When you’re injured at work, filing a workers’ compensation claim might seem straightforward — until pre-existing conditions come into play. Suddenly, what felt like a simple process becomes complicated. Employers and insurance companies may argue that your current injury is just a flare-up of an old one, not something work-related. This is where having Minneapolis workers compensation lawyers by your side becomes crucial. They understand how to prove that your workplace injury either aggravated a pre-existing condition or caused a new one altogether.
What Is Considered a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness, or medical issue you had before your current work-related injury. These can include:
- Chronic back pain or previous spine injuries
- Arthritis or joint issues
- Old sports injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Heart conditions
Even though these health problems existed before your workplace accident, they don’t automatically disqualify you from workers’ compensation. The key is whether your job made the condition worse or triggered a new injury.
How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Workers’ Compensation
In workers’ compensation cases, the law generally follows the “aggravation rule.” This means that if your work activity aggravated or accelerated your pre-existing condition, you are still eligible for benefits.
For example:
- If you have a history of back problems but lifting heavy boxes at work caused a new, more severe injury, that’s a valid workers’ comp claim.
- If you previously had carpal tunnel but repetitive tasks at your job worsened the condition, your claim should still be considered.
However, employers and their insurance companies often push back, arguing that your pain stems from an old issue and not work-related activities. This is why partnering with experienced Minneapolis workers compensation lawyers can help you build a strong case, showing clear links between your work and your current medical condition.
Proving Your Case: What You Need
To succeed in a workers’ comp claim involving pre-existing conditions, solid evidence is essential. This typically includes:
- Medical records: Documentation of your previous health status and how your condition changed after the workplace injury.
- Doctor’s testimony: A medical expert explaining how your work activities aggravated your pre-existing condition.
- Workplace incident reports: Any documentation of the accident or tasks that worsened your health.
- Witness statements: Colleagues or supervisors who saw the incident or know the demands of your job.
A qualified lawyer can gather and present this evidence to strengthen your claim. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workplace injuries often have long-term impacts on pre-existing conditions, further solidifying the need for proper legal support.
Common Challenges You May Face
Insurance companies frequently try to downplay work-related causes, insisting your pain is due to “wear and tear” or a natural progression of old injuries. They might:
- Request extensive medical history to find anything that could weaken your claim
- Argue that your condition would have worsened regardless of your job
- Offer lower settlements based on the pre-existing condition
This is where having experienced Minneapolis workers compensation lawyers is vital. They know how to counter these tactics by showing how your work directly contributed to the injury’s severity.
Don’t Let a Pre-Existing Condition Stop Your Claim
Many workers fear their claim will be denied because of old injuries or medical issues, but that shouldn’t be the case. If your job made things worse — even if the problem wasn’t entirely new — you still have a right to seek compensation.
The U.S. Department of Labor emphasizes that workers’ compensation is meant to protect employees from financial hardship due to work-related injuries, regardless of their medical history.
Final Thoughts
Pre-existing conditions add layers of complexity to workers’ compensation claims, but they don’t automatically disqualify you. The key is proving that your work aggravated your condition or caused a new injury. Partnering with knowledgeable Minneapolis workers compensation lawyers gives you the best chance of building a solid case, pushing back against insurance companies, and securing the benefits you deserve.
If you’re facing pushback on your workers’ comp claim because of a pre-existing condition, don’t navigate it alone — seek legal support today.
