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A knee injury can turn your life upside down. Simple things like walking up stairs, getting in your car, or playing with your children become painful challenges. Medical bills pile up while you can’t work. If you’ve suffered a knee injury because of someone else’s carelessness, you need support from people who understand what you’re going through.
At Chionuma Law Firm, our knee injury lawyers in Kansas City help people who have suffered torn ligaments, damaged joints, and other serious knee injuries get the money they need for medical care, lost wages, and the pain they’ve experienced. You don’t have to face this difficult time alone.
After a knee injury, you might wonder if you need a lawyer or if you can handle things on your own. When your mobility and quality of life are affected, having the right legal help can make a huge difference in your recovery and financial future.
A knee injury lawyer in Kansas City can provide crucial assistance for several important reasons:
Knee injuries are expensive to treat. Surgeries, physical therapy, and other treatments can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Without proper compensation, these bills can create serious financial hardship.
Recovery can take months. Many knee injuries require long periods of rest and rehabilitation. During this time, you may be unable to work, leading to lost wages on top of mounting medical bills.
Some knee injuries cause permanent damage. Even with the best medical care, you might never regain full function of your knee. This can affect your ability to work and enjoy life for years to come.
Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible. They may pressure you to accept a quick settlement that doesn’t cover all your needs, or they might try to blame your injury on pre-existing conditions.
The legal process is complicated. There are strict deadlines, complex paperwork, and specific procedures that must be followed. Making mistakes can hurt or even destroy your case.
If your knee injury happened because of someone else’s negligence—whether in a car accident, workplace incident, or fall on someone else’s property—consulting with a knee injury lawyer in Kansas City is an important step to protect your rights and future.
An experienced torn ligament lawyer Kansas City residents trust can help in several key ways:
Identify all responsible parties. In some cases, multiple people or companies might share responsibility for your injury. A lawyer investigates thoroughly to identify everyone who should be held accountable.
Calculate the true value of your claim. This includes current and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other impacts of your injury.
Gather compelling evidence. Your lawyer collects medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert opinions to build a strong case.
Communicate with insurance companies. This protects you from saying something that might hurt your case and ensures all correspondence is properly documented.
Negotiate for fair settlement. Most cases settle outside of court, but getting a fair offer requires skilled negotiation. Your lawyer knows the true value of your case and won’t accept inadequate offers.
Represent you at trial if necessary. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer will take your case to court and advocate for you before a judge and jury.
By managing these tasks, a lawyer allows you to focus on what’s most important: your physical recovery and adapting to life after your knee injury.
Understanding the nature of your injury helps you communicate better with doctors and lawyers. Let’s explore what knee injuries are and how they affect your body.
The knee is one of the most complex joints in the human body. It connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia), with the kneecap (patella) sitting in front. The knee joint is held together by ligaments and cushioned by cartilage, allowing it to bend, straighten, and bear your body weight.
Knee injuries range from minor sprains that heal quickly to devastating tears and fractures that may require surgery and months of rehabilitation. These injuries can affect any part of the knee: bones, ligaments, cartilage, or tendons.
What makes knee injuries particularly serious is that we rely on our knees for so many daily activities. Walking, climbing stairs, driving, and even sitting and standing all depend on healthy, functioning knees. When knee function is compromised, your mobility and independence can be severely affected.
Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones and provide stability to joints. The knee has four main ligaments, each serving a different purpose:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Located in the center of the knee, the ACL prevents the shin bone from sliding forward on the thigh bone. ACL tears are among the most common and serious knee injuries. They often occur during sudden stops, changes in direction, or direct impacts to the knee.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): The PCL prevents the shin bone from sliding backward. PCL tears typically happen from direct impact to the front of the knee, such as hitting the dashboard in a car accident or falling hard on a bent knee.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): Located on the inner side of the knee, the MCL prevents the knee from bending inward. MCL injuries often result from a direct blow to the outer knee, pushing it inward.
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): Found on the outer side of the knee, the LCL prevents the knee from bending outward. LCL injuries are less common but can happen from impacts to the inner knee.
Ligament tears are graded by severity:
Severe ligament tears often require surgery, especially for active individuals. Recovery can take months, and some people never regain their previous level of function.
