Has an accident caused you a knee injury in Fresno, CA? Contact the top Fresno knee injury lawyer to seek compensation today.
Severe knee injuries often demand surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care that disrupt your work and daily life. Because the knee is such a complex joint, even minor trauma can lead to lasting pain, limited mobility, and permanent damage. The financial and emotional impact extends well beyond the initial medical bills.
At Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, our experienced personal injury attorneys represent knee injury victims across Fresno and the Central Valley. Our Fresno knee injury attorneys understand how insurance companies undervalue these claims and use proven strategies to counter their tactics. We work with orthopedic experts to document your full medical needs and future treatment costs, ensuring your case reflects the true extent of your injury.
With decades of experience and the resources to take on major insurers, our firm fights to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us for a free consultation and discover how we can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
When Do You Need a Fresno Knee Injury Lawyer?
If someone else was careless and hurt your knee, you should think about hiring a lawyer. Car accidents, slips and falls, accidents at work, and faulty products can all hurt your knees badly enough that you need expensive medical care.
Insurance companies often try to reduce the amount they have to pay for knee injuries, especially when surgery isn’t needed right away. They might say that your pain will go away quickly or that you were already hurt. A lawyer who has been around for a while will protect you from these tricks and make sure you get all the money you are owed.
Without proper care, many knee injuries can worsen over time. A small problem today could turn into a big one that needs surgery or joint replacement years later. We help you get money for both your current and future medical needs.
Contact us for a free consultation and discover how our Fresno knee injury attorneys can help you seek compensation and justice.
Common Types of Knee Injuries We Handle
Knee injuries range from minor sprains to complex fractures requiring multiple surgeries. Each type of injury presents unique challenges for proving damages and calculating fair compensation.
Ligament Tears and Ruptures
The knee contains four major ligaments that provide stability during movement. ACL tears are common in sports and car accidents, while MCL and LCL injuries often result from side impacts. PCL tears typically occur when the knee strikes a dashboard during a head-on collision.
Ligament injuries cause immediate pain and swelling. Your knee may feel unstable or give out when you try to walk. Complete tears usually require surgical reconstruction followed by months of physical therapy.
Meniscus Damage
The meniscus acts as a shock absorber. Tears often occur from sudden twisting motions in falls or workplace activities. While some tears heal with rest, others require arthroscopic surgery to remove or repair damaged tissue, increasing the complexity and value of the claim.
Fractures and Dislocations
Direct impacts can break bones around the knee joint. Patellar fractures occur when the kneecap strikes a hard surface, while tibial plateau fractures result from crushing forces. These injuries often require surgical repair with plates and screws.
Knee dislocations are medical emergencies that can damage blood vessels and nerves. They typically occur in high-energy accidents like motorcycle crashes or falls from height that can result in catastrophic injury.
Cartilage Damage
Damage to the cartilage, which cushions bone surfaces, leads to pain and doesn’t heal well. Conditions like Chondromalacia patella cause chronic pain and can lead to arthritis over time, necessitating long-term treatment plans.
What Causes Knee Injuries in Fresno?
Understanding how your injury occurred helps establish liability and build a strong compensation claim. Different types of accidents require different approaches to proving negligence.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car crashes cause knee injuries through dashboard impacts, pedal entrapment, and sudden deceleration forces. Rear-end collisions can drive your knee into the seat in front of you, while side impacts can twist the joint unnaturally.
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe knee trauma when riders are thrown from their bikes. The knee may strike the pavement or be crushed under the motorcycle’s weight.
Premises Liability Incidents
Property owners must maintain safe conditions for visitors. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, and debris can cause slip and fall accidents that damage the knee joint. Construction sites present additional hazards from equipment and materials.
Stairway accidents often result in knee injuries when victims fall forward or catch their foot. Broken handrails or missing steps increase the risk of serious harm.
Workplace Injuries
Many jobs require activities that stress the knee joint. Construction workers face risks from falls and heavy lifting. Healthcare workers develop knee problems from prolonged standing and patient transfers.
Repetitive motions can gradually damage knee structures over months or years. These cumulative trauma injuries may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits and third-party liability claims.
Product Defects
Defective ladders, scaffolding, and safety equipment can collapse without warning. Vehicle defects, such as brake failures or tire blowouts, can cause accidents that injure your knees. We investigate whether product malfunctions contributed to your injury.
Medical Treatment for Knee Injuries
Proper medical care is essential for both your health and your legal claim. Delaying treatment can worsen your injury and give insurance companies ammunition to dispute your damages.
Emergency Care
Seek immediate medical attention for severe injuries like visible deformity or inability to bear weight. Don’t ignore seemingly minor injuries that cause persistent pain or swelling, as serious conditions like ligament tears may not show immediate severe symptoms.
Diagnostic Testing
Doctors use X-rays for fractures and joint alignment, and MRI scans for soft tissue damage like ligament tears and cartilage defects. Arthroscopy can be used to look inside the joint for diagnosis and perform therapeutic procedures.
Treatment Options
Treatment ranges from conservative methods like rest, physical therapy, and injections to surgery for complete tears, displaced fractures, or severe damage. Surgery may include minimally invasive arthroscopy up to total knee replacement, with recovery times varying from weeks to months.
Proving Liability in Knee Injury Cases
Successful personal injury claims require proof that someone else’s negligence caused your injury. We investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to identify all responsible parties.
Gathering Evidence
We collect police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage. Crucially, medical records document the extent of your injuries and connect them to the incident. Expert witnesses are used to explain complex medical or technical issues.
