Knee Injury Workers' Comp Settlements in California
Knee injuries are among the most common workplace injuries in California, especially for workers in construction, healthcare, warehousing, and delivery. The average knee injury settlement ranges from $35,000 to $100,000 or more, with total knee replacement cases frequently exceeding $100,000. This guide breaks down settlement values for every type of knee injury and explains what drives the value of your claim.
Knee Injury Settlement Ranges by Type
The value of a knee injury workers' comp claim depends heavily on the specific diagnosis, treatment required, and resulting permanent impairment. Here are the typical settlement ranges for the most common knee injuries we see in California workers' comp cases.
| Injury Type | Typical Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Sprain / Strain | $15,000 - $35,000 | Conservative treatment, low PD rating (3-10%), full recovery expected |
| Meniscus Tear (Partial Meniscectomy) | $30,000 - $60,000 | Arthroscopic surgery to trim torn cartilage, PD rating (8-18%), risk of future arthritis |
| Meniscus Tear (Repair) | $35,000 - $65,000 | Arthroscopic repair of cartilage, longer recovery, PD rating (10-20%) |
| ACL Reconstruction | $50,000 - $90,000 | Major surgery, graft reconstruction, PD rating (15-28%), long recovery, instability risk |
| MCL / PCL Tear | $35,000 - $70,000 | Surgical repair if severe, moderate PD rating (10-22%), stability affected |
| Multiple Ligament Injury (ACL + Meniscus) | $60,000 - $110,000 | Combined injuries, complex surgery, high PD rating (20-35%), significant restrictions |
| Total Knee Replacement | $80,000 - $180,000+ | Major surgery, PD rating (25-40%+), permanent restrictions, future revision surgery likely |
Important
These ranges are general estimates. Your actual settlement depends on your specific PD rating, age, occupation, earnings, and settlement type. Consult with an experienced workers' comp attorney before accepting any offer to ensure it reflects the full value of your claim.
Meniscus Tear Settlements: The Most Common Knee Claim
Meniscus tears are the most common knee injury in workers' comp claims. The meniscus is the C-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee joint, and it tears frequently from twisting injuries, squatting, or kneeling. Meniscus tears are especially common in workers who:
- Kneel frequently (carpet installers, tile workers, plumbers)
- Climb ladders and stairs repeatedly (construction, maintenance)
- Walk on uneven surfaces (landscapers, agricultural workers)
- Stand for long periods on hard floors (warehouse workers, retail)
- Twist and pivot while carrying loads (nursing, delivery)
Partial Meniscectomy vs. Meniscus Repair
The type of surgery performed significantly affects settlement value. A partial meniscectomy -- where the surgeon trims away the torn portion of cartilage -- is the more common procedure. Recovery is faster (4-6 weeks), but removing cartilage accelerates the development of arthritis. Settlement values typically range from $30,000 to $60,000.
A meniscus repair -- where the surgeon stitches the torn cartilage back together -- preserves more of the meniscus but requires a longer recovery (3-6 months). Repair cases may have slightly higher settlement values ($35,000-$65,000) because the longer recovery means more temporary disability and the repair itself can fail, requiring additional surgery.
Long-Term Risk: Post-Traumatic Arthritis
One of the most important long-term considerations for meniscus tear cases is the risk of post-traumatic knee arthritis. A knee that has had meniscus surgery -- especially a partial meniscectomy where cartilage was removed -- is significantly more likely to develop arthritis within 10-20 years. This can eventually lead to knee replacement. When settling your case, make sure the potential for future arthritis and additional surgery is factored into the settlement value, especially if you are choosing a Compromise & Release that waives future medical care.
ACL Reconstruction Settlements
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are among the most serious knee injuries, often requiring surgical reconstruction with a graft from the hamstring or patellar tendon. ACL injuries typically occur from sudden deceleration, pivoting, or direct impact -- common in construction falls, delivery work, and jobs involving uneven terrain.
ACL Reconstruction: $50,000 - $90,000
- PD Rating: Typically 15-28%, reflecting the severity of reconstruction and residual instability
- Recovery Time: 6-12 months, with extensive physical therapy. Full return to heavy physical work may not be possible.
