Claim compensation for a knee injury at work

If you've sustained a workplace knee injury due to the negligence of your employer, we can help you make a knee injury at work claim.

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Knee Injury at Work Claims

Every workplace carries the risk of accidents and knee injuries, even office and IT jobs. Potential incidents at work include slips, trips and falls, manual handling accidents, repetitive strain, vehicle collisions, and getting caught in heavy machinery. These can lead to various knee injuries, such as sprains, strains, meniscus tears, fractures, dislocations and bursitis.

Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to try and keep you safe from knee injuries while doing your job. They must identify potential hazards and offer you a safe workplace, adequate training and personal protective equipment if necessary. If they fail to do this and you are injured, you may be eligible to make a knee injury at work claim for compensation.

To find out more about how you can claim compensation for your pain and suffering, call 0800 470 0472 today or enter your details here to request a free consultation with a friendly legal adviser.

Key points about knee injury at work claims

Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if your knee was injured due to poor safety measures, lack of training, or faulty equipment at work.
Employer Duties: Employers must assess risks and prevent knee injuries by ensuring safe working conditions and correct procedures.
Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the date of injury or diagnosis to make a claim.
Compensation: Depends on the type of knee injury, long-term mobility issues, medical costs, and lost income.
No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis — you only pay a fee if the claim is successful.

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Table of Contents

Can I claim compensation for a knee injury at work?

If you suffer a knee injury at work, you might think that it is your own fault and there is nothing you can do about it. However, that is not always the case. In some situations you may have been injured due to a lack of adequate health and safety measures at work or other types of negligence, in which case you may be entitled to compensation.

An experienced solicitor can let you know if you can make an accident at work claim during a free consultation. During the consultation, they will ask you a few questions to verify whether:

Your employer or another party owed you a duty of care legally;
They breached this duty through negligence or wrongdoing and caused an accident;
You suffered a knee injury due to that accident.

If you are entitled to compensation, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement and will guide you through all the steps of the claims process. They will help you gather supporting evidence and send a letter of claim to the defendant to inform them about your case. Once liability is accepted, they will carry out negotiations on your behalf to ensure you get the maximum compensation award owed to you.

What are my employer’s duties towards me?

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and other workplace legislation, your employer has legal duties towards you. They must take all reasonable measures to prevent you from suffering a knee injury at work, such as:

Carry out risk assessments to identify potential hazards that could cause knee injuries and take measures to mitigate them;
Maintain a safe workplace that is free of hazards that could lead to slips, trips and falls, such as uneven floors and poor lighting;
Provide suitable work equipment and PPE to minimise the risk of injuries, such as knee pads, lifting aids and ergonomic workstations;
Offer adequate training and information to employees to ensure they understand how to carry out their job tasks safely;
Regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of the implemented health and safety measures.

These and other measures are essential to maintain a safe working environment and help prevent personal injuries to employees. A breach of these duties may result in liability if you sustain a knee injury in the workplace, depending on the circumstances.

What accidents at work can result in a knee injury?

Various types of situations can result in a knee injury at work compensation claim, including:

Slips and trips. Slipping on wet or uneven surfaces or tripping over an obstacle can cause you to fall and land awkwardly, resulting in a knee injury such as a sprain or fracture.
Falls from heights. Falling from a ladder, scaffolding, or elevated platform can potentially cause knee fractures or ligament tears.
Heavy lifting. Improper lifting techniques or excessive weight can strain the knee joint, leading to ligament sprains or cartilage damage.
Kneeling for long periods. Constant pressure on the knee due to kneeling on hard surfaces in jobs such as plumbing or construction can lead to cartilage wear.
Being struck by falling objects. Heavy objects falling onto the knee can cause fractures, bruising, or soft tissue damage.
Sudden twisting. Rapid changes in direction can cause knee ligaments to tear or strain.
Vehicle accidents. Collisions involving work vehicles like forklifts or HGVs can result in blunt trauma to the knees, causing fractures or soft tissue injuries.
Repetitive movements. Repeated bending, squatting, or lifting can cause overuse injuries like tendonitis or cartilage damage, leading to chronic knee pain.
Getting caught in machinery. Your knee could be trapped or crushed by heavy machinery, which can cause severe damage.

Common types of knee injuries at work

Knee injuries at work are common, especially in physically demanding jobs. For general information on common types, causes and treatment of knee injuries, you can also visit the NHS guidance on knee pain. These include but are not limited to:

Knee sprains occur when the ligaments that support the knee joint, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are overstretched or torn, often due to sudden twisting or awkward movements;
Knee strains involve the overstretching or tearing of the muscles or tendons around the knee, typically due to lifting heavy objects or overexertion;
Meniscus tears affect the cartilage in the knee and can be due to a sudden impact during a fall or sudden twists;
Bursitis is the inflammation of the tiny fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the knee joint, which could be due to prolonged kneeling or repetitive movements;
Fractures of the kneecap caused by falls from heights or being struck by machinery;
Knee dislocations occur when the bones of the knee joint are forced out of alignment, often due to a high-impact fall;
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition, can be caused by repetitive movements or carrying heavy loads;
Tendonitis refers to the irritation or inflammation of the knee joint due to overuse or repetitive stress.

The type of injury you suffered will determine how much compensation you could get if you make a successful claim against your employer.

What types of negligence could lead to a workplace knee injury?

