Managing the challenges of a pre-existing medical condition is difficult enough. What happens when you aggravate a pre-existing condition at work? Does workers’ compensation cover you? Is it harder to get your claim approved and your medical expenses covered?
Navigating the workers’ compensation system under these circumstances can be challenging. That’s why you need the experienced Hershey legal team at Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C. to step in and help you manage your aggravation of a pre-existing condition workers’ comp claim.
What Qualifies as Pre-Existing Conditions?
Pre-existing conditions are medical conditions, illnesses, or injuries that begin before a person’s medical coverage starts. A pre-existing condition is any underlying condition that existed or has been previously diagnosed by your doctor.
Aggravation of a Pre-Existing Condition
Aggravation of a pre-existing condition means the nature of your working environment caused a prior injury or illness to worsen. For example, you broke your leg several years ago, then slipped and fell at work, causing the bone to break again. As another, suppose you have back pain, and lifting boxes at work aggravated that pain, causing further strain and injury to the muscles in your back. In both examples, the consequences of a new work accident were worsened by pre-existing injuries.
Common Examples of Pre-Existing Conditions that Become Aggravated or Exacerbated
Common examples of pre-existing conditions that can get worse because of your working conditions can include:
- Back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Herniated disc
- Broken bones
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
Unfortunately, many workers’ compensation claims involving a pre-existing injury get denied, leaving injured workers unable to access the benefits they need for their medical treatment and to offset their lost wages. Employers often dispute that the injury occurred at work or that the aggravation of an injury was work-related. Not filing a claim within the specified time limits, failing to provide enough evidence, or providing inaccurate information can also jeopardize your Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation only covers work-related injuries. However, you may be covered by workers’ compensation insurance if the pre-existing condition was aggravated by a worker’s work-related activities or environment. An experienced Hershey workers’ compensation lawyer can help you prove that your pre-existing condition worsened because of a workplace accident and is therefore eligible for workers’ compensation.
Get Help from Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Hershey, PA
Recovering compensation for the aggravation of a pre-existing condition from workers’ compensation can be challenging. Your employer and insurer may attempt to deny your claim, suggesting your injuries are not a result of work-related activities. To access the benefits you deserve as an injured worker, such as medical care and lost wages, you should turn to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Hershey, Pennsylvania. You need Calhoon and Kaminsky P.C.
We fight to protect your rights and can build a workers’ compensation claim showing how your new injury is work-related and, therefore, covered. Contact our Hershey office today to request a free case review about your work-related injury.
