[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-yourself-from-work-related-knee-injuries\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-yourself-from-work-related-knee-injuries\/","headline":"How To Protect Yourself from Work-Related Knee Injuries?","name":"How To Protect Yourself from Work-Related Knee Injuries?","description":"Do you have a job involving a lot of squatting, kneeling, or stooping? It\u2019s important to take proper safety precautions to protect your knees and prevent workplace injuries. Wearing knee protection, such as knee pads, is important if you have a job that involves kneeling directly on hard surfaces. Preventing knee injuries is important. Employers […]","datePublished":"2024-03-13","dateModified":"2025-04-11","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/blog\/author\/mckinnleymorgan\/#Person","name":"Mckinnley Morgan","url":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/blog\/author\/mckinnleymorgan\/","identifier":14,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bf85300712aac5f2f5566e909ece4e89ea565ca52ef8557588a55d3dd859d24c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bf85300712aac5f2f5566e909ece4e89ea565ca52ef8557588a55d3dd859d24c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/18-mcy-logo-blue.png","url":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/18-mcy-logo-blue.png","width":300,"height":300}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/How-To-Protect-Yourself-from-Work-Related-Knee-Injuries.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/How-To-Protect-Yourself-from-Work-Related-Knee-Injuries.jpeg","height":720,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-yourself-from-work-related-knee-injuries\/","about":["Workers' Comp"],"wordCount":1188,"articleBody":"Do you have a job involving a lot of squatting, kneeling, or stooping? It\u2019s important to take proper safety precautions to protect your knees and prevent workplace injuries.Wearing knee protection, such as knee pads, is important if you have a job that involves kneeling directly on hard surfaces. Preventing knee injuries is important. Employers should implement knee injury prevention programs throughout their companies. Doing so helps prevent injuries and guards against disruptions to a company\u2019s productivity.Have you already developed knee pain or sustained a work-related knee injury in the Lexington, KY area? If so, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Wear-and-tear knee injuries also may qualify for workers\u2019 compensation if the job caused greater than normal deterioration of the knee joint. A workers\u2019 compensation lawyer at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can review your knee injury and discuss whether you have a workers\u2019 comp claim. If so, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you demand full workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Our dedicated approach has allowed us to secure more than $400 million for injured Kentuckians. Contact our Kentucky Courage\u2122 lawyers today for more information.Understanding Knee Anatomy and Common InjuriesThe knee is a complex joint. It consists of numerous bones, muscles that move the knee joint, ligaments and tendons that stabilize the knee, cartilage that absorbs shock, and a small sac under the knee cap that provides lubrication so the joint moves smoothly. Trauma to any part of the knee can result in a serious knee injury, causing pain and limiting range of motion.Common knee injuries are:ACL injuriesFracturesCartilage tearsLigament tearsTorn meniscusKnee bursitisCartilage damagePatellar tendinitisOveruse injuriesIn addition to traumatic injuries caused by workplace accidents, a worker may gradually develop a wear-and-tear injury as a result of overuse of a body part such as the knee joint. A doctor often initially diagnoses a wear-and-tear injury as osteoarthritis. However, greater than-expected arthritic changes to a knee joint may occur as a result of excessive kneeling or squatting related to work duties. The employer’s workers’ compensation insurance may cover medical treatment of a wear-and-tear knee injury.You’ll need skilled workers’ compensation attorneys who can develop medical evidence to show that the changes to your knee joint are more than the deterioration that would be expected to occur with normal age-related changes to the joint. You may be entitled to seek a workers’ compensation settlement for a wear-and-tear injury.Knee injuries tend to affect a worker\u2019s balance and mobility. You might have joint pain and limited mobility if you\u2019ve sustained a work-related knee injury. Depending on the injury\u2019s severity, you may be out of work for a lengthy period or unable to return to your job.Identifying High-Risk Work ActivitiesSome workers, such as construction workers, carpet layers, and floor layers, have a higher risk of sustaining knee injuries. Often, these jobs involve kneeling, lifting heavy objects, and other physically demanding tasks. The work puts stress on the knee joint and other body parts.According to a study available through the National Library of Medicine, jobs that can injure the knees are:FarmingConstructionMetal workingFloor InstallationCarpet layingThat\u2019s not an exhaustive list. Your chances of sustaining a work-related knee injury may be high if you engage in such tasks as:Lifting heavy itemsCarrying heavy itemsKneeling to reach low spacesUsing a knee kicker to stretch carpetingFrequent squattingFrequent stair-climbingCertain risk factors in a workplace can increase the odds of employees sustaining knee injuries. These factors are:The quality of workers\u2019 footwearUneven surfaces, particularly in areas where employees perform physical tasksLack of proper equipmentLack of sufficient workers to complete various tasksLack of communication regarding knee injury prevention strategiesFamiliarizing yourself with knee injury prevention best practices can help you minimize your chances of hurting your knees at work. Sharing this information with your employer may also promote a safer overall working environment.Adopting Workplace Practices to Safeguard Knee HealthThere are various ways to prevent knee injuries in the workplace. They include:Teaching employees how to maintain proper postureUsing ergonomic work tools to minimize joint stressProviding protective equipment such as knee pads and knee shieldsEncouraging employees to wear footwear that offers proper supportEncouraging employees to perform regular stretching exercises to strengthen and protect their jointsLetting employees know they should wear kneepads and similar protective equipment when performing certain tasksAn employer should provide protective gear for their employees. Requiring employees to use this gear when engaging in activities that carry a high risk of knee injury could reduce injuries and workers\u2019 compensation claims.Maintaining Knee Health and Well-beingEmployers should encourage employees to take precautions to prevent knee injuries and maintain joint mobility. Employers should encourage employees to:Raise Tasks Off the GroundWork activities that involve squatting or kneeling for extended periods of time put stress on the knees and can cause inflammation, pain, minor knee injuries, and more serious knee injuries over time. Raising the work off the floor or ground so you don\u2019t have to kneel or squat to perform the task can spare the knees and prevent knee pain.Take breaksIf a worker must kneel and wear knee protection to perform a task, the worker should take mini-breaks every 20 seconds to extend the leg and allow blood flow. Changing positions can reduce stress on the knee and the risk of injury caused by kneeling in one position for extended periods.Report signs of painEmployees should never feel the need to work through pain. Workers should report any pain they experience as a result of doing their job and make adjustments to reduce stress on the knees, knee pain, and the risk of knee injuries. Even if symptoms are minor, an injury could get worse if a worker ignores it.Live a balanced lifestyleGetting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy diet are effective ways to guard against illness and protect your health in general.Knowing how to prevent knee injuries is crucial. However, there\u2019s no way to completely eliminate the possibility of sustaining a work-related knee injury.It\u2019s also essential to talk to a knowledgeable attorney and understand your legal options if you develop a knee injury on the job.Contact a Lexington Knee Injury LawyerYou may be eligible to claim workers\u2019 compensation benefits if you develop a work-related knee injury or a wear-and-tear injury in Kentucky. Your employer\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation insurance should cover the cost of your medical treatment, including surgery and physical therapy for job-related knee injuries. Workers\u2019 compensation also may cover a portion of your lost wages while you are unable to work due to the injury.Speak with a Lexington, KY, knee injury lawyer for more information about your legal options. At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we\u2019ll answer your questions and offer the dedicated representation you need. Get started by contacting a workers\u2019 compensation lawyer online or calling us at (877) 809-5352 for a free injury case review."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How To Protect Yourself from Work-Related Knee Injuries?","item":"https:\/\/www.kentuckycourage.com\/blog\/how-to-protect-yourself-from-work-related-knee-injuries\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]