The plica is a structure that extends the protective synovial capsule around your knee. Plica syndrome occurs when this structure becomes inflamed or irritated. When circumstances are normal, there is no pain in this part of the body, but once there is inflammation there, the tissue may hypertrophy and become a problem. Basically, parts of the knee begin to fold or thicken. Plica syndrome may be treated by braces or surgery. If you suffer from plica syndrome as a result of your job, you may be able to recover benefits with the assistance of the Boston workers’ compensation attorneys at Pulgini & Norton.
Plica SyndromeOverexertion and overuse of the knee on the job may result in plica syndrome. In some cases, surgery may be necessary, and the outcome of surgical treatment is considered quite good. Unfortunately, it may be challenging to establish that this injury was caused by your job. Workers' compensation benefits are supposed to cover the costs of medical treatment, but sometimes it is difficult to get a benefits claim for plica syndrome approved. Representation by an experienced attorney may make a difference in your claim.
People who are temporarily but totally incapacitated may be able to receive temporary disability benefits. You may qualify for these benefits if plica syndrome leaves you unable to work for five or more nonconsecutive days. The benefits are 60% of your pre-tax and pre-benefits average weekly wage. To calculate what this amount will be, you will need to look at your total gross earnings for the 52 weeks before you suffered the injury, and you will divide this amount by 52 to get the average weekly wage. You may receive the benefits for up to 156 weeks, and you may be compensated even for the first five days if you are disabled for 21 or more days.
Sometimes plica syndrome leaves you partially unable to work but not fully disabled. You might need to switch to a position with a lower pay rate or work fewer hours. In that case, you may obtain partial disability benefits. The maximum amount of compensation that will be awarded is 75% of your weekly total temporary benefits. For example, if you get $300 per week as a total temporary disability benefit, you would get at most 75% of that for a partial disability benefit. That amount might be received for up to about five years.
Sometimes plica syndrome results in a permanent and total disability. The benefits are two-thirds of the average weekly wage, based on what you were making in the 52 weeks before your injury up to the state average weekly wage as a maximum. If you are entitled to total permanent disability benefits, you should also be able to get cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
You may receive benefits as long as you suffer from the job-related disability, and in the case of a permanent disability from plica syndrome, you may be able to get these benefits for the rest of your life. You may also be entitled to medical benefits, which include adequate and reasonable care for plica syndrome. The insurer will need to reimburse your prescriptions and your mileage for traveling to and from your doctor for visits related to plica syndrome. For your first visit, your employer is allowed to require you to see a specified health care provider, but after that, you may choose your own health care provider. The insurer is also entitled to send you to a doctor of its own choosing for evaluations of your disability. The insurer is supposed to issue a card that has a claim number as well as contact information, and the doctor should try to get pre-approval for treatment and bill the insurer directly.
Hire a Skillful Workers' Compensation Attorney in BostonPlica syndrome may be painful and incapacitating. If it is work-related, you have the right to obtain the full range of workers' compensation benefits for it. At Pulgini & Norton, our experienced Boston attorneys can advise you about workers' compensation claims arising out of many medical conditions. We also handle claims in Newton, Weymouth, and Braintree, among other Massachusetts cities. For a consultation with a workplace accident lawyer, contact us online or at 781-843-2200.