A patellar dislocation—when the kneecap (patella) shifts out of its normal position—is a painful and sometimes serious knee injury that can severely impact your ability to walk, work, or engage in daily activities. If your injury occurred in California due to someone else’s negligence (e.g., in a car crash, slip-and-fall), you may have a valid personal injury claim and be entitled to financial compensation.
🦵 What Is a Patellar Dislocation?
The patella normally sits in a groove in the thigh bone (femur). A dislocation occurs when the kneecap is forced out of this groove, usually laterally (to the outside) of the knee. This can cause damage to:
- Ligaments and tendons (e.g., medial patellofemoral ligament – MPFL)
- Cartilage or bone surfaces (leading to fractures or tears)
- The overall stability of the knee joint
Common Symptoms:
- Sudden, sharp pain in the front of the knee
- A visibly out-of-place kneecap
- Swelling and bruising
- Inability to walk or bear weight
- Instability or recurring dislocations
🚧 How Patellar Dislocation Happens in Personal Injury Cases
In a California personal injury case, patellar dislocations are often caused by trauma, such as:
- Car or motorcycle accidents (knee hits dashboard or twists on impact)
- Slip-and-falls or trip-and-falls (twisting the knee while falling)
- Bicycle crashes
- Assaults or physical altercations
⚖️ Legal Grounds for Compensation in California
To receive compensation, your attorney must prove:
- Duty of Care – The at-fault party had a legal obligation to act with care (e.g., a driver obeying traffic laws, a store owner keeping floors safe).
- Breach of Duty – They failed in that obligation (e.g., ran a red light, didn’t fix a hazard).
- Causation – Their breach directly caused your patellar dislocation.
- Damages – You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm.
🔄 California follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your share of liability.
💰 What Compensation Can You Recover?
🔹 Economic Damages:
- Emergency care and diagnostics (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)
- Orthopedic treatment and follow-up care
- Physical therapy
- Knee immobilizers, braces, or crutches
- Surgery, if needed (e.g., MPFL reconstruction, realignment)
- Lost wages and future lost income
- Long-term care or rehab needs
🔹 Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life (sports, hobbies, walking)
- Emotional distress
- Permanent mobility issues
- Loss of consortium (impact on relationships)
🧾 Evidence That Strengthens Your Case
To prove the extent of your injury and how it was caused, you’ll need solid documentation:
✅ Collect:
- Medical records (ER visits, orthopedic evaluations, surgery notes)
- MRI/X-ray results
- Photos of the injury or accident scene
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Proof of lost income (pay stubs, employer letters)
- A journal detailing your pain, limitations, and emotional impact
⏳ Time Limit: Statute of Limitations in California
- You generally have 2 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- If the injury involves a government entity (e.g., public sidewalk), you must file a claim within 6 months.
⚠️ Don’t delay — missing deadlines could bar you from receiving any compensation.
👨⚖️ Why Hire a California Personal Injury Lawyer?
Patellar dislocation injuries can involve long-term complications, like chronic instability, arthritis, or recurring dislocations. Insurance companies may try to:
- Downplay the severity of your injury
- Claim it was pre-existing
- Offer a low settlement
An attorney can help you:
- Prove causation with medical and expert testimony
- Maximize your compensation by including long-term costs
- Negotiate effectively with insurers
- Take the case to trial if needed
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].