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Knee Injury Claims & Compensation Amounts

By Ian Morris | Updated December 12th, 2022

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The knee is a complex joint and can be severely injured in any fall from height or as a result of unnatural twisting, with the stability and strength of the knee affected as a result. Injuries to the soft tissues and bone structure of the knee are commonly associated with road traffic accidents, slips and trips and accidents at work.

Types of knee injury you can claim for

Knee injury compensation can be claimed by any person who has suffered the injury as a result of the negligence of a third party, commonly an employer, shop or landowner.

As with any claim, medical evidence will be needed, so it is important that you seek medical attention to diagnose your injury and commence a suitable treatment plan.

Common types of knee injury for which compensation can be claimed include:

Knee ligament damage – tears and strains
Cartilage damage
Dislocation of the knee joint
Bursitis injuries (housemaid’s or carpet fitter’s knee)
Muscular injuries, including strains or pulls of the quad muscle, calf muscle or hamstring
Fractures and breaks to the knee joint
Patella or knee cap injuries

Some knee injuries, such as ligament tears and cartilage damage, can require intensive medical treatment, surgery and ongoing rehabilitation therapies. Others can be treated with physiotherapy and support dressings.

The value of a knee injury compensation settlement will depend on the severity of the knee injury, what level of damage has been sustained, how long the symptoms last for and whether any surgical intervention has been required.

Our solicitors will obtain your medical records and arrange for a medical assessment to be carried out with a detailed report provided to support your claim. In cases where an admission of liability is obtained, it may also be possible to seek costs for specialist rehabilitation therapies that will improve and speed up the recovery process.

Compensation amounts for knee injuries

The value of a claim for knee injury compensation will vary depending on the type of injury sustained and whether or not you have fully recovered.

In cases where the knee injury is relatively minor, such as a sprain or soft tissue bruising, and recovers within 12 months, the claimant should expect compensation from £1,000 to £5,000.

In cases of cartilage damage or a dislocation of the knee which has left a permanent weakness to the knee joint, compensation settlements will be higher, up to just under £20,000.

In the rare case of severe permanent trauma to the knee that will result in knee replacement surgery, the claimant could receive up to £70,000 in damages for their injury.

As with all claims for compensation, should you succeed you can also recover any lost income and costs incurred via the special damages element of your claim. Our expert solicitors will ensure that you are adequately and fairly compensated.

Are you eligible to claim knee injury compensation?

If your knee injury was caused by the negligence of someone else you have a right to make a compensation claim against the person or business responsible.

To succeed with your claim, your solicitor will need to be able to demonstrate that the cause rests with the negligent actions of a third party. This could be an employer who may have been negligent in their training or provision of work equipment, or a supermarket that failed to remove a slipping hazard from the shop floor.

To ensure that your claim has the best possible chances of succeeding, you must ensure that the details of your knee injury are properly recorded within an accident book and seek medical attention from a GP or hospital. Also, if you weren’t under 18 at the time you must make your claim within 3 years of the date of your accident.

If you are unsure as to whether or not you can make a claim, call us on 01225 430285 or if you prefer, . Our expert staff will quickly be able to identify whether or not the cause is something that you could pursue a claim for.

We know your rights and have a proven track record with expert solicitors succeeding on behalf of our clients.

We have an easy to understand No Win No Fee claims process, and whilst we can never guarantee that we will win any claim for compensation, we can guarantee that we care, that we’ll work hard in your best interests, and that if your claim should fail it will not cost you a penny.

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Comments & Questions

Read on for questions and advice about claiming, plus knee injury claim examples...

Hi I have worked in the manufacture of upholstery for 35 years working piece work. It involves heavy lifting on a repetitive system I have to lift by myself often. The company instructs us to lift bending the knees. As a result I have been informed I will need a knee replacement. My question is do i have a legal claim against the firms I have worked for? Thank you for any advice.