Establishing Negligence
Negligence requires proving four elements: the defendant owed you a duty of care (e.g., safe driving, safe property), breached that duty, that breach caused your injury, and you suffered actual damages.
Comparative Fault
California follows pure comparative negligence rules. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your percentage of fault reduces your compensation.
For example, under comparative negligence, if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000. We work to minimize any fault attributed to you while maximizing the defendant’s responsibility.
Damages Available for Knee Injuries
Compensation in knee injury cases covers both economic and non-economic losses. The goal is to restore you to the position you would have been in without the injury.
Medical Expenses
You can recover costs for all medical treatment related to your knee injury. This includes emergency room visits, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and prescription medications. Future medical expenses are also recoverable if your injury requires ongoing care.
Medical equipment like crutches, braces, and wheelchairs is a compensable expense. Home modifications to accommodate mobility limitations may also be included in your damages.
Lost Income
Knee injuries often prevent you from working while you recover. You can claim compensation for wages lost during your treatment and rehabilitation period. If your injury causes permanent limitations, you may recover damages for reduced future earning capacity.
Self-employed individuals can claim lost business income and profits. We work with vocational experts to calculate the full impact of your injury on your earning ability.
Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages compensate you for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Knee injuries can cause chronic pain that affects sleep, mood, and daily activities. The amount varies based on the severity and duration of your symptoms.
Loss of consortium damages may be available if your injury affects your relationship with your spouse. These claims recognize the impact of your injury on your family life and intimate relationships.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
California law sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim, regardless of how strong your case might be.
Statute of Limitations
Personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the injury date. This deadline applies to most knee injury cases, including those involving car accidents, slip-and-falls, and product liability claims.
The discovery rule may extend this deadline in cases where the injury wasn’t immediately apparent. This typically applies to occupational injuries that develop gradually over time.
Government Claims
Special rules apply when suing government entities. You must file an administrative claim within six months of the injury. If the claim is denied, you may have a limited time to file a lawsuit, so consult an attorney promptly.
These short deadlines make it crucial to contact a Fresno knee injury attorney immediately after accidents involving government vehicles or public property.
Why Choose Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers?
Our firm has decades of experience handling knee injury cases throughout the Central Valley. We understand the unique challenges these cases present and have the resources to pursue maximum compensation.
Proven Track Record
We have successfully represented thousands of clients in personal injury cases. Our attorneys know how to build compelling cases that achieve favorable settlements and jury verdicts. We’re not afraid to take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation.
Our team includes attorneys who specialize in personal injury law. This specialization allows us to stay current on legal developments and medical advances that affect our clients’ cases.
Local Knowledge
We understand the Fresno legal system and have relationships with local medical providers, experts, and court personnel. This knowledge helps us navigate your case efficiently and effectively.
Our attorneys are familiar with the tactics insurance companies use in the Central Valley. We know which adjusters and defense lawyers you’re likely to encounter and how to counter their strategies.
Comprehensive Case Management
We handle every aspect of your case from investigation through resolution. This includes coordinating your medical care, dealing with insurance companies, and managing all legal paperwork and deadlines.
You’ll have direct access to your attorney throughout the process. We provide regular updates on your case status and explain essential developments in plain English.
No Upfront Costs
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also advance all case expenses, including expert witness fees and court costs.
This arrangement allows you to pursue justice regardless of your financial situation. It also ensures that our interests are aligned with yours – we only succeed when you do.
What to Expect During Your Case
Understanding the legal process helps reduce anxiety and allows you to make informed decisions about your case. Most knee injury cases follow a predictable pattern from initial consultation through resolution.
Initial Consultation
We begin with a detailed discussion of your accident and injuries. Bring all relevant documents. We evaluate your case, explain your options, and if we represent you, we immediately start the investigation, including sending preservation letters.
Investigation Phase
We conduct a thorough investigation to identify all liable parties and gather evidence. This may involve hiring accident reconstruction experts, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with medical professionals. This phase can take several weeks or months, and we will keep you informed of our progress.
Medical Treatment
You must continue following your doctor’s treatment recommendations. Insurance companies can use gaps in treatment to argue that your injury isn’t serious. We ensure your medical providers properly document your injuries and treatment for the legal claim.
Negotiations
Once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), we begin settlement negotiations. We present a comprehensive demand package detailing your injuries and damages. While most cases settle during negotiations, we are prepared to file a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation.
Fresno Knee Injury Lawyer FAQs
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Had Previous Knee Problems?
Yes, you can still recover damages even if you had pre-existing knee conditions. California law allows compensation for aggravation of existing injuries. We work to prove how the accident worsened your condition beyond its natural progression.
The key is to demonstrate that your symptoms worsened after the accident. Medical records showing your condition before and after the incident help establish the extent of aggravation.
How Much Is My Knee Injury Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injury, the extent of your medical treatment, and how the injury affects your daily life. Cases requiring surgery typically have higher values than those treated conservatively.
We evaluate each case individually based on your specific circumstances. Factors we consider include your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future treatment needs.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?
You should never accept a settlement offer without first consulting with an experienced attorney. Insurance companies often make lowball offers, hoping you’ll accept quickly before understanding the full extent of your injuries.
Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot pursue additional compensation later. We review any offers you receive and advise whether they adequately compensate you for your losses.
Contact a Fresno Knee Injury Lawyer Today
Don’t let a knee injury derail your life and finances. Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers fights for the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery.
We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to get started on your path to justice.
Our experienced attorneys are ready to handle your case with the skill and dedication you deserve. We understand the challenges you’re facing and are here to help you through this difficult time.