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone and shin bone. Each knee has two menisci (medial and lateral) that help distribute weight and reduce friction during movement.
Meniscus tears can happen suddenly during activities that involve twisting or rotating the knee, especially while bearing weight. They can also develop gradually due to age-related wear and tear.
Symptoms of a meniscus tear include:
Treatment depends on the size, location, and severity of the tear. Small tears on the outer edge may heal with rest and physical therapy. More severe tears, especially in areas with poor blood supply, often require surgical repair or removal of the damaged portion.
A dislocated knee occurs when the bones of the knee are forced out of alignment. This is a severe and relatively rare injury that often happens in high-impact accidents like car crashes or serious falls.
Knee dislocations are medical emergencies because they can damage blood vessels and nerves around the knee, potentially leading to serious complications including amputation if not treated promptly.
Signs of a dislocated knee include:
Treatment involves carefully returning the bones to their proper position (reduction), followed by immobilization and often surgery to repair damaged ligaments and other structures.
Knee fractures involve breaks in any of the three bones that form the knee joint:
Patella (Kneecap) Fractures: These often result from direct impact to the front of the knee, such as hitting the dashboard in a car accident or falling directly onto the knee.
Distal Femur Fractures: Breaks in the lower part of the thigh bone where it meets the knee, typically from high-energy trauma or falls.
Proximal Tibia Fractures: Breaks in the upper part of the shin bone, commonly from car accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
In addition to bone fractures, knee injuries can involve damage to soft tissues:
Tendon Tears: Tendons connect muscles to bones. The quadriceps tendon (above the kneecap) and patellar tendon (below the kneecap) can tear partially or completely, usually during forceful activities.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the knee joint, often due to overuse or direct trauma.
Cartilage Damage: Injury to the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the bones, which can lead to arthritis over time.
These injuries may require surgical repair, followed by physical therapy and rehabilitation. Recovery times vary from weeks to months, depending on the severity.
If your knee injury also affects your hip, you might want to learn more about combined injuries on our hip injury .
Understanding how knee injuries typically happen helps identify who might be legally responsible. Here are the most common causes we see:
Vehicle crashes frequently cause knee injuries when:
Knees Strike the Dashboard: In frontal collisions, the knee can slam into the dashboard, causing fractures, dislocations, or ligament tears.
Side-Impact Crashes: These can push the door against your knee or force your knee sideways, tearing ligaments.
Motorcycle Accidents: Riders often suffer severe knee injuries when their legs are caught between the motorcycle and the road or another vehicle.
When another driver causes these accidents through speeding, distracted driving, or other negligent behavior, they should be responsible for resulting injuries.
Many knee injuries happen on the job, especially in certain industries:
Construction: Falls from heights, slips on uneven surfaces, or being struck by objects.
Manufacturing: Slip and falls on wet floors or injuries from operating machinery.
Retail and Service Industry: Regular lifting, bending, and standing can lead to stress injuries, while wet floors can cause falls.
Office Settings: Even office workers can suffer knee injuries from tripping over cords, falling down stairs, or slipping on recently mopped floors.
While workers’ compensation typically covers workplace injuries, there may be additional claims against equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or other third parties if they contributed to the accident.
Falls are a common cause of knee injuries:
Wet or Icy Surfaces: Slippery floors in stores, restaurants, or parking lots.
Uneven Walking Surfaces: Broken sidewalks, potholes, or unexpected steps.
Poor Lighting: Making hazards difficult to see.
Lack of Handrails: On stairs or ramps.
Cluttered Walkways: Creating tripping hazards.
Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises. If dangerous conditions caused your fall and subsequent knee injury, the property owner may be responsible.
Athletic activities carry a high risk of knee injuries:
Contact Sports: Football, basketball, and soccer often lead to collisions that damage knees.
Skiing and Snowboarding: Falls and twisting motions commonly result in ligament tears.
Running and Jumping Sports: These can cause stress injuries over time or acute injuries from improper landings.
Improper Training or Equipment: Inadequate coaching, poor technique, or defective gear can increase injury risk.
While participants accept some risk in sports, negligence by coaches, facility owners, or equipment manufacturers may create liability for injuries.
Faulty products can cause knee injuries through:
Exercise Equipment Failures: Treadmills, stationary bikes, or weight machines that break during use.
