You wake up at 5:00am, just like every other morning. Only this isn’t every other morning. You remember the accident as if it happened five minutes ago. You were climbing down from scaffolding at the construction site, and as you reached the ground, you stepped on a misplaced two by four, causing you to twist and fall. As you went down, you felt a pop in your knee. Your ACL was torn, and now you can’t walk. Construction accidents can result in many types of injuries, including ACL tears.
ACL Tear Causes
You can tear your ACL at any time, with little or no impact to the knee. All it takes is a twist the wrong way or a blow at the right angle. Unfortunately, due to the movement, stability, and heavy weight lifting required of construction workers, these types of injuries are common on and around construction sites. Repeatedly climbing up and down ladders, working in tight spots that demand unnatural turning and twisting, working near heavy machinery, and kneeling for long periods of time contribute to ACL injuries.
How Serious Is a Torn ACL?
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a ligament in the knee that acts like an elastic band, ensuring that bones in the leg do not rub together or over extend. When the ligament is torn, it can cause extreme pain and severely limit a person’s mobility. Many patients with ACL tears face a minimum six-month recovery that involves significant restrictions. Even if you can return to work, you may be limited to light duties, with no climbing, kneeling, or squatting. You may lose your sense of balance due to the reduced strength of the ligament, and other parts of the knee may be affected by the injury. In many cases, surgery is required.
What Should I Do if I Tear My ACL?
Your first call should be for medical help, but the next call should be to an IOSHA-certified construction accident attorney. It is important to contact an attorney as quickly as possible, so he or she can begin gathering evidence and interviewing eyewitnesses immediately. At the law firm of Golitko & Daly, we handle workers’ compensation and third-party personal injury claims. If your injury keeps you out of work for 12 months or more, we can handle your social security disability claim as well. One of our attorneys is also a registered nurse who handles social security disability claims, and she has a high success rate with the Social Security Administration.
Contact Us for a Consultation
If you have torn your ACL, or have been involved in any kind of construction accident, make sure that you have an IOSHA-certified attorney in your corner. Contact our legal office today for a free consultation with one of our highly qualified attorneys.