Knee and Leg Injuries at Work: California Workers’ Comp Guide

Knee and leg injuries are some of the most common—and most disabling—workplace injuries. Whether you slipped on a wet floor, twisted your knee while lifting, or developed chronic leg pain from years of standing, you may be entitled to medical care and financial compensation under California workers’ comp law.

At Employees First Labor Law, we fight for injured workers across California to make sure they get the treatment, wage replacement, and permanent disability payments they deserve. Here’s what to know if you suffered a leg or knee injury on the job.

🦵 Common Work-Related Knee and Leg Injuries

Injuries to the lower extremities can seriously affect your ability to walk, stand, or perform your job duties. Some of the most common knee and leg injuries we see include:

Meniscus tears
ACL, MCL, or PCL sprains and ruptures
Patellar tendonitis or knee bursitis
Fractures of the tibia, fibula, or kneecap
Hamstring or quadriceps muscle strains
Shin splints or compartment syndrome
Varicose veins or circulatory issues from prolonged standing
Nerve damage or chronic pain syndromes
Amputations and crush injuries (in severe cases)

Whether caused by a sudden accident or cumulative trauma, these injuries can entitle you to workers’ compensation benefits.

🏥 What Benefits Can You Receive?

If your leg or knee injury is work-related, you may be entitled to:

Medical care at no cost to you
Temporary disability payments (lost wages while recovering)
Permanent disability compensation for lasting impairment
Vocational retraining if you can’t return to your usual job
Supplemental Job Displacement Benefits (up to $6,000 retraining voucher)
Mileage reimbursement for travel to appointments
Surgical treatment if required (e.g., knee replacement or ligament repair)

⛑ Common Causes of Knee and Leg Injuries at Work

These injuries can happen in virtually any job—whether you’re a construction worker, delivery driver, nurse, teacher, or warehouse employee. Common workplace causes include:

Slips and falls on uneven or wet surfaces
Lifting heavy objects improperly
Awkward twisting or pivoting
Falling from a ladder or scaffold
Operating machinery or forklifts
Repetitive strain from standing or walking long shifts
Motor vehicle accidents while working

No matter how it happened, if your injury arose out of and in the course of employment (AOE/COE), you may have a valid claim.

⚠️ What If the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim?

It’s common for insurance carriers to deny knee or leg injury claims by arguing:

The injury was pre-existing
You weren’t hurt at work
There’s no objective injury on imaging (e.g., X-ray or MRI)
You didn’t report it right away

Don’t let them intimidate you. At EFLL, we know how to build strong cases, fight denials, and get you the benefits you’re owed. If your claim was denied, click here to learn what to do next.

🧠 Can Knee or Leg Injuries Cause Psychiatric Symptoms?

Yes. Long-term pain, inability to work, or a life-changing amputation can cause serious mental health effects. You may be entitled to additional benefits for:

Depression
Anxiety
Chronic pain syndrome
Adjustment disorder

We can help you pursue both physical and psychiatric treatment under workers’ compensation.

📅 Time Limits Matter—Don’t Wait

California law generally requires you to file a workers’ comp claim within one year of the injury. But you must also:

Report the injury to your employer within 30 days
Request a claim form (DWC-1) and submit it ASAP
Get a medical report from a treating doctor

Even if your pain started gradually or got worse over time, you may still qualify. These are known as cumulative trauma claims, and we handle them every day.

💪 How EFLL Fights for Injured Workers

At Employees First Labor Law, we:

Connect you with qualified orthopedic and pain specialists
Challenge insurance company denials and delays
Maximize your temporary and permanent disability payments
Fight for lifetime future care if your injury is serious
Handle everything from forms to hearings—you focus on healing

We’ve recovered millions for injured workers across California—and we don’t get paid unless we win for you.

📞 Don’t Let a Leg or Knee Injury Destroy Your Career

If you’re in pain, struggling to walk, or unable to work due to a job injury, you deserve answers—and action. Let us help you get the benefits and treatment you need to move forward.

Contact Employees First Labor Law today for a free case evaluation.

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