Ladder Collapses: Causing falls from heights.
Vehicle Safety Systems: Seatbelts, airbags, or structural components that don’t function properly in a crash.
Defective Medical Devices: Knee braces, artificial joints, or surgical tools that fail.
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers may be liable for injuries caused by defective products under product liability laws.
For injuries that affect both your knee and spine, our spinal cord injury page provides additional information on these complex cases.
Knee injuries can have wide-ranging effects that go far beyond the initial trauma. Understanding these impacts helps explain why proper compensation is so important.
The immediate signs of a knee injury typically include:
Pain: Often described as sharp, throbbing, or severe, especially with movement or weight-bearing.
Swelling: The knee may balloon in size within hours of the injury due to bleeding or inflammation.
Bruising: Discoloration around the knee from bleeding beneath the skin.
Popping or Cracking: Many people hear or feel a “pop” at the moment of injury, particularly with ligament tears.
Instability: The knee may feel like it’s giving way or unable to support weight.
Limited Motion: Difficulty bending or straightening the knee fully.
Locking: The knee may catch or lock in certain positions.
These symptoms require prompt medical attention to prevent complications and ensure proper healing.
Knee injuries often lead to long-lasting or permanent problems:
Chronic Pain: Many victims experience ongoing pain that may never completely resolve, requiring long-term pain management.
Limited Range of Motion: The knee may never bend or straighten fully again, affecting your ability to climb stairs, kneel, or perform other activities.
Instability: Ongoing feelings that the knee might give way, requiring braces or other supports.
Early-Onset Arthritis: Joint damage often leads to arthritis years sooner than would normally occur, causing additional pain and limitations.
Need for Future Surgeries: Many knee injuries, particularly artificial joint replacements, require revision surgeries later in life.
Leg Muscle Weakness: Even after healing, the muscles surrounding the knee may remain weaker, requiring ongoing strengthening exercises.
Altered Gait: Changes in walking pattern can cause secondary problems in the ankles, hips, and back.
These long-term effects often require ongoing medical care and can significantly impact your ability to work and enjoy life.
The impact of knee injuries extends beyond physical damage:
Depression and Anxiety: Common psychological responses to chronic pain and reduced mobility.
Fear of Re-Injury: Many people develop anxiety about activities that might hurt their knee again.
Loss of Independence: Needing help with basic activities like shopping, cleaning, or even personal care can affect self-esteem and mental health.
Social Isolation: Mobility limitations may prevent participation in social activities and hobbies.
Identity Changes: Athletes or physically active people may struggle with changes to their self-image.
Relationship Strain: Changes in roles and increased dependence on family members can create tension.
Financial Stress: Medical bills and lost income add to emotional burden.
These psychological impacts deserve recognition and appropriate compensation, just like physical injuries.
As a knee fracture lawyer Kansas City victims rely on, we understand that these effects can be as devastating as the physical injury itself.
The steps you take after a knee injury can significantly impact both your health and your legal case.
Knee injuries need proper medical care. Even if you can walk or the pain seems bearable, seeing a doctor promptly is crucial for several reasons:
Some injuries worsen without treatment. What seems like a minor sprain could be a partial tear that will become worse if you continue regular activities.
Documentation is essential. Medical records created soon after an accident provide important evidence for your case.
Early treatment improves outcomes. Many knee injuries have better long-term results when treated quickly.
Tell your doctor exactly how the injury happened and all symptoms you’re experiencing, even if some seem minor. Follow all recommendations for imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, which can reveal damage not visible from the outside.
As soon as you’re able (or with help from family):
Take photos of the accident scene showing what caused your fall or injury.
Photograph your knee showing swelling, bruising, or other visible signs of injury.
Get names and contact information from any witnesses.
Keep a copy of any incident reports filed at the location where you were injured.
Save all medical records and bills related to your knee injury.
Keep a journal about your pain levels, limitations, and how the injury affects your daily life.
This documentation provides crucial evidence for your case and helps show the full impact of your injury.
Recovering from a knee injury takes time and dedication:
Attend all follow-up appointments with orthopedic specialists and other doctors.
Complete prescribed physical therapy to regain strength and mobility.
Use braces, crutches, or other assistive devices as recommended.
