Work-Related Knee Injury in California
Riverside, California
Experienced Ankle Knee Injury Attorneys in Riverside, CA
If your knee injury happened at work or was made worse by your job duties, you have the right to seek medical treatment and file for workers’ compensation benefits under California law.
Knee injuries go far beyond soreness or stiffness. A torn ligament, damaged cartilage, or worn joint can make it painful or impossible to walk, stand, climb stairs, or perform essential job duties.
California workers’ compensation laws are designed to protect injured workers, but employers and insurance companies often dispute or delay these claims. It’s the employer’s legal duty to maintain safe working conditions and respond promptly when injuries occur. When they fail, they can be held accountable under Código Laboral de California § 6400.
At Fontes Law Group, our experienced workers’ comp lawyers act fast. We’ve helped hundreds of clients with knee injuries. If your claim was denied or minimized, we’re ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why Clients Choose Fontes Law Group
Experience. Compassion. Results.
We know what injured workers are up against: delayed care, denied claims, and pressure to return to work too soon. That’s where we come in.
- Decades of experience with California workers’ compensation claims
- Trusted by injured workers across Riverside and Santa Ana
- Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff available
- You pay nothing unless we win your case
Meet Rosa Duarte
Experienced Workers’ Compensation Representative
Scope of Knee Injuries in the Workplace
Knee injuries are some of the most common and disabling injuries in the workplace. They affect workers across industries including construction, healthcare, warehouse, agriculture, retail, and more.
Common types of work-related knee injuries include:
- Meniscus or cartilage tears
- ACL, MCL, or other ligament damage
- Knee dislocation or fracture
- Patellar tendonitis or bursitis
- Chronic knee strain from prolonged kneeling or lifting
- Osteoarthritis or degeneration caused by repetitive motion
Understanding Knee Injury Claims in California
Knee injuries may be caused by a single traumatic event, like a fall or misstep, or develop gradually through cumulative trauma. California’s workers’ compensation system recognizes both. Under California Labor Code § 3208.1, repetitive stress injuries are just as valid as sudden ones.
You may have a claim if your job involves:
- Repeated bending, squatting, or kneeling
- Lifting or carrying heavy loads
- Climbing ladders, stairs, or scaffolding
- Long hours of standing or walking on hard floors
- Operating heavy machinery or industrial tools
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 94,000 knee injuries occur each year in private industry jobs, accounting for a significant portion of all work-related injuries that lead to time away from work. Jobs in construction, warehousing, transportation, and healthcare report especially high rates of knee trauma.
Even if your pain started small, a job-related knee injury can worsen fast. If your injury is keeping you from doing your job or getting worse while you continue working, it’s time to file a claim.
Common Knee Injury Cases and Red Flags
Workplace Scenarios We Handle:
- Slips, trips, and falls that lead to a sudden injury
- Knee trauma from lifting, twisting, or misstepping
- Repetitive stress in warehouse, custodial, or healthcare roles
- Delayed injuries aggravated by job duties over time
- Pressure to return to work before full recovery
Signs Your Knee Injury Requires Legal Help:
- Swelling, instability, or difficulty walking
- Sharp pain when bending, lifting, or climbing
- Popping, locking, or weakness in the joint
- Diagnosis of ligament or cartilage damage
- Your claim was denied or your care is being delayed
- Your employer says the injury isn’t work-related
If any of these apply, Fontes Law Group is ready to step in and fight for you.
Typical Timelines:
- Claim filing and medical referral: 1 to 2 weeks
- Diagnosis and documentation: 1 to 3 months
- Negotiation and settlement: 3 to 6 months
- Hearings or appeals: 6 or more months if contested
Understanding Employer Duties and Violations
Employers in California are legally required to provide a safe and hazard-free workplace. Failing to do so may result in legal consequences under California labor and workers’ compensation laws.
Employer Responsibilities Include:
- Providing proper safety gear and flooring such as anti-fatigue mats, kneepads, or slip-resistant shoes where appropriate
- Reducing or rotating tasks that require excessive kneeling, squatting, or climbing
- Fixing wet, uneven, or cluttered work areas that increase fall and misstep risks
- Promptly reporting all injuries and initiating the workers’ compensation claim process
- Maintaining active workers’ compensation coverage as mandated by California Labor Code § 3700
Common Violations We See:
- Ignoring or refusing to document injury reports
- Denying timely access to medical evaluations or orthopedic testing
- Dismissing knee injuries as age-related or pre-existing
- Pressuring employees to return before they are medically cleared
- Retaliating against employees for filing a claim or requesting accommodations
At Fontes Law Group, we investigate these violations thoroughly. If your employer or insurance provider is delaying care, denying benefits, or trying to shift blame, we step in to protect your rights and hold them legally accountable.
Proving Your Case in California
To win your case, we must prove:
- Your knee injury is legitimate and medically documented
- Your job duties were a significant contributing factor
- Your employer or insurer failed to fulfill their legal obligations
We use job descriptions, ergonomic evidence, expert reports, and treatment records to build a case that’s hard to dispute.
Compensation for Knee Injury Claims
A successful knee injury claim under California workers’ compensation law can help cover both immediate medical expenses and long-term financial needs related to your recovery. At Fontes Law Group, we work to secure the full range of benefits you are entitled to, not just what the insurance company is willing to offer.
Medical Treatment
- Emergency room visits and diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans to assess the extent of your injury and rule out fractures or ligament tears
- Surgical procedures including ACL, MCL, or meniscus repair for injuries that cannot heal with conservative treatment
- Ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation to rebuild strength, restore mobility, and support long-term recovery
- Bracing, injections, or assistive devices such as knee supports, cortisone injections, or mobility aids to manage pain and maintain stability during treatment
These treatments must be fully covered under workers’ comp, including follow-up care and specialist referrals.
Wage Loss and Disability
- Temporary disability benefits to replace lost income while you’re unable to work due to surgery, recovery, or doctor-imposed restrictions
- Permanent disability compensation if your knee injury results in lasting functional limitations that reduce your ability to return to your previous job or earn at the same level
We ensure your disability rating is fair and based on proper medical evaluation—not minimized by an insurance adjuster.
Additional Support
- Vocational retraining or job reassignment if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous position and you need new training to remain in the workforce
- Lump-sum settlement that compensates for future medical costs, loss of earning capacity, or permanent impairment
If a third party contributed to your injury, we may file a separate personal injury claim to pursue compensation for pain, suffering, and other damages not covered by workers’ comp.
FAQs About Knee Injury Cases
Q: Can I file a claim if I aggravated a pre-existing knee injury at work?
Yes. If your job made your condition worse, you may still qualify for benefits.
Q: Can I receive benefits even if I returned to work?
Yes. If you are working modified duty or earning less due to your injury, you may still be entitled to compensation.
Q: How long does it take a judge to approve a workers' comp settlement in California?
Once a settlement is submitted, a California workers’ compensation judge typically reviews and approves it within 5 to 14 days, depending on the completeness of the documents and court backlog.
Q: What if my employer is ignoring my injury?
That’s a violation of state law. We can take legal action and get your case back on track.
Q: How much does it cost to hire Fontes Law Group?
You pay nothing unless we win. There are no upfront fees.
Helpful Resources for California Workers
California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
California Labor Code – Workers’ Comp Requirements
Cal/OSHA Workplace Safety
Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB)
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Knee injuries can take you out of work and off your feet for months. If your employer or their insurer won’t approve care, delay your claim, or try to avoid responsibility, Fontes Law Group is here to protect your rights and get you the support you need.
Schedule a free consultation today and let us fight for your recovery.