If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Get prompt care if a knee suddenly locks, gives way and you fall, or swells badly with redness and fever. Call 911 if a fall leaves you unable to get up or you hit your head.
- 2Tell your supervisor in writing that you believe your knee problems are related to your work, and keep a copy.
- 3List the jobs and tasks that have been hardest on your knees: climbing ladders, roofing, carrying loads on stairs, kneeling on concrete, squatting under sinks.
- 4Write down roughly how long you have done this kind of work and for which employers, in words and approximate seasons if you do not remember exact dates.
- 5Gather any past medical records about your knees, including earlier work injuries.
- 6Do not stop treatment you already have. Just make sure the clinician knows about your work.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Worn-out knees from a working life are sometimes called cumulative or repetitive trauma. They can be harder to claim than an accident because there is no single date, and because age and life outside work are part of the picture too. How your state treats these claims varies, and many look at whether work contributed significantly to the condition.
Timing can be tricky. For gradual injuries, a state may look at when you knew, or should have known, that work was causing the problem. Deadlines vary, so contact your state's workers' compensation agency soon after you make that connection.
If you have worked for several employers over the years, it may not be clear which one's insurer is responsible. Write down your current and past employers in the trade, as best you can. That is a common question to raise with the agency or an attorney.
Keep a folder with your work history, your written report, medical records old and new, and a short description of a typical workday.
Getting medical care
A licensed clinician can evaluate your knees and decide what care, imaging or referrals are appropriate. Follow-up may involve orthopedics, physical therapy, pain management or physical medicine and rehabilitation. Bring your list of job tasks so your work history is in the record.
Tell the clinician you think your knee condition is work-related. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first for a work claim, so ask your employer or the adjuster before or soon after your first visit.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and the adjuster how work-related prescriptions are handled. Ongoing prescriptions can often be delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- The insurer says your knees are just from aging and denies the claim.
- You have worked for several employers and no one accepts responsibility.
- You may not be able to go back to physical work and are thinking about the rest of your career.
- A surgery or major treatment recommendation is disputed.
- You are considering Social Security disability or other long-term benefits along with workers' comp.
- You are offered a settlement and want to understand future medical needs first.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Recovery from long-term knee wear often means managing the condition rather than a quick fix. Following your care plan and keeping notes on what helps and what hurts gives a clear record.
Ask your clinician for restrictions such as limits on climbing, kneeling, squatting or carrying. Share them with your employer and ask whether different tasks are available. If returning to your trade is not realistic, ask about vocational help, which some states provide.
Stay in touch with your employer and adjuster in writing, and keep track of any time missed for appointments.
Questions to ask
- Who should I report a gradual work injury to, and is there a form for it?
- Which employer's insurance covers a problem that built up over many jobs?
- Doctor, can you note in my records how my work affects my knees?
- What restrictions will help me keep working safely?
- Is vocational help or retraining available in my state?
- How are ongoing work-injury prescriptions handled, and can they be delivered?
- Attorney, how does my state handle wear-and-tear knee claims?
- Attorney, how do workers' comp and Social Security disability fit together?
Frequently asked questions
Can knees worn out from years of physical work be covered by workers' comp?
They may be, depending on your state and your medical evidence. Many states recognize injuries that build up over time from work. Report it and ask your state's workers' compensation agency.
What if my employer says my knees are just old?
That is a common response in wear-and-tear claims. Medical records that connect your condition to your job duties can help address it. Many people speak with an attorney if the claim is denied.
I have worked for many employers. Which one is responsible?
It depends on your state's rules. Some look at the most recent employer, and others look at contribution over time. Ask the agency or an attorney.
When should I report a gradual knee injury?
As soon as you realize your knee problem may be related to work. Deadlines vary by state and may start at that point. Report in writing.
Can I keep working with worn-out knees?
Many people do, with restrictions or changes in tasks. Your clinician can help decide what is safe. Share restrictions in writing.
Can I get help finding new work if I cannot do physical jobs anymore?
Some states offer vocational rehabilitation or retraining through workers' comp. Availability varies. Ask your state's agency or the adjuster.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).