Take medications as prescribed to manage pain and inflammation.
Report new or worsening symptoms promptly to your healthcare team.
Following your treatment plan helps your recovery and shows that you’re taking your injury seriously, which strengthens your legal case.
The sooner you speak with a knee joint injury attorney Kansas City residents trust, the better. Early legal help allows your attorney to:
Investigate while evidence is fresh. Important evidence can disappear quickly after an accident.
Interview witnesses before memories fade. Witness testimony is often crucial in determining liability.
Ensure you don’t miss important deadlines. There are strict time limits for filing injury claims.
Guide your communications with insurance companies. What you say to insurers can affect your claim.
Help you access resources for immediate needs. A good lawyer can connect you with medical care and other support services.
Most reputable personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win money for you.
When you’re dealing with a knee injury, the last thing you need is the added stress of fighting for fair compensation. Here’s how we can help:
A thorough investigation is crucial to proving who was responsible for your injury. Your lawyer will:
Gather Evidence: We collect accident reports, photos, video footage, and witness statements before this evidence disappears.
Inspect the Scene: For workplace accidents or falls, we examine the location to document hazardous conditions.
Review Records: In cases involving vehicles or equipment, we review maintenance records, safety protocols, and other relevant documentation.
Consult with Experts: We work with accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, or safety experts who can explain exactly how your injury occurred.
This detailed investigation helps establish who was at fault for your knee injury, which is essential for your claim.
Properly documenting your injury and its effects is vital. We help by:
Collecting Complete Medical Records: We obtain all records related to your knee injury, from emergency treatment through ongoing care.
Consulting with Medical Experts: Orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and other specialists can explain your injury, treatment needs, and long-term prognosis.
Documenting Functional Limitations: We work with experts to measure and document exactly how your injury has affected your mobility and daily activities.
Projecting Future Needs: Many knee injuries require ongoing care or cause permanent limitations. Medical experts help us understand what future care you’ll need so these costs are included in your claim.
These medical opinions and records provide crucial evidence for calculating the true value of your claim.
Insurance companies often try to minimize claims or pressure victims into quick settlements. Your lawyer will:
Handle All Communications: We deal with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to worry about saying something that might hurt your case.
Evaluate Settlement Offers: We know when an offer is fair and when it falls short of what you truly need.
Present a Complete Claim: We make sure insurance companies understand the full extent of your damages—not just current medical bills, but ongoing care needs, lost earnings, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Counter Insurance Tactics: We recognize and fight against common tactics like delaying claims, disputing liability, or questioning the severity of your injuries.
Getting fair compensation for a knee injury requires skill and persistence. Your attorney will:
Prepare Your Case Thoroughly: Even if settlement is likely, we build your case as if it will go to court.
File All Necessary Documents: Court filings must meet strict requirements and deadlines.
Present Compelling Evidence: We organize medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence to clearly show the impact of your injury.
Tell Your Story Effectively: We help judges and juries understand how your knee injury has affected your life and why you deserve compensation.
Handle Appeals if Necessary: If initial results are unfavorable, we can pursue the appeals process.
Our goal is to get you the resources you need to get the best possible care and secure your financial future after a knee injury.
Knee injury cases can involve several types of compensation (called “damages”) that address different aspects of your losses:
This includes compensation for:
Emergency Care: Ambulance transport, emergency room visits, and initial treatment.
Diagnostic Tests: X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other imaging to assess the damage.
Surgery: Many knee injuries require surgical procedures, which can be very expensive.
Hospital Stays: You may need days in the hospital, especially after surgery.
Doctor Visits: Follow-up appointments with orthopedic specialists and other physicians.
Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation to restore strength and mobility.
Medications: Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and other drugs.
Medical Equipment: Braces, crutches, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices.
Home Health Care: Assistance with daily activities during recovery.
Future Medical Needs: Many knee injuries lead to arthritis or other complications requiring ongoing care.
A thorough claim includes all these expenses, both current and future.
Knee injuries often affect your ability to work. You deserve compensation for:
Missed Paychecks: Income lost while you couldn’t work during recovery.
Reduced Earnings: Money lost if you had to work fewer hours or take a lower-paying position due to limitations.
