El Centro Knee Injury Lawyer
Accidents can often lead to knee injuries, which can have a devastating long-term impact on a person’s health and quality of life. Recovering from a major knee injury could require surgery and months of physical rehabilitation.
Many different types of accidents can lead to a knee injury, such as car crashes. These accidents typically result from someone’s negligent actions or a failure to use reasonable care.
You should speak with an El Centro knee injury lawyer at Walter Clark Legal Group as soon as possible if you have experienced knee pain due to an accident. Our experienced catastrophic injury attorneys could help you file a legal claim to recover compensation from the responsible party.
Types of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries in El Centro can happen due to traumatic impact from a collision, torsion or twisting of the knee, overuse, overextension of the joint, and other unnatural movements. Some common knee injuries are:
- Knee fractures
- Dislocations of the patella (kneecap)
- Cartilage damage, like meniscus tears
- Patellar tendon damage, such as ruptures or tears
- Ligament sprains or tears, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries
While some of these injuries are treatable with rest, ice, or minimally invasive surgery, many of these injuries require major reconstructive surgery to give someone their best chance at a full recovery. It can take months or even years to recover from major knee injuries.
Even after recovery, an injured person could still experience long-term health consequences from a major knee injury, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Decreased range of motion
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
Many of these symptoms can greatly impact a person’s quality of life and their ability to participate in normal life or recreational activities. Major knee injuries can also require extensive physical therapy to cope with some of these long-term symptoms.
Who to Sue When an Accident Causes a Knee Injury
Depending on the cause of a knee injury, an injured party can potentially bring a negligence lawsuit to recover damages for the harm they have suffered. When a knee injury results from a person’s negligent actions or a failure to use reasonable care, California Civil Code § 1714 holds them legally responsible for the harm.
Determining the appropriate party to sue for a knee injury is not always straightforward and will depend on where and how the injury occurred. Some accidents that can lead to a knee injury lawsuit include:
- Car accidents
- Slip and falls on another person or business’ property
- An injury caused by a defective product
For car accidents, a knee injury victim may have a potential lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, if the driver was in a commercial vehicle while on the job, their employer could also have legal liability.
For slips and falls on business premises, the property owner may have liability if the hazard was known or if the owner should have been aware.
When an injury is caused by a defective product, the company that makes the product could have liability. Manufacturers of products are strictly liable for injuries caused by defects.
A qualified knee injury attorney at Walter Clark Legal Group could help an El Centro accident victim determine the appropriate party or parties to file a lawsuit against.
Timeline to File Knee Injury Lawsuits
Legal claims do not last indefinitely. An El Centro knee injury victim must file their lawsuit within the state’s statute of limitations, or a court can dismiss the claim.
In general, a plaintiff bringing a personal injury claim must file their action within two years from the date of the accident, under Cal. Civ. Pro. Code § 335.1.
However, sometimes a knee injury is not readily apparent, or the full extent of the injury is unknown. The statute of limitations does not begin to toll until the person discovers the injury or when they reasonably should have discovered the injury.
For minors, Cal. Civ. Pro. Code § 352 provides that the statute of limitations does not begin tolling until they reach the age of 18. Further, the period will not toll for individuals that lack the legal capacity to make decisions due to a disability until they lose the condition.
Talk About Your Knee Injury With an El Centro Attorney
Walter Clark Legal Group is here to serve as a legal resource if you or your loved one has suffered a knee injury. Discussing your accident with an El Centro knee injury lawyer can help you determine the validity of your legal claim.
We focus on building relationships with clients. If we cannot handle your case, our knowledgeable team can inform you about options to obtain a trusted co-counsel. Call now to schedule your free consultation.