There are many different types of employer negligence that could entitle you to seek compensation for a knee injury at work, such as:

A failure to provide proper training on how to perform work tasks safely, such as those that involve manual handling or the use of machinery;
Inadequate or a lack of risk assessments to identify hazards and implement measures to control or eliminate them;
A failure to maintain a safe working environment by addressing known hazards such as slippery floors, uneven surfaces or poorly lit areas;
A failure to provide personal protective equipment such as knee pads when necessary;
A failure to address and repair workplace hazards and carry out regular inspections and maintenance of equipment;
A failure to ensure that employees receive adequate rest breaks to avoid fatigue and overexertion.

If you suffered a knee injury due to negligence by your employer, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your pain, suffering and related financial losses. This includes lost wages if you had to take time off work to recover.

Can I make a knee injury at work claim if it was partly my fault?

If you suffered a knee injury at work and your own actions contributed to the accident, you may still be able to claim compensation. This is known as contributory negligence, and your compensation may be reduced to reflect your part of the blame.

For example, if you suffered a severe knee injury valued at £100,000 and were deemed 25% responsible for it, you will likely receive compensation of £75,000 (i.e. a 25% reduction). Examples of contributory negligence include:

A failure to follow established safety protocols;
Not wearing your PPE as instructed;
You carried out manual handling tasks without following the instructions you received during training;
You engaged in unsafe or reckless behaviour, such as running in the workplace or not respecting the speed limit of a forklift;
You noticed unsafe conditions at work, but you failed to report them;
You operated machinery without adequate training;
You were under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs that impair function at the time of the accident.

Whether you can make a claim will depend on your specific circumstances, so the best course of action is to contact us to speak to a legal adviser. You can call us on 0800 470 0472 or request a call back.

Evidence needed to support a personal injury claim

If you want to make a successful knee injury at work claim, you will need supporting evidence to show that you had an accident at work due to someone else’s negligence and how this has affected you. The types of proof you could use include:

Photographs of the accident scene and any hazards that may have contributed to it;
Photos of your injury if you have any visible symptoms such as bruising, cuts or swelling;
CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident, if available;
A copy of the accident report form that your employer must log into the company’s accident book;
Statements from witnesses who saw how the accident occurred, such as coworkers or bystanders;
Your testimony regarding the incidents and how it has affected your ability to work and engage in daily activities;
A detailed medical report outlining the nature and severity of the injury, the treatments received and the potential long-term impact;
An independent assessment with a medical specialist to confirm your diagnosis, prognosis and future care needs;
You also need proof of financial losses related to the injury, such as receipts, payslips, and invoices.

How much compensation can I claim for a knee injury?

The compensation amount you may be able to claim for a knee injury sustained at work will mostly depend on its type and severity. Your solicitor will consider all your losses and work hard to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

Your compensation payment will consist of two types of damages:

General damages refer to the compensation awarded for the physical injury and how it has affected your personal life. Examples include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, long-term disability, and inability to engage in activities you used to enjoy.
Special damages refer to financial losses and expenses related to the injury, such as the cost of private treatments, loss of earnings during recovery, mobility aids or the cost of care and assistance during recovery.

According to our online calculator, which is based on the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, possible knee injury compensation awards include:

Injury Type	Description	Compensation
Knee Injuries	A knee injury that recovers fully or leaves minimal ongoing symptoms	Up to £18,000
	A moderate knee injury causing minor instability or weakness	£20,000 - £35,000
	A significant knee injury causing ongoing pain, restricted movement or instability	£35,000 - £57,000
	A leg fracture extending into the knee joint, causing constant pain, limited movement and risk of osteoarthritis	£69,000 - £92,000
	A serious knee injury with joint disruption, ligament damage and osteoarthritis, causing pain and loss of function	£92,000 - £127,000

What is the time limit to start a knee injury at work compensation claim?

The time limit to claim compensation for a knee injury at work is set by the Limitation Act 1980 and is typically three years, starting from one of the following:

The date of your accident.
The date your injury was diagnosed if it developed over time.

Even if it seems like you have a lot of time to claim knee injury compensation, you should seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity. This will ensure all the evidence is well-preserved and will help your solicitor build a strong case within the allotted timeframe.

If you miss the claim limitation date, your case will usually be time-barred and no longer valid. However, there are a few exceptions that may apply:

If you were under 18 at the time of the accident, the three-year countdown does not begin until your 18th birthday.
If you were injured following an assault or another violent crime, you can make a CICA claim within two years after the incident.
You can claim compensation for a military injury through the AFCS within seven years of your accident.
If you cannot start a claim due to a medical issue that impacts your mental capacity, the time limit is put on hold until your recovery.

Can I hire a personal injury solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you are eligible to claim compensation for an accident at work, your personal injury solicitor will work on a no win no fee basis. That means you do not have to pay them anything upfront and are under no financial risk if your case fails.

Your solicitor only gets a success fee if and after they make a successful injury claim against your employer. This fee is agreed upon from the beginning and cannot be more than 25% of the compensation you are awarded for past financial losses and your pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

You can also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance to have further protection against litigation costs such as court fees, expert witnesses and your opponent’s solicitors. If you lose the claim, the ATE will cover all your expenses, ensuring that you will not be left out of pocket.

To find out if you can make a personal injury claim against your employer, call 0800 470 0472 today for a free consultation or request a call back by entering your details here.