It is unlikely that you will be able to make a claim against the employers here as they have done the right thing in training you to lift safely and use the strength of the legs (by bending at the knee) to lift, rather than using the back. The other issue you will have is proving causation – that the trouble with your knees is caused by your work and not by degeneration or similar.

I had several accidents at work over five years ago which at the time was just taken as being a bad injuries to me knees. Recently my legs and knees have swollen really bad and it has been suggested I now need surgery for knee replacements. As the time was some time ago can I still make a valid claim for injury and how is the best way to proceed if I do?

If your accidents were longer than 3 years ago, there is nothing you can do as UK law provides a maximum claim limitation period of 3 years from the date of an accident in which you can make a claim. If more than 3 years have passed, you are statute barred and can take no action.

I was reversed into at work by a vehicle whilst I was doing my job, as a result I sustained a knee injury that is still on going a year on. At the time I put in the accident book and reported it to the management. I have had some other health issues meaning I’ve had quite a lot of sick days I was worried that I would go onto ssp. I was advised by hr to look at put a personal injury claim in to cover any loss of earnings. Since then I have found out that the paperwork by my company hasn’t been filled out correctly, the accident wasn’t reported to riddor and that they have back dated witness statements, it looks like I will have to have an operation on my knee to make it better. I have been with my employer for more than ten years.

The fact that you initially recorded the accident details correctly is important as you have done the right thing. The employer then losing the record or not recording it properly is out of your hands. You should certainly put in writing to the employer your thoughts on this and confirming what you recorded.

That you were hit by a reversing vehicle at work would indicate that you have a strong claim for compensation – even with the lost accident book record. Have you already tried to pursue a claim against the employer or liable vehicle insurer? If not, please call us on 01225430285 or use our ‘start a claim’ page. We’d be very happy to further investigate your claim.

I have worked for the same employer for over 20 years, I had to have a knee op in 2012 which at the time the surgeon did say it was my type of work that caused it. I then had to have my other knee done in 2015. I have now been told I need a HTO on my left knee as I’m too young for knee replacement – do i have a claim?

You may have had a claim against your employer, but our concern is that you are outside of the strict 3-year claim limitation period.

I had an accident at work last Nov. I was pulled over by a child hurting my knee I’ve had 1 operation and been off work for 6 weeks so far.

Was your accident caused by employer negligence? If so, you could seek to make a claim against your employer for the injuries you have sustained and any lost income that you have incurred as a result.

If you would like to find out more about whether or not you have a valid claim for work accident compensation, use our ‘start a claim’ form or call us on 01225430285 so that our expert staff can discuss your accident with you and identify whether or not you can pursue your claim further.

I am a security supervisor at crown court. I injured my knee assisting a police officer restrain a male who was resisting arrest.

We are currently pursuing similar claims for security staff who were injured in assisting Police officers apprehend an aggressive person. As such, it may well be that you also have a valid claim – of course, much will depend on whether your employer has carried out adequate risk assessments and provided you with the right level of support and training. If you would like us to investigate your prospects further, please get in touch.

I had a knee accident 15 years ago. I fell on a wet floor whilst neighbour was moving was told neither had insurance so just left it at that, been in constant pain ever since, been on crutches ever since fall messed my life up as cannot work. thanks.

Sadly, it would seem that you are now way outside the legal claim limitation period of 3 years and as such, there is nothing you can do to make a claim for personal injury compensation.

