Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law supports victims of knee injuries (TBI) in Oklahoma.
The average settlement for a knee injury in Oklahoma ranges anywhere from $15,000 to $150,000. However, the amount you can recover will depend on the severity of your injury, the insurance policy of the liable party, and the damages done to your life due to the injury.
Knowing Oklahoma’s personal injury laws is half the battle of understanding your potential settlement. Connect with one of our expert Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and to see what legal options are available to you.
Knee Injury Settlements in Oklahoma
Knee injuries can range anywhere from torn ligaments to broken bones. In most cases, knee injuries will settle in the $10,000 to $100,000 range. However, the final settlement amount will largely be based on the severity of your injury. For example, if your knee injury requires surgery, or results in permanent disability, then your settlement can be far more substantial.
Average knee injury settlements include:
- Low settlements: low settlements usually consist of minor accidents with little to no injuries. These could include back sprains and strains. Medical bills and property damage costs are usually low in minor accidents, so the settlement amount will reflect the cost of damages. These tend to fall around $5,000 to $10,000.
- Moderate settlements: moderate settlements apply to accidents with moderate injuries such as whiplash or soft tissue damage. These injuries will require some medical treatment, as well as some missed work. The recovery period can be somewhat long, but victims typically make a full recovery. These tend to fall anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000.
- High settlements: high settlements involve severe injuries, resulting in long-term medical treatment, permanent disability, or fatalities. These cases usually receive substantial compensation due to the extent of medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as the extent of negligence which caused the accident. These tend to fall anywhere from $100,000 to millions of dollars.
How a Lawyer Can Help with a Knee Injury Settlement in Oklahoma
If you’ve suffered a knee injury, determining liability can become a complex matter. Depending on the situation, several parties may be liable for your injuries. Potential liable parties include:
- A property owner
- A business
- A driver
- A government entity
- A manufacturer
- An employer
So, whether you injured your knee in a car accident or from falling due to a hazardous condition, seeking compensation from a specific party requires expert legal assistance. A skilled Personal Injury Lawyer will:
- Increase your initial settlement by letting the insurance adjuster know you intend to invoke your right to fair compensation
- Make you aware of the compensation you will need in order to treat your injuries and make a full recovery
- Help you understand what a fair settlement should be based on the details of your case
- Build a case by gathering evidence such as:
- Proof of the damages you’ve suffered
- Evidence that a person, or business, was liable for your injuries
- Evidence the accident was in no way your fault, nor could you have done anything to prevent it
- File a claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached and present your case in front of a jury
What Impacts the Settlement Value of a Knee Injury?
Several key factors significantly influence the average settlement in knee injury accident cases:
- Liability: the degree to which the defendant is found responsible for your injury can add value to your settlement. The more reckless the defendant’s actions usually result in a higher settlement.
- Insurance coverage: the defendant’s insurance policy limits can cap the maximum settlement amount. If the defendant has an insufficient insurance policy, then alternate means of compensation will have to be pursued.
- Contributory negligence: Oklahoma is a modified comparative negligence state, meaning if you (the plaintiff) are found less than 50% at fault for your injury, then you can receive compensation for your damages.
- Nature and extent of Injury: the cost of all reasonably necessary medical treatment and the estimated cost of future medical treatment are essential to the value of a case.
- Objective findings for physical pain: pain is a subjective thing, so, objective evidence is needed to support it in a personal injury case. This is usually presented in the form of X-rays and MRIs.
- Medical history: a history of preexisting knee injuries or degenerative conditions can reduce the case’s value. Insurance companies often argue that the knee injury resulted from preexisting issues rather than the incident itself.
- Plaintiff’s Age: this factor ties closely to medical history. Since knee problems are often associated with aging, younger plaintiffs generally fare better in knee injury cases. It’s easier for a younger person to convince a jury or insurance adjuster that their knees were fine before the accident.
- Permanent impairment: the most critical factor in a knee injury settlement is whether the injury results in permanent impairment. A permanent disability, especially one that affects the plaintiff’s ability to walk, can drastically impact their quality of life. As a result, compensation for a permanent injury is typically much higher than for an injury that heals.
Common Knee Injuries
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the most common knee injuries are ligament sprains, fractures, and dislocations. Knee injuries often happen in slip-and-fall incidents, car accidents, or due to job site negligence. The knee is a complex part of our body, consisting of joints, bones, cartilage, and ligaments. So, when a knee accident does happen, there are typically multiple parts that get damaged. Some of the most common knee injuries include the following parts of the knee:
- ACL injury: an ACL injury is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). These tears are common in athletes who play basketball, soccer, or other sports that require a sudden change in direction.
- Fractures: the bones of the knee can be broken during slip-and-falls or auto accidents. People with weakened bones can also suffer fractures in the smallest collisions.
- Torn meniscus: the meniscus acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it.
- Knee bursitis: some knee injuries cause inflammation in the bursae, the small sacs of fluid on the outside of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments glide smoothly over the joint.
- Patellar tendinitis: tendinitis causes irritation and inflammation of one or more tendons. This inflammation happens when there’s an injury to the patellar tendon, which runs from the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone. A healthy patella allows you to kick, run, and jump.
Contact Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law
If you or your loved one has suffered a knee injury in Oklahoma, the law firm of Ylla Gosney can help you reach a successful settlement. We have years of experience in managing personal injury cases for our clients and our firm has the legal resources to achieve a favorable outcome on your behalf. For your free consultation contact us today and get the expert legal support needed to maximize your settlement.
