My dilemma, need your opinion

[kwpnjumper55]

So back in November, I was at work and torn the cartilage in my knee badly( bucket handle tear of the meniscus). I had surgery in late January to remove the torn cartilage because it could not be repaired. I am still in chronic pain and my knee is slowly getting worse because the femur is no longer staying in place because of the missing cartilage. My anterior cruciate ligament is being stretched out ( was replaced in my early 20's) and it doesn't work for my knee anymore. My orthopedist wants to replace my ACL again to help stabilize the knee but doesn't think that L&I will pay for it since it is not technically torn. Do I a) get a lawyer to help me fight for the ACL replacement or b) let it go, and wait until I get private insurance to pay for it.
Keep in mind that my knee is debilitating. Chronic pain, will never be able to run, crouch, or lift heavy objects again. I will need a knee replacement in 10-15 years, I'm only 28 with 2 kids

[jennlin]

how much would it cost with your own insurance? is that cost super high versus getting a lawyer? i bet if you got a good lawyer, you can get them to pay for it, but the lawyer might cost more than just getting it done yourself. i'd probably submit my bills to my employer, even if you don't get a lawyer. you never know.

[Deleted]

Holy....Yikes! Oh I'm so sorry! I would lean towards the lawyer if you can afford it since while the ACL isn't torn, it needing to be replaced to stablize the knee is a direct result of the torn cartilage issue. If that cartilage hadn't torn, it wouldn't have been removed and the knew wouldn't need stabilization now.

[kwpnjumper55]

I am going to have the dr submit the request but I need a contingency plan just in case