- Work Restrictions: Often permanent restrictions on squatting, kneeling, climbing, and running. This is devastating for workers in physical occupations.
- Graft Considerations: Patellar tendon grafts may cause anterior knee pain at the harvest site. Hamstring grafts may cause weakness. Both can add to the impairment rating.
- Combined Injuries: ACL tears frequently occur with meniscus tears or MCL sprains ("the unhappy triad"). Combined injuries significantly increase settlement value.
Knee Replacement Settlements
Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) represents the highest-value category for knee injury settlements. When a work injury -- or the cumulative effect of years of physical labor -- leads to severe arthritis requiring joint replacement, the settlement reflects both the significant surgery and the permanent consequences.
Knee Replacement: $80,000 - $180,000+
- PD Rating: Typically 25-40% or higher. The AMA Guides assign specific impairment values for knee replacement that are inherently high.
- Permanent Restrictions: No kneeling, limited squatting, weight limits on lifting, no impact activities (running, jumping). These restrictions effectively end careers in most physical occupations.
- Future Medical Needs: Prosthetic knees last approximately 15-20 years before revision surgery is needed. The cost of a revision can exceed $50,000-$80,000 in medical bills, making the value of open future medical care substantial.
- Settlement Type: Stipulations are often strongly recommended for knee replacement cases to preserve the right to future revision surgery and ongoing care under Labor Code §4600.
Factors That Affect Your Knee Injury Settlement
Your Permanent Disability Rating
Your PD rating under Labor Code §4660 is the primary driver of your settlement value. For knee injuries, the evaluating physician measures range of motion (flexion and extension), stability (ligament laxity tests), strength, and any surgical changes to determine your Whole Person Impairment (WPI). This WPI is then adjusted for your age, occupation, and future earning capacity.
Your Occupation
Workers in physical jobs receive higher PD ratings for the same knee injury than sedentary workers. A construction laborer with an ACL reconstruction and permanent squatting/kneeling restriction will receive a much higher rating than an accountant with the same surgery because the restrictions have a greater impact on the laborer's ability to perform their job.
Your Age
Older workers receive higher PD ratings because they have less time to retrain or adapt. This is especially relevant in knee injury cases because many knee conditions worsen with age, and older workers are more likely to eventually need knee replacement.
Surgery vs. Conservative Treatment
Surgical knee cases almost always have higher PD ratings and therefore higher settlements than non-surgical cases. If your treating physician recommends surgery and the insurance company denies it through Utilization Review, appeal the decision through Independent Medical Review under Labor Code §4610.
Apportionment
If you have prior knee injuries or degenerative conditions, the insurance company will argue for apportionment under Labor Code §4663 -- claiming that a percentage of your disability is not work-related. This is especially common in knee replacement cases where the insurer argues age-related arthritis played a role. Challenge unfair apportionment with medical evidence showing that work caused or significantly contributed to your condition.
Real Knee Injury Settlement Scenarios
Scenario 1: Meniscus Tear -- Partial Meniscectomy
Worker: 39-year-old delivery driver. Twisted knee stepping out of delivery truck. MRI showed medial meniscus tear. Had arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Returned to full duty after 6 weeks.
PD Rating: 12% (moderate occupation group, younger age)
Settlement: $38,000 via Stipulations with open future medical care. The open medical preserved the right to future treatment if post-traumatic arthritis develops.
Scenario 2: ACL Reconstruction + Meniscus Repair
Worker: 44-year-old warehouse worker. Slipped on wet floor and suffered ACL tear plus medial meniscus tear. Had ACL reconstruction with hamstring graft and meniscus repair. Could not return to warehouse work due to permanent restrictions.
PD Rating: 28% combined rating (heavy occupation group, combined injuries, moderate FEC impact)
Settlement: $82,000 via C&R, plus $6,000 SJDB voucher and $5,000 return-to-work supplement. The combined injuries and inability to return to warehouse work drove the high settlement value.
Scenario 3: Total Knee Replacement
Worker: 57-year-old concrete finisher. Decades of kneeling on concrete led to severe bilateral knee arthritis. Filed cumulative trauma claim. Required total knee replacement on right knee, with left knee likely to follow.