Good morning, I work for a firm of Solicitors as Legal Secretary and have been here for just over 3 months now. I work in a building with lots of floors and no lift. I have to walk up 4 flights of stairs just to get to my office. Daily I am up and down the stairs constantly. Then I have another 2 flights of stairs to go up to the toilet and use the kitchen.
I began getting discomfort in my knees and ended up going to the doctors due to the pain. He examined me and can see there is a problem and has prescribed me some anti-inflammatories and to take pain relief. I now have to take this daily. He said I could possibly have a cortisone injection into each knee but would like to try and delay that for the time being due to my age, I am 43. Eventually I will need knee replacements!
I have never had issues with my knees yet the daily struggle of going up and down the stairs has led me to having bad knees! When I took the job I did not realise the stress and strain I would be under just to get to my work space!
I have tried different shoes to see if this helps but nothing does, and I am more comfortable in long boots as feel it stabilises my knees more! I now have spoken with my manager and she advised me to see HR. I have now advised HR of this and basically there is nothing they can do. I have asked if I could be rehoused on the ground floor but there is no room for me. How do I stand with this and what should I do? Long term I feel this will be impacting my health massively. I can even feel pain in my knees when I am driving now too. Help?!

There is no obligation on an employer to provide an elevator or lift to allow staff to access different floors of a business and it is not unreasonable or unusual to expect someone to be able to climb and descend a few flights of stairs. It would be unfair to force all employers to incur the huge costs needed to retro-fit all workplaces with lifts. Sadly, in your case we cannot see any way that you can attempt to hold your employer liable for the knee problems you have developed as it is unlikely that any medical expert would find that a period of 3 months of walking up and down stairs at work would be the cause. Whilst climbing the stairs may have caused you to notice the problems with your knee, it is likely that a medical expert would indicate that you had a pre-existing condition and a previously diagnosed mechanical issue.

With regards to your asking the employer to move you to the ground floor, that is a reasonable request. However, there is no obligation to move you to that area if it is not practical for them to do so.

I injured my knee about a week ago at work. There is a board underneath where an old drawer was removed but that onboard was left. When I hit my knee it caused a contusion and fluid to build up and there is swelling. I have been taken out of work due to severe pain. I was put on cructhes until I see the orthopedics. They said I had some arthritis there that I didn’t know about until xrays from the injury. Will I be compensated or not for this?

You could seek to make a claim for compensation against the employer for this accident and if you succeed, you will receive a settlement.

I am a little confused though as to how you suffered your injury? What caused you to bang your knee? If you could explain further, I may be able to offer you a better response as to your prospects with any future claim.

I slipped when l entered a Bank. A small signage was placed -caution slippery floor as the weather was wet outside. The tile flooring is very shiny. I only put one foot off from the secondary mat when l slipped and fell on my knee. Accident book was filled in. I had to go to A&E as knee started to swell. No permanent damage. I have photos of my leg, Hospitals record, photo of my shoe that I was wearing. I also draw out the plan where I fell. No contact was made to me or when asked to be contacted via website complaints dept. no one has called. Do you think that a claim is justified?

The Bank have clearly attempted to provide a warning that there is a slipping hazard by erecting a hazard warning sign. However, simply erecting a hazard sign does not in and of itself absolve an establishment from responsibility if someone then goes on to slip and sustain an injury. This article gives a little more advice on hazard signs and how they don’t always prevent success in a slipping accident compensation claim. The hazard sign in this instance does indicate what defence the Bank and their insurers will use should any claim arise.

However, there may well be grounds to pursue a claim here and we would be very happy to discuss the possibility of compensation with you.

Hi I had an accident in the swimming baths while collecting my daughter from her swimming lesson there were no blue disposal shoes in the dispenser so I carried on in with my normal trainers on and slipped on the wet floor dislocating my right knee, when I fell it went back into place (however I have done his before a few times but never in a public place) when the passers by went to get help the manager and a swim instructor came to help however the manager didn’t offer me any ice pack for my knee and said if its a reoccurring thing is not going to help anyway, they sat me on a chair and asked if I needed an ambulance, and waited till my husband came to pick me up as I couldn’t drive, I have been off work for a week and half so far on sick leave and have now got a hospital appointment to see how much ligament damage there is and may need a knee operation which means 6-8 weeks off work which I cant afford , if I did put a claim in what would I have to do.
thanks

Hi, I am sorry to hear about your recent fall at the swimming pool. We could certainly investigate this matter for you with a view to pursuing a claim for compensation. Whether or not the claim would succeed will depend on a few factors, but we’d gladly get our specialist solicitor partners on to this for you.

