All employers in Minnesota are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. This means you are entitled to medical coverage and wage replacement benefits if you get hurt on the job as an eligible employee in Minnesota. However, questions about eligibility and benefit amounts can arise if your occupational injury worsens a pre-existing condition.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Yes, workers’ compensation can cover a pre-existing condition if a work injury worsens it. The key factor is whether the job aggravated or accelerated your condition or re-injured you. If so, your injury should qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
You do not need to prove that the original condition was work-related. However, you must show that work activities made the pre-existing condition worse. You can use medical records and statements from your healthcare providers to support your claim.
Insurance companies might argue that your current symptoms are solely the result of the pre-existing condition, which can make claims more difficult. A lawyer can help you gather evidence and present a strong case showing that you suffered additional harm due to the work-related incident.
How to Prove That a Workplace Injury Worsened a Pre-Existing Condition
You need strong medical evidence to prove that a workplace injury worsened your pre-existing condition. You should visit a doctor as soon as possible after the injury. The doctor can compare your current condition to your medical history and confirm whether the injury aggravated your pre-existing condition. They should be able to determine whether your condition worsened using objective tests like MRIs and x-rays, as well as by taking detailed information about your current symptoms and comparing them to your pre-injury tests and symptoms.
You should also keep detailed records of all medical visits and treatments and request written statements from your providers explaining how the injury has affected your condition.
You can support your claim by documenting any changes in symptoms or new limitations and providing information about how your job might have worsened your condition. Your employer and the insurance company will review this information. They might also request an independent medical exam to verify the details you provide.
What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied Due to a Prior Condition?
If your claim is denied because of a prior condition, review the denial letter carefully. It should explain why the claim was rejected. You have the right to appeal the decision. Start by gathering more medical evidence to show how your work activities worsened your condition. Ask your doctor for a detailed statement about how the injury aggravated the condition to submit with your appeal.
Deadlines for appeals are strict, so it’s critical to act quickly and seek legal guidance. A lawyer can help you file your appeal, present stronger evidence, and improve your chances of reversing the denial.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Handle Disability Ratings for Old Injuries That Have Worsened?
Disability ratings measure how much an injury limits your ability to work. If a work injury worsens an old condition, the insurance company will consider the new impact of your condition. Doctors use medical guidelines to assess how the worsened condition affects your ability to perform tasks and assign a rating based on this evaluation. The rating helps your insurer determine the amount and duration of your permanent partial disability benefits. A higher rating usually results in higher benefit payments.
Insurance companies might try to argue that your disability is only related to the old condition and not your more recent injury. You need medical evidence to show that the work injury caused additional harm. Clear medical reports can clarify this connection. If you disagree with the rating, you can request a second opinion or work with an attorney to challenge it.
How a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
An attorney can strengthen a workers’ compensation claim involving a pre-existing condition by:
- Gathering medical records that show how your work injury aggravated your prior condition
- Requesting written statements from doctors to explain how the injury affected your condition
- Advising you on how to properly report the injury to meet legal requirements and deadlines
- Reviewing the insurance company’s medical evaluations for accuracy and fairness
- Arranging independent medical exams to provide additional support for your claim
- Identifying and gathering other types of evidence, such as job descriptions or witness statements
- Challenging unfair disability ratings that undervalue the extent of your injury
- Preparing and filing all necessary paperwork on your behalf to meet relevant legal deadlines
- Representing you in hearings if the insurance company disputes your claim
- Negotiating with the insurance company for fair benefits or settlements
- Filing an appeal and presenting stronger evidence if your claim is denied
- Providing guidance on how to avoid mistakes that could harm your claim
Contact a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
If a work injury has worsened your pre-existing condition, call Robert Wilson & Associates today at (612) 334-3444 or contact us online. One of our Minnesota workers’ comp lawyers can review your case and explain your options in an initial consultation session.