Average Workers’ Comp Meniscus Tear Settlements

Meniscus tears are one of those injuries that don’t sound too bad until you actually have one. 

Then suddenly, walking hurts, bending your knee is a struggle, and your daily routine goes completely sideways.

If it happened on the job, you’re probably wondering what kind of workers’ comp settlement you can expect, and how long the whole thing is going to take.

In this post, we’ll break down the normal workers comp meniscus tear settlement amounts.

Average Workers Comp Meniscus Tear Settlement Amounts

The average workers’ comp settlement for a meniscus tear usually falls between $7,500 and $35,000.

That’s a wide range, but that’s because not every injury is the same. 

Some people just need rest and physical therapy. Others end up needing surgery, months of recovery, or even face long-term mobility issues.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Minor tears without surgery: $7,500 to $10,000
  
• Tears requiring arthroscopic surgery: $10,000 to $25,000
  
• Severe or complex tears with lasting issues: $25,000 to $50,000+

Keep in mind, these are averages. Your case might fall outside that range depending on a few key factors, which we’ll get into next.

Also Read: 3 Epidural Injection Settlements

What Affects The Value Of A Meniscus Tear Settlement?

A lot goes into calculating your settlement. Here are some of the biggest things that affect workers comp meniscus tear settlement amounts:

#1 The Severity Of The Tear

A small, clean tear might not need much more than rest and physical therapy. That kind of injury usually heals up pretty well, and the settlement stays on the lower end. 

But once you’re dealing with complex tears, cartilage damage, or anything that affects how your knee bends or moves? That’s a bigger deal. 

More damage often means more pain, a longer recovery, and possibly a higher chance of future problems like arthritis. All of that bumps up the value of your claim. 

Basically, the more your knee is messed up, the more you’re likely to get.

#2 Medical Treatment Needed

The treatment path plays a huge role in what your case ends up being worth. 

If you’re lucky and only need physical therapy or a cortisone shot or two, your costs stay lower, and so does your payout. 

But when surgery enters the picture, everything changes. Even a basic arthroscopic surgery involves doctor fees, anesthesia, follow-up visits, imaging, and rehab. 

Plus, ongoing care like braces, pain meds, or long-term therapy gets factored in. 

So the more treatment you need, the bigger the potential settlement.

Also Read: Workers’ Comp Stress Claim Settlement Amounts

#3 Time Off Work

Missed work is one of the most obvious and immediate effects of a workplace injury, and it definitely impacts your settlement. 

If you’re off the job for a couple of days, it’s not going to change much. But if you’re out for weeks or even months, that lost income adds up quickly. 

Workers’ comp typically pays a portion of your wages during that time, and any unpaid time or light-duty work that pays less could factor into the final settlement too.

The longer you’re off, the more your settlement usually grows.

#4 Permanent Restrictions

Sometimes, even after treatment, your knee never quite gets back to “normal.” You might not be able to kneel, squat, run, or even stand for long stretches without pain. 

That’s what’s known as a permanent restriction. 

And it can seriously affect what kind of jobs you’re able to do moving forward.

If you can’t return to your previous job or have to switch to something that pays less, your settlement should reflect that change.

#5 Disability Rating

Once you’ve hit what’s called Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), a doctor will assign you a disability rating. This rating basically says how much long-term damage your injury has caused.

A low rating means you’ve mostly recovered. 

A higher rating means lasting issues, and that tends to equal a bigger payout. 

It’s a big piece of the puzzle, and insurance companies pay close attention to it.

#6 Your Job And Wages

Your salary affects meniscus tear settlements too. 

Higher wages usually mean higher settlements because lost income gets calculated based on your usual paycheck. 

A warehouse worker making $18/hour with a physically demanding job might have a very different settlement from a desk worker with the same injury.

Also, the physical demands of your job are important. If your work involves lifting, crouching, or standing all day, a knee injury can really derail your ability to perform. 

That adds extra weight to your case.

How Long Does It Take To Settle A Meniscus Tear Case?

Short answer: anywhere from a few months to over a year.

It depends on your recovery timeline. Most people wait until they’ve hit MMI before they settle. That way, you know exactly how your knee healed (or didn’t) and what kind of future care you might need.

If surgery is involved, that process takes longer. If complications come up, it takes even longer.

Here’s a loose timeline:

• Minor injuries: 3–6 months
  
• Moderate injuries with surgery: 6–12 months
  
• Complex cases with long-term effects: 12+ months

It can feel slow, but it’s better to wait than rush into a lowball offer before you know the full extent of the damage.

Also Read: Can I Go Fishing While On Workers’ Comp?

Should You Accept A Lump Sum Settlement?

Lump sum settlements can be super tempting. One check, and you’re done with the whole process. But make sure you look at the big picture before signing anything.

Here’s what to think about first:

• Have you fully recovered?
  
• Is your doctor done treating you?
  
• Do you know if you’ll need more care later?
  
• Has your lawyer (if you’ve got one) reviewed the offer?
  

Lump sums are final. Once you take the deal, that’s it. Even if your knee gets worse down the line, you usually can’t go back and ask for more. That’s why it’s so important to be 100% sure before agreeing to anything.

Bottom Line

The average workers’ comp settlement for a meniscus tear usually falls between $7,500 and $35,000, depending on your specific injury, treatment, time off, and job impact. Surgery, long-term restrictions, or permanent damage can push it even higher.

If you’ve torn your meniscus at work, take the process seriously. 

Document everything, follow your doctor’s orders, and make sure you’re not settling too soon. 

A solid case backed by strong medical records and clear evidence of how the injury affected your life can make a big difference.

Thinking about settling soon? It’s always a good move to run it by someone who knows the system, just to be sure you’re not leaving money on the table.