Hurt Your Ankle at Work in California? Here's What You Need to Know About Workers’ Comp
At Lee Partners Law: Work Injury Attorneys, we help injured workers throughout Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and the High Desert cities get the treatment and compensation they deserve after an ankle injury on the job.
Whether you twisted your ankle climbing down a ladder or developed chronic pain from walking warehouse floors for years—California workers' comp law protects you. I'm David A Lee, a certified specialist in workers’ compensation and former defense attorney. My team and I now fight exclusively for injured workers like you.
Here’s what you need to know if your ankle injury happened at work.
Occupations at Highest Risk for Ankle Injuries
Certain jobs are more likely to cause serious ankle injuries—especially those that involve lifting, walking, climbing, or working on uneven or slick surfaces.
We regularly represent injured workers in these professions:
Construction workers – Ladder falls, uneven terrain, heavy lifting
Warehouse employees – Repetitive standing, jumping off forklifts, lifting
Delivery drivers – Getting in and out of trucks, carrying loads on stairs
Custodians and janitors – Slipping on wet floors, pushing heavy carts
Food service workers – Fast movement in kitchens, wet tile surfaces
Retail workers – Long hours standing or moving heavy stock
Public safety officers – Running, jumping, or foot chases
Landscapers and utility workers – Uneven ground, carrying tools
Types of Work-Related Ankle Injuries We See in California Workers’ Comp Cases
We handle a wide range of ankle injuries that can limit your ability to stand, walk, or return to your prior job. These include:
Sprains and Ligament Tears
Often due to a sudden twist or misstep
Lateral or medial ankle ligament involvement (ATFL, CFL, deltoid)
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Partial or full-thickness tears
Insertional tendinitis or chronic degeneration (tendinosis)
Ankle Fractures
Including lateral malleolus, bimalleolar, and trimalleolar fractures
May require surgery with plates and screws
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Nerve compression near the medial ankle
Can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness
Chronic Instability or Arthritis
Repetitive sprains or trauma leading to post-traumatic arthritis
Limited range of motion and pain with walking
How the AMA Guides Rate Ankle Injuries for Permanent Disability
In California, permanent disability is rated using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition. The ankle is part of the lower extremity, and impairments are calculated based on:
Loss of range of motion (dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, eversion)
Surgical intervention (e.g., ankle fusion or hardware placement)
Use of assistive devices (like braces or canes)
Gait abnormalities
Chronic weakness or sensory issues
Examples:
Limited range of motion = up to 15% lower extremity impairment under Table 17-11
Ankle fusion (arthrodesis) = 20–30% lower extremity impairment per Table 17-33
Achilles tendon rupture = rated using Table 17-2, based on strength deficit
This is converted into a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) and then into a Permanent Disability Percentage that determines the value of your workers' comp case.
Treatment for Ankle Injuries in California Workers' Compensation
California’s Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) guides the treatment your doctor will provide. Typical treatment plans include:
Conservative Care:
RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
Physical therapy focused on strength and balance
Anti-inflammatory medications or injections
Surgery:
ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation) for fractures
Arthroscopy for impingement or chronic instability
Tendon repair (e.g., Achilles)
Fusion or total ankle replacement for arthritis
Follow-Up:
Work restrictions (e.g., no prolonged standing or climbing)
Modified duty or temporary disability benefits
Referral to a QME or AME to determine permanent disability
How Do Ankle Injuries Happen at Work?
Ankle injuries in workers’ comp are generally classified into:
1. Specific Injury
A single incident: slipping, rolling your ankle, falling off a ladder
You usually know the exact date it happened
2. Cumulative Trauma (CT)
Damage built up over time: standing long shifts, walking uneven ground, carrying heavy loads
Symptoms develop slowly and may be denied at first—but are often compensable with medical evidence
When Is an Ankle Injury Considered Permanent?
If you’ve completed treatment and still have symptoms like pain, weakness, or limited range of motion, your doctor may declare you Permanent and Stationary (P&S) or at Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).
At that point, a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) or Agreed Medical Evaluator (AME) will rate your condition.
The report will address:
Range of motion in the ankle
Assistive device use (e.g., brace, cane)
Surgical outcome and hardware
Work restrictions and functional limitations
That report becomes the basis for your permanent disability compensation.
Speak to an Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorney About Your Ankle Injury
If you suffered an ankle injury at work—don’t wait for the insurance company to deny care or underpay your claim.
At Lee Partners Law, we’ve helped hundreds of workers in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, and the High Desert get the treatment, disability benefits, and compensation they’re owed.
I’m David A Lee, a certified specialist and former defense attorney. I know how the other side thinks—and I use that to fight for injured workers like you.
📞 Call or text us today for a free case review 310-295-0822
Let us help you walk again—with the medical care, legal protection, and disability compensation you deserve.