Carpet fitters spend a great deal of their practical working hours on their knees. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many workers in the profession developing a variety of knee disorders, including osteoarthritis. Studies have found the incidence of osteoarthritis among carpet fitters and floor layers with more than 20 years' experience to be more than double that of the general population.
However, things do not need to be this way; employers have the ability to reduce the incidence of carpet fitter's knee disorders by providing suitable health and safety training and personal protective equipment, including knee pads. As such, any failures in this regard may result in them being liable for civil claims for compensation.
Furthermore, in 2010 the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) recommended that osteoarthritis of the knee should be join the list of prescribed diseases for those with more than 20 years' working history as a carpet fitter or floor layer, with diagnosis based on the following symptoms:
- Knee pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Restricted movement
- X-ray evidence
- Knee replacement
If you have developed a carpet fitter's knee condition and this has caused you lost earnings, reduced your ability to earn in the future or has resulted in medical costs, you may be able make a carpet fitter's knee claim.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee in Other Professions
Although the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) has not recommended prescription of osteoarthritis of the knee for construction workers, it has said it "will continue to monitor emerging evidence" and "suggested the need [for research] to focus on trades in the construction industry."
However, the Council found evidence that frequent kneeling and/or squatting in the workplace together with heavy lifting may more than double the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee. Any person who has developed osteoarthritis of the knee while working in these or similar conditions may be eligible for compensation.
Talk to Thompsons, today. Call 0800 0891 331.
Additionally, osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is recognised as a prescribed disease for miners and in such cases is popularly referred to as "miner's knee". The BBC has previously reported on the compensation claims of thousands of miners affected by the condition.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Osteoarthritis of the knee is marked by of erosion of the cartilage surrounding the joints and causes damage and deformation of the bone as well as impairment of the joint's mechanics. Diagnosis of the condition is achieved by considering reported symptoms together with evidence of reduced mobility of the joint as well as observed changes on radiographs.
However, OA of the knee is not always observable on a radiograph. The American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-I (NHANES-I) found that only 15% of workers who report knee pain have radiological evidence of osteoarthritis pathology.
There are a range of treatments available for the condition, including anti-inflammatories, analgesics, physiotherapy, surgery, knee replacement and specialist equipment.
Causative Actions in Carpet Fitting and Floor Laying
There are a range of tasks in the carpet fitting and floor laying professions that, over time, may result in the development of osteoarthritis of the knee. These are the following:
- Installing linoleum
- Installing carpets
- Installing vinyl
- Installing tiles
- Installing underlay
- Installing skirting board
- Filling
- Grinding
- Cutting
Thompsons Solicitors for Carpet Fitter's Knee Claims
Strong and healthy knees are the foundation of so much we do and enjoy in our personal and professional lives. An injury to the knee can reduce our ability to be mobile, independent and pain-free – it can also reduce our earning capacity.
If you have been diagnosed with carpet fitter's knee or any other occupational knee injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your pain, suffering, lost earnings and medical expenses. For help making a carpet fitter's knee claim call Thompsons today on 0800 0891 331.