Lost Benefits: The value of health insurance, retirement contributions, and other benefits lost due to time away from work.
Diminished Earning Capacity: If your knee injury causes permanent limitations that affect your ability to do your job or advance in your career, you should be compensated for this long-term financial impact.
These economic damages ensure that your injury doesn’t create financial hardship for you and your family.
Beyond financial losses, you deserve compensation for:
Physical Pain: The actual pain experienced from the injury and treatments.
Emotional Distress: The mental and emotional impact of dealing with a serious injury.
Anxiety and Depression: Many knee injury victims experience mental health challenges during recovery.
Sleep Disturbances: Pain and worry often affect sleep quality.
These “non-economic” damages acknowledge that the true cost of an injury goes beyond medical bills and lost wages.
This type of compensation recognizes that your knee injury may prevent you from:
Participating in Hobbies: Activities you enjoyed before your injury.
Physical Activities: Sports, exercise, or other pursuits you can no longer do.
Family Interactions: Playing with children or participating in family activities.
Daily Pleasures: Simple enjoyments that are now difficult or impossible.
While no amount of money can truly replace these losses, compensation acknowledges their value and helps you find new sources of fulfillment.
As a personal injury lawyer Kansas City MO residents trust, we fight for all types of compensation you deserve.
Sometimes accidents have multiple causes, and you might worry that your own actions contributed to your injury. The good news is that in Missouri, you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault.
Missouri follows what’s called a “pure comparative fault” rule. Here’s what that means in simple terms:
You can recover damages even if you were partly responsible. Unlike some states that prevent recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault, Missouri allows you to seek compensation no matter how much fault you share.
Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found to be 20% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. For example, if your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $80,000.
Here’s how comparative fault might work in different knee injury scenarios:
Slip and Fall Example: Maybe you were texting when you tripped on a broken step. You might be assigned 30% fault for not watching where you were going, but the property owner might be 70% responsible for the dangerous condition.
Sports Injury Example: Perhaps you continued playing after feeling initial pain. You might be found 25% at fault for not stopping, while the coach might be 75% responsible for pressuring you to continue or not recognizing the signs of injury.
Workplace Example: You might have taken a shortcut through a restricted area, but your employer failed to properly mark hazards. The fault might be split between you and your employer.
Don’t assume you know how fault will be assigned. Insurance companies often try to shift more blame to the injured person to reduce what they pay. An experienced knee injury lawyer in Kansas City will gather evidence to minimize your percentage of fault and maximize your recovery.
Even if you think you might have been partly responsible for your accident, you should still consult with an attorney about your case.
After a knee injury, legal deadlines might not be your first concern. However, waiting too long can permanently bar your right to compensation.
In Missouri, most personal injury claims, including knee injury cases, have a 5-year statute of limitations. This means you have 5 years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit.
However, there are important exceptions:
Medical Malpractice Claims: If your knee injury resulted from medical negligence, you generally have 2 years to file.
Claims Against Government Entities: If your case involves a government agency (like a city bus that caused your accident), you may have much shorter notice deadlines—sometimes just 90 days.
While these deadlines might seem far off, building a strong case takes time:
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your chances of receiving full compensation. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and crucial details may be lost forever if you wait.
Even if you think the deadline has passed, it’s worth consulting an attorney. In some cases, exceptions may apply that could extend your time to file.
When you’re suffering from a knee injury, choosing the right attorney can make a huge difference in your recovery and financial future.
At Chionuma Law Firm, we have extensive experience with serious injury cases, including knee injuries:
Knowledge of Orthopedic Injuries: We understand the medical aspects of knee injuries and work closely with orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and other specialists.
Successful Outcomes: We’ve helped many knee injury victims recover substantial compensation that truly reflects the seriousness of their injuries.
Resources for Complex Cases: We have the financial and professional resources to thoroughly investigate and document knee injury cases, including working with specialized expert witnesses.
Trial Experience: While many cases settle, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to get fair compensation.
We know that no two knee injuries are alike. We take time to understand the specific ways your injury affects you and fight for compensation that addresses your unique needs.
As a knee injury lawyer in Kansas City, we offer advantages that larger firms can’t match:
Personal Attention: You’ll work directly with attorneys who know your case, not just paralegals or case managers.
