What Is the Average Settlement for a Slip-and-Fall Knee Injury?

Posted in Slip and Fall Accidents on February 25, 2026

The knee is the body’s largest joint, with a complex structure of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A knee injury is not only painful but also debilitating, with expensive consequences. But how much is the average settlement for a successful slip-and-fall claim after a knee injury? While most settlements fall within the range of $10,000 to $100,000, the amount an individual may expect depends on the unique circumstances of their case, including the severity of the injury and damages, how the slip-and-fall happened, and who caused or contributed to the injury under New York Chapter 8 Section 1411.

Contact a NYC slip and fall lawyer today to pursue financial compensation — call (212) 564-2800.

What Causes Slip-and-Fall Knee Injuries?

A slip-and-fall accident occurs when a slippery or uneven surface interferes with a person’s footfall or gait, causing one or both feet to abruptly slide, throwing the body off balance. This often results in a fall on one or both knees. The most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include the following:

Wet floors
Icy steps and walkways
Uneven floorboards
Loose, rolled, or torn carpets and floormats
Uneven, cracked, or broken pavement
Dangerous debris or clutter
Loose gravel
Dangerous staircases
Unmarked floor level changes
Inadequate lighting

A sudden slip or trip often causes the knee to twist painfully during the fall before one or both knees suffer blunt force trauma from the impact with the ground or floor.

Common Types of Knee Injuries In Slip-and-Fall Accidents

The Mayo Clinic describes knee injuries as any problems caused to the bones, cartilage, tendons, or ligaments of the knee. Common knee injuries include the following:

Torn ACL or MCL, or the ligaments on each side of the knee
A meniscus tear, or damage to the cartilage within the knee
Dislocated patella (knee cap)
Patella fracture
Tendon tears
Contusions or bruising

Knee injuries are painful and interfere with mobility. Some types of knee injuries require surgery to correct. It’s also common for those recovering from a knee injury to require physical therapy as the knee heals.

What Damages Can I Recover In a New York Slip-And-Fall Accident?

The total settlement for a knee injury after a slip-and-fall depends on the severity of the injury, whether recovery requires surgery and physical therapy, and whether the knee injury causes the victim to miss work. Depending on the circumstances, a successful slip-and-fall accident claim for a knee injury could recover compensation such as the following:

Reimbursement for medical expenses
Anticipated future medical expenses
Out-of-pocket injury-related costs
Lost earnings
Future income loss
Diminished future earning ability
Compensation for pain and suffering
Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life if the injury is severe and causes the victim to lose their ability to pursue activities that are important to them, like athletic activities, sports, jogging, tennis, marathon running, or dancing

An NYC premises liability lawyer carefully calculates the injury victim’s past and future damages by examining their medical report, totalling their medical expenses, and consulting with a medical expert to determine the level and duration of the pain they can expect to feel and the injury’s impact on their future earning ability.

Most slip-and-fall accident claims for knee injuries and other injuries are resolved through a settlement from a property owner’s insurance. Only about 4% of injury claims for compensation require a trial due to an insurance company’s wrongful denial or unreasonable delay of a valid slip-and-fall knee injury claim.