It would be wise (if it hasn’t been done already) to make sure that the swimming baths in question have recorded your details and the nature of your accident within their accident book. If they didn’t take your details at the time, you should email them, write to them (recorded delivery) or go to see them in person.

Given the nature of your injury, it is definitely worth pursuing this to see if we can take this to a successful conclusion.

Hello 2 days before Xmas 2016, in the mid morning I slipped over in the warehouse tarmac yard it was frosty in the morning but i didn’t notice that it was slippery. I have damaged my knee and currently seeing specialists. I have been on sick unable to walk since 8 jan. The doctor gave me a light duties fit note which my line manager said they couldn’t do as they had no light duties. So I have been on sick with no sick pay (except SSP) since.
I spoke to my union and their solicitors, they say I have no claim because I am the manager of the store, therefore any fault or claim of negligence would be turned back at me as I’m in charge and should have been aware of the conditions outside. I had a new knee last year and this fall has damaged my other knee virtually beyond repair and I am waiting for a final surgeons appointment. At the end of Feb although I am attempting to go back to work next week with a knee brace and increased medication.
1. Is there a claim for injury here or at worst?
2. As it was an accident at work can they be forced to pay my wages?
Accident was reported that day and I have CCTV footage of the fall.

Tim

Thank you for coming to us, your injury sounds painful.

To answer your last point first, your employer has no obligation to pay your wages – even if you were injured at work. It really depends on your contract of employment and whether or not your employer is kind or simply goes down the obligatory SSP route.

Whether or not you can make a claim for compensation is not certain, as the Manager of the store, you may have some responsibility here. However, I would like to let our Solicitors look in to this for you as it could be that your employer is the responsible party as they may never have carried out a risk assessment of the slip risk in icy conditions – also, they may not have ever provided salt/grit to use in such conditions. There is a possibility that you could still claim against them, but have to accept a portion of responsibility – it is called split liability, where both parties accept some of the responsibility for the accident. For example, maybe your employer is 70% responsible because they didn’t risk assess this possibility or they didn’t ask you to do it – or make it part of your job and maybe you are 30% responsible as the manager of the store for failing to see a risk, report a risk or act on a risk.

If this were to be the case, you could still claim but any settlement would be (on the basis of my example) made at 70% of the total value (as you would have to accept 30% of the responsibility). In this scenario, it would still be worth claiming.

Hi, i dislocated my knee cap on friday the 25th of June. While delivering meat for my employer to Glastonbury festival, the accident occurred at around 10:30 and was caused by a knee high bench behind me that i fell over while carrying 20+kg of meat. I received basic but suitable treatment at the Glastonbury site being advised to visit A&E as soon as possible and was eventually taken back to my place of work a couple miles away. Upon arrival everyone was interested to what had happened including my boss, however nobody took any solid details and nobody logged it in any books. I have visited A&E and they confirmed it was a dislocation, i have proof of all medical treatment i received both immediately after the accident and recent treatment i have received. I have been off for 2 working days now and only worked there for 9 weeks. So firstly should i still get full pay and 2nd if i don’t should i consider a claim? Thank you.

I am really sorry to hear about your recent accident at Glastonbury whilst working. The liability element of your claim certainly sounds strong.

Obviously, the lack of any official record of the accident could make things a little more difficult than if it had been recorded, but I would suggest that it is still well within a reasonable time frame to record your accident properly. You should definitely insist that your employers record the details within their accident book and although they are not liable for your injury, they should record it. You should contact the company/vendor to whom you were delivering the meat and see if they have made a record and you could even contact Glastonbury Festival and ask them to make a record.

In any event, it is certainly worth trying to make a claim for injury compensation and we would be more than happy to help you with that.