Knee injuries can affect nearly every part of your routine. Walking can become difficult, and treatment may continue long after the accident itself. When another party caused the harm, a Pasadena, TX knee injury lawyer could help you determine whether you have a claim.
At Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, our catastrophic injury attorneys understand that the seriousness of a knee injury is not always obvious at the scene. Symptoms can worsen over time, and insurers may question whether surgery or rehabilitation is necessary. We investigate what happened and document how the injury has changed your life so that we could pursue compensation from those responsible.
Knee Injuries and the Accidents That Cause Them
The knee consists of bone, cartilage, and the ligaments and tendons that hold it together, and a sudden impact or twisting motion can damage any of them. Some people recover with rest and physical therapy, while others need injections or surgery. One of our Pasadena attorneys could use evidence to connect your knee injury to the event that caused it.
These injuries often follow motor vehicle crashes and falls on unsafe property, though workplace incidents and other preventable events can also cause them. Common diagnoses range from torn ligaments and meniscus damage to fractures and dislocations. Even when imaging does not immediately reveal the full extent of the damage, persistent swelling or instability can interfere with your mobility and employment.
A personal injury claim must connect the injury to another party’s negligent conduct. That may mean showing that a driver broke a traffic rule or that a business failed to correct a known hazard. Medical records matter, but photographs and witness accounts also help establish how the injury occurred.
Could an Insurer Blame You for Your Knee Injury?
An insurer may argue that you caused the accident or made the injury worse by delaying treatment. However, that allegation does not automatically defeat your claim. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, you may recover compensation when your share of responsibility is 50 percent or less, although the court may reduce your recovery by your percentage of fault. An attorney from our Pasadena firm could push back when the facts do not support the insurer’s version of how your knee injury occurred.
Because fault disputes directly affect the amount you are able to recover, preserving evidence is important. We could examine the scene and secure available video before it disappears, then challenge any conclusion the facts do not support. Our attorneys may also answer arguments about prior knee problems because a preexisting condition does not excuse a negligent party from responsibility for new harm or a measurable aggravation of an earlier injury.
Building a Claim Around the Full Impact of the Injury
A knee injury claim should reflect more than the first medical bill. The claim’s value can depend on the treatment you need and on whether the injury limits your ability to earn a living. It may also account for your physical pain and reduced mobility, as well as the impact on your daily life. One of our Pasadena lawyers could document these effects so that your knee injury claim reflects the full extent of your injuries. Recoverable losses may include:
- Medical expenses and anticipated future care
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and impairment
- Property damage when the injury arose from a collision
State law also sets a filing deadline. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years from the date of a lawsuit, and some situations carry different notice rules or exceptions. Waiting could put important rights and evidence at risk.
Speak With One of Our Pasadena, TX Attorneys About Your Knee Injury Claim
You should understand your options before you accept an insurance settlement or decide your injury is not serious enough to pursue compensation. Our legal team could evaluate liability, review the medical evidence, and explain your options.
Contact Schechter, Shaffer & Harris to discuss your situation with our Pasadena knee injury lawyer. We could help you protect your claim while you focus on your treatment and recovery.