Accessibility: We’re available to answer your questions and keep you updated on your case’s progress.
Clear Communication: We explain complex legal concepts in simple terms and make sure you understand all your options.
Respectful Treatment: We recognize the pain and challenges you’re facing and treat you with compassion and dignity.
Local Knowledge: We understand the Kansas City court system, local medical providers, and insurance company practices in our area.
We’re not just your lawyers—we’re your neighbors, committed to helping you through one of life’s most difficult challenges.
We know that knee injuries often create financial hardship. The last thing you need is legal bills on top of medical expenses. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:
Free Initial Consultation: We’ll evaluate your case at no cost to you.
No Upfront Costs: We advance all expenses of investigating and litigating your case.
No Fee Unless We Win: You only pay us if we recover money for you through a settlement or verdict.
This approach means everyone can access quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. It also means we’re fully invested in maximizing your recovery—the better you do, the better we do.
If you or someone you love has suffered a knee injury because of someone else’s negligence, Chionuma Law Firm is here to help. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you’re facing.
A knee injury can change your life in significant ways. You deserve compensation that recognizes the full impact on your life and provides for your future needs. Our team of experienced knee injury lawyers in Kansas City will fight for the money you need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Taking the first step is easy:
Free Consultation: We’ll review your case at no cost to you.
No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win money for you.
Personalized Attention: We’ll listen to your story and develop a legal strategy tailored to your specific situation.
We Come to You: If your mobility is limited due to your knee injury, we can meet you at your home, hospital, or rehabilitation facility.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek compensation for your knee injury. Contact Chionuma Law Firm today to speak with a torn ligament lawyer Kansas City residents trust.
Call us now at (816) 319-0647 or fill out our simple online form to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you through this difficult time and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
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The value of knee injury cases varies widely depending on several factors:
Severity of the Injury: More severe injuries like torn ACLs or those requiring reconstructive surgery typically result in higher compensation.
Medical Expenses: Both current and future treatment costs are considered.
Lost Income: How much work you’ve missed and how your earning capacity is affected.
Need for Future Care: If you’ll need ongoing treatment, additional surgeries, or will develop arthritis.
Age and Pre-Injury Activity Level: How the injury affects your particular lifestyle.
Pain and Suffering: The physical and emotional distress caused by your injury.
Liability Factors: Whether fault is clear or disputed, and if you shared any responsibility.
Knee injury settlements can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on these factors. Severe injuries requiring surgery, causing permanent limitations, or leading to early-onset arthritis typically result in higher compensation. A free consultation with our firm can give you a better idea of what your specific case might be worth.
No. At Chionuma Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis for knee injury cases. This means:
This arrangement allows you to get quality legal representation without any financial risk during this already challenging time. You can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your case.
Yes. Under Missouri’s “pure comparative fault” rule, you can recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for your accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you’re found to be 25% at fault, you would receive $75,000 (75% of the total).
Insurance companies often try to assign more blame to injured people to reduce what they pay. We work to minimize your percentage of fault through careful investigation and strong evidence. Even if you think you might have been partly responsible, you should still consult with us to understand your options.
There are three main categories of damages available in Missouri knee injury cases:
Economic Damages: These are financial losses with specific dollar amounts:
Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for non-financial losses:
Punitive Damages: In rare cases involving extremely reckless or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer. These are not available in most cases.
Unlike some states, Missouri does not have caps on compensatory damages in most personal injury cases, which means there’s no arbitrary limit on what you can recover for your knee injury.
The timeline for knee injury cases varies depending on several factors:
Severity of Your Injury: More serious injuries often take longer because we need to understand your long-term prognosis before settling.
Recovery Timeline: It’s usually best to wait until your condition has stabilized and doctors can predict your final outcome before settling. For knee injuries, this might take 6-12 months or more.
Complexity of Liability: Cases with clear fault typically resolve faster than those where responsibility is disputed.
Insurance Company Cooperation: Some insurance companies are more reasonable than others in offering fair settlements.
Simple cases might settle in 6-12 months, while complex cases could take 1-2 years, especially if they go to trial. We work efficiently but never rush your case at the expense of getting you full compensation. Sometimes patience leads to significantly better outcomes.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed about your case’s progress and what to expect next.
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