Reviewed against NYS WCB primary sources · Last reviewed August 2026
Injury guide
Workers' comp for a knee injury in New York
Meniscus tears, ACL injuries, and permanent knee damage are evaluated as a Schedule Loss of Use of the leg in New York — up to 288 weeks of benefits.
Key facts
- The knee is evaluated under the leg schedule: 288 weeks for a 100% loss.
- Award = 288 × your loss-of-use % × your weekly rate.
- At the current maximum rate, a 100% leg loss is worth up to $352,057.
- Arthroscopic surgery, bracing, and therapy are fully covered.
How a knee award is figured
At maximum medical improvement a physician rates the loss of use of the leg. That percentage times 288 weeks times your weekly rate is your Schedule Loss of Use award.
Example: a 25% loss of use of the leg = 0.25 × 288 = 72 weeks. At the current maximum rate, roughly $88,014.
What's a settlement worth?A permanent injury like this is usually resolved with a Section 32 settlement. The starting point is the indemnity value (the weeks above × your weekly rate) plus future medical — estimate it with the settlement calculator.
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