
A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.
This combination of experience and diligence reaps massive rewards for clients, Osbornes being well known in the industry as a fantastic firm.
The Osbornes personal injury team now comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business.
Ben Posford is one of London’s best catastrophic injury lawyers, in my view. He is a real brain injury specialist.
Excellent coverage of personal injury, and traumatic brain injury. There is a real specialism in claimants who do not speak English as a first language.
The group is noted for its expertise in matters relating to cycling injuries, and is the official legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign charity.
To complement its strong reputation for high-value and complex personal injury work, the firm continues to develop its 'excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants'
"Osbornes comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business"
"A small but high-powered team, dealing with cases of significant value and complexity."
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
"Osbornes Law have captured the magic of keeping the customer service levels of a smaller firm whilst having all the expertise and power of the biggest firms."
"A superb boutique catastrophic injury firm."
"Really good at dealing with people who have suffered a serious injury."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
"superb firm with consummate professionals and a human touch."
Osbornes now has a team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers; particularly strong on high-value quantum cases, workplace accidents and claims involving foreign workers injured in the UK.
The team provides fantastic strength-in-depth for personal injury claims. It is also particularly well placed to service clients from Eastern Europe with specialist native language speakers. From the smallest case to a multimillion-pound spinal injury case, Osbornes has the right staff to manage every claim.
Ben Posford remains pre-eminent in his field with expert understanding of litigating cases of the upmost severity. His experience builds on Stuart Kightley’s running of the firm with recent partner additions of Rob Aylott making a fantastic addition.
A firm going from strength-to strength-which retains its client care whilst being able to offer a full personal injury service.
Beneath Ben Posford’s calm and reassuring presence, which clients love, lies a formidable tactical and legal brain. His experience tells and he gets it right at every stage of the process from arranging the best possible rehabilitation, to ensuring, so far as possible, a polite relationship with those acting for the defendant in order to ensure best and early resolution of the claim.
"Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team."
"They have an expanding profile in personal injury and clinical negligence and offer a superb, broad service in accidents abroad, enabled by their recruitment of bilingual legal executives who can guide non-English speakers through complex litigation."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Stuart Kightley is an incredibly empathetic solicitor who is very knowledgeable about traumatic brain injury."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"The hard-working, thorough and committed Robert Aylott, who brings significant heavyweight personal injury experience."
"Key team members include the energetic and personable Stuart Kightley who is head of the personal injury department."
"Osbornes has a growing influence and impressive work load and is gaining a reputation for handling complex catastrophic work."
"Catastrophic injury cases head Ben Posford is an excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service."
"Stuart is also very experienced in advising on fatal accidents and workplace accidents."
Thank you for the hard work and patience and for being so patient with my constant questions.
"I have found Osbornes to be thorough, clear and understanding from the initial call. They do exactly what they say they will and with passion! I would recommend them to anyone".
Very good efficient service. Would not hesitate to use again.
I will use Osbornes for any future needs.
I don't think I could have asked for anything more. One of the best dealings I've had with the legal profession.
Sam was excellent and very professional in dealing with our claim.
Head of the personal injury department, Stuart Kightley is a first-rate practitioner, wholly focused on getting his client the best outcome in a pragmatic, sensible and consensual manner.
As a real specialist in spinal cord injuries, Ben Posford is always looking at new angles on how to maximise his cases.
Ben Posford is one of the best catastrophic injury lawyers around.
They provide exceptional service, great knowledge and understanding of the law, excellent client care and tactical nous
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
My claim was dealt with efficiently and professionally. Communication was excellent, and timely. Shrewd and sound advice was provided at every stage of the claim from beginning through to completion. On the basis of my personal experience I would strongly recommend Osbornes.
I just wish to thank you for your hard work and successful outcome. I am pleased with the result and would recommend you and your firm to anyone in the future.
Ben Posford … is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.
Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.
