Can I Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits, If I Have Pre-Existing Injury
No one is perfect, as the saying goes, and no one enjoys perfect health. Many working people go to their jobs every day with pre-existing medical conditions. Occasionally, a workplace injury will aggravate or inflame a pre-existing condition. The question then becomes, “Does workers comp cover pre existing conditions?”
In general, the answer is yes. The state of Utah allows workers with pre-existing conditions to file for workers’ compensation if their workplace injury has aggravated pre-existing conditions.
As with any workers’ compensation claim, the injury must satisfy the basic criteria for filing a claim by rising in and during the course of employment. Some pre-existing conditions that might be affected by a workplace injury include:
- Degenerative or inflammatory joint conditions like arthritis;
- Spinal conditions like spinal degeneration, slipped or herniated discs;
- Shoulder and knee injuries;
- Strains and sprains of legs and arms;
- Torn or damaged ligaments and tendons;
- Pre-existing heart or lung conditions;
- Pre-existing fractures to bones.
While the pre-existing condition might affect the amount recovered in a Utah workers’ compensation claim, it need not defeat the claim altogether.
If you have been injured in a workplace accident and have a pre-existing or chronic condition, you may wish to consult a workers’ compensation attorney to advise you on your claim. They can evaluate your situation and advise you on a solid course of action. They can also help you find the medical expertise to evaluate and treat your workplace injury.
At Alta Legal, our attorneys and professional staff have successfully filed many workers compensation Utah claims for many clients.
We know workplace injuries can be traumatic and stressful. Not only is there the pain of the injury, but also the worry and economic loss that comes with time away from work. We treat all our workers’ compensation clients with compassion and dignity and fight for the best possible outcome for each and every case. If you need the assistance of a West Jordan, UT work injury attorney, call us today for a consultation.
