Knee Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) in NY Workers' Comp

The leg is worth 288 weeks. A knee SLU is a percentage of that — paid as a lump sum.

TL;DR

• Knee SLU is calculated as a percentage of the 288-week leg value under WCL §15(3).
• 2018 NY Impairment Guidelines drive the percentage from range of motion, surgical history, and instability findings.
• Meniscectomy, ACL/PCL reconstruction, and knee replacement each carry minimum SLU values under the Guidelines.
• A 30% SLU on the leg = 86.4 weeks of indemnity, paid as a lump sum at your WC rate.

What a knee SLU pays

The leg is scheduled at 288 weeks under WCL §15(3). Knee impairment is valued as a percentage of the leg. The math:

SLU % × 288 weeks × WC rate = lump sum (less weeks already paid as TTD/TPD)

Example: 30% SLU on a $900/week rate = 0.30 × 288 × $900 = $77,760.

The SLU Estimator runs this calculation with the 2018 Guidelines.

How the percentage is calculated

Range of motion. Knee flexion and extension measured against normal benchmarks. The Guidelines table converts flexion contracture (lack of full extension) and reduced flexion arc into defect values.

Surgical minimums. The 2018 Guidelines establish minimum SLU values for specific procedures:

• Meniscectomy (partial or total) — minimum SLU on the leg
• Meniscus repair — separate minimum
• ACL reconstruction — minimum varies by graft type and stability outcome
• PCL reconstruction — separate minimum
• MCL/LCL repair — minimums in the Guidelines
• Cartilage procedures (microfracture, OATS, ACI) — minimums
• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) — significant minimum, often the controlling number for replacement cases
• Unicompartmental knee replacement — separate minimum
• Patellofemoral procedures — minimums

When a claimant has had one of these procedures, the carrier or its IME cannot drop the SLU below the Guidelines minimum.

Instability. Documented anterior, posterior, varus, or valgus instability adds to the percentage. The Lachman, anterior drawer, posterior drawer, varus/valgus stress, and pivot shift findings on physical exam matter.

Special considerations. Hardware, persistent effusion, atrophy, chronic pain syndromes, gait disturbance — each can add to the percentage.

Apportionment. Prior knee injury or surgery raises apportionment questions. The percentage attributable to this injury is sometimes less than the total impairment.

What I see go wrong in knee SLU cases

Surgical minimum ignored. IME reports occasionally give SLU percentages below the Guidelines minimum for the procedure performed. This is improper and correctable.

Instability not tested. A knee ligament injury without documented stability testing on the IME is missing critical data. The IME Red Flag Checker flags reports that omit instability testing.

ROM measured without a goniometer. Visual estimation of ROM, common in some IME reports, is not Guidelines-compliant.

Apportionment to “wear and tear.” Generic apportionment to degenerative findings without a specific medical opinion attributing a percentage to the prior condition.

Total knee arthroplasty undervalued. TKA cases are sometimes underrated through “good outcome” framing. The Guidelines minimum applies regardless of subjective outcome.

Common knee injury patterns by occupation

• FDNY EMS — jumping out of the ambulance, stair-chair work, patient lifts on uneven surfaces
• Correction officers — stair work, restraint/takedown injuries, foot pursuits
• MTA / NYCT — boarding/disembarking work platforms, track work, stair work in stations
• NYCHA / municipal maintenance — walk-up stair work, ladder work, kneeling for repairs
• Construction — falls, kneeling on hard surfaces, jumping from heights
• Restaurant — slips on wet kitchen floors, long shifts standing

What to do next

Run the SLU Estimator — knee is one of the body parts the tool handles with the 2018 Guidelines. If your IME report concerns you, run the IME Red Flag Checker.

Contact me directly for a free consultation on knee SLU value and IME challenges.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a NY knee SLU worth?

A NY knee SLU = SLU percentage × 288 weeks × weekly WC rate. A 30% SLU at $1,000/week produces $86,400. A 50% SLU at the same rate produces $144,000. Knee replacement cases routinely produce SLU percentages of 40% or more.

What is the minimum SLU for ACL reconstruction?

Under the 2018 Guidelines, ACL reconstruction carries a minimum SLU on the leg that varies by graft type and stability outcome. The minimum applies regardless of subjective outcome. The Guidelines also list minimums for meniscectomy, meniscus repair, and other knee procedures.

Does total knee replacement get SLU?

Yes — and at a significant percentage. Total knee arthroplasty carries one of the larger Guidelines minimums for the leg. IME reports calling a TKA patient ‘fully recovered’ or rating them below the minimum should be challenged.

How is knee instability factored into SLU?

Documented anterior, posterior, varus, or valgus instability — based on Lachman, anterior drawer, posterior drawer, and stress testing — adds to the SLU percentage. IME reports that fail to test instability on a knee ligament injury are missing essential data.

Related pages

• Schedule Loss of Use — shoulder
• Schedule Loss of Use — foot and ankle
• Schedule Loss of Use — leg
• What is a Schedule Loss of Use award?
• What is an IME and can I refuse one?
• Ladder falls