PD Rating: 36% (very heavy occupation, older age, high FEC rank) with 20% apportionment to pre-existing degeneration -- adjusted PD of 29%.
Settlement: $155,000 via Stipulations with open future medical care. The stipulated settlement preserved the right to future knee replacement on the left side and revision of the right side, which could be worth $150,000+ in future medical treatment alone.
Maximizing Your Knee Injury Settlement
- Wait for MMI. Do not settle until your treating physician says you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement. Settling while you are still recovering almost always undervalues your case.
- Complete all recommended treatment. Get the surgery, physical therapy, and injections your doctor recommends. Each treatment builds the medical record and can increase your PD rating.
- Report all knee limitations to your evaluator. Problems with stairs, kneeling, squatting, prolonged walking, standing, sleeping, and getting in/out of vehicles all matter. Do not minimize your symptoms during the QME or AME evaluation.
- Challenge apportionment. If the insurance company blames your knee condition on "wear and tear" or "aging," push back with medical evidence that your work was a substantial contributing factor.
- Consider the long game. Knee injuries often worsen over time. A meniscus tear today could become a knee replacement in 15 years. Factor this into your settlement decision, especially when choosing between C&R and Stipulations.
- Hire a workers' comp attorney. Attorneys understand the nuances of knee injury PD ratings and regularly negotiate settlements significantly higher than what unrepresented workers receive. Use our settlement calculator for a preliminary estimate, then consult with an attorney for a professional evaluation.
For detailed information about knee injury workers' comp claims, visit our knee injury workers' comp page. To understand how your PD rating is calculated, read our guide on how PD ratings work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a knee injury in California?
The average California workers' comp knee injury settlement ranges from $35,000 to $100,000 or more. Meniscus tears typically settle between $30,000 and $60,000, ACL reconstructions between $50,000 and $90,000, and knee replacements between $80,000 and $180,000+. The exact amount depends on your PD rating, surgery type, age, occupation, and the extent of permanent limitations.
How much is a meniscus tear worth in workers' comp?
A meniscus tear workers' comp settlement in California typically ranges from $30,000 to $60,000. Partial meniscectomy (trimming the torn cartilage) cases settle at the lower end, while meniscus repair cases tend to be worth more. If a meniscus tear leads to early-onset arthritis or eventual knee replacement, the total settlement value increases significantly.
Does a knee replacement increase my workers' comp settlement?
Yes, dramatically. A total knee replacement typically results in a PD rating of 25-40% or higher, producing settlements in the $80,000 to $180,000+ range. The high settlement value reflects the permanent nature of the prosthesis, permanent activity restrictions, the need for future revision surgery (prosthetic joints last 15-20 years), and the significant impact on quality of life and working capacity.
Can I get workers' comp for a knee injury caused by repetitive work?
Yes. California workers' comp covers both traumatic knee injuries (from a single accident) and cumulative trauma injuries caused by repetitive stress over time. Jobs that require frequent kneeling, squatting, climbing stairs, or standing on hard surfaces can cause meniscus tears, cartilage degeneration, and other knee conditions that qualify for workers' comp benefits.
What if I had a prior knee injury before my work injury?
You can still receive workers' comp benefits, but the insurance company may seek to reduce your settlement through apportionment under Labor Code 4663. They will argue that some portion of your knee disability was pre-existing. However, if your work caused, accelerated, or aggravated the pre-existing condition, an attorney can challenge the apportionment and fight for full compensation.
Free Knee Injury Settlement Evaluation
Knee injuries can affect your ability to work and live for decades. Our free consultation evaluates your specific knee injury, treatment history, and PD rating to determine the full value of your claim. If the insurance company is offering you too little, we will fight for the settlement you deserve.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about California workers' compensation knee injury settlements. It is not legal advice. Settlement values vary widely based on individual circumstances including your specific diagnosis, treatment, PD rating, age, occupation, and earnings. The settlement ranges discussed are estimates based on typical cases and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of outcome. Contact our office for a free consultation about your specific case.
David Lamonica (State Bar #165205) has negotiated hundreds of knee injury settlements, from straightforward meniscus tears to complex multi-ligament reconstructions and total knee replacements. He understands the long-term trajectory of knee injuries and fights to ensure his clients' settlements account for both present disability and future needs.