Hurt Your Knee At Work? Here’s What to Do Next

Suffering a knee injury at work can be painful, stressful, and confusing. Whether you slipped, fell, twisted your knee, or sustained repetitive stress damage, knowing what to do next is crucial to protecting your health and your rights when you have hurt your knee at work. Knee injuries are common in physically demanding jobs—construction, nursing, warehouse work, and even office roles that require heavy lifting or prolonged standing.

At SoCal Workers Comp, we understand how overwhelming a workplace knee injury can be. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you take the right actions—from seeking medical care to filing a workers’ compensation claim—so you can focus on recovery without financial strain.

3 Crucial Steps When You Hurt Your Knee at Work 

If you have hurt your knee at work, it is crucial to take some steps to ensure you get the compensation and benefits you both need and deserve to heal and reach a place of closure. Here are the 3 steps you should take:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
2. Document Everything Thoroughly
3. File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Related Article: Demystifying Worker’s Comp: How Are Workers’ Comp Benefits Calculated in California?

Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention 

If you’ve hurt your knee at work, your health comes first. Even if the pain seems minor at first, knee injuries can worsen without proper treatment. Common work-related knee injuries include:

• Sprains & strains (ligament or muscle damage)
• Meniscus tears (cartilage damage from twisting)
• Tendonitis (overuse inflammation)
• Fractures or dislocations (from falls or impacts)
• Bursitis (fluid-filled sac inflammation from kneeling)

What to do:
1. Report to your supervisor – Inform your employer right away, even if the injury seems minor.
2, Visit a doctor – Go to an approved workers’ comp physician or urgent care if necessary.
3. Follow medical advice – Delaying treatment can hurt your recovery and your claim.

Step 2: Document Everything Thoroughly

Strong documentation strengthens your workers’ compensation case. Here’s what you need:

• Incident Report – Ensure your employer files an official report. Get a copy.
• Medical Records – Keep all doctor’s notes, diagnoses, and treatment plans.

Why this matters: Insurance companies may downplay your injury. Proper records prove your case.

Related Article: Navigating the Workers’ Compensation Process: A Guide When Your Claim is Accepted

Step 3: File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

California law requires employers to provide workers’ comp benefits for job-related injuries. Filing a claim ensures coverage for:

• Medical treatment (surgery, physical therapy, medications)
• Temporary disability payments (if you miss work)
• Permanent disability benefits (if your knee doesn’t fully heal to 100%)
• A supplemental job displacement benefit voucher (if you have permanent work restrictions your employer cannot accommodate)

How to file:

1. Submit a claim form (DWC-1) – Your employer must provide this.
2. Meet deadlines – Report the injury within 30 days; file a claim within 1 year.
3. Follow up – If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal.
   

Related Article: How Do You Apply for Workers’ Compensation in California? A Step-by-Step Guide

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Claim When You Hurt Your Knee At Work

Many injured workers unintentionally weaken their cases by:

Delaying medical care – Insurance may argue your injury isn’t serious.
Not reporting the injury promptly – Employers may dispute it happened at work.

Settling too quickly – Knee injuries often need long-term care—don’t accept a lowball offer.

Related Article: What Kind of Benefits Can I Expect if My Workers’ Compensation Claim is Approved?

When to Hire a Workers’ Comp Attorney After You Have Hurt Your Knee At Work

While some claims go smoothly, many injured workers face:

• Denied or delayed claims
• Pressure to return to work too soon
• Disputes over treatment or disability ratings

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can:

🔹 Fight for your full benefits
🔹 Handle paperwork and deadlines
🔹 Negotiate with insurers
🔹 Appeal denied claims

Related Article: What’s the Cost of a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

Hurt Your Knee at Work? The Most Essential Step is Scheduling a Free Consultation.

A knee injury shouldn’t leave you in pain and financial stress. If you have hurt your knee at work, it’s crucial to get expert help to navigate the complicated California workers’ compensation process. At SoCal Workers Comp, we help California workers get the medical care and compensation they deserve. 

Contact us today for a free consultation—let’s discuss your rights and next steps.

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