Many workers think they can’t get workers’ comp benefits if they have existing health problems. This stops them from filing valid claims. But the truth is, you can still get benefits even with pre-existing conditions, especially when your job makes these conditions worse.
What counts as a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition is any health issue you had before a work injury. Your job might affect these conditions in ways that qualify for workers’ comp benefits.
Here are the most common pre-existing conditions in workers’ comp cases:
- Back problems or disc disease
- Past injuries that have healed
- Joint pain or arthritis
- Heart problems
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
These conditions don’t rule out your right to benefits. What matters is how your job affects your health now.
How to win your claim with pre-existing conditions
The key is to show how your job made your condition worse. State laws say employers must accept workers’ current health status. This means they’re responsible when work tasks worsen existing health issues.
To support your claim, you need to:
- Tell your employer right away if work tasks hurt you.
- Keep all medical records from before and after.
- Be open with your doctor about past health issues.
- Write down how your job affects your condition.
The insurance company might say your current pain comes only from old problems. They often try this to deny claims. That’s why timing matters. Report problems as soon as they start.
These steps help prove your case:
- Get regular medical checkups.
- Follow your doctor’s orders.
- Keep a daily log of your symptoms.
- Save all paperwork about your condition.
Your health history shouldn’t stop you from getting workers’ comp benefits. If your job makes an old condition worse, you have rights. A workers’ comp lawyer can help prove your case and fight for benefits. They know how to show the link between your job and your health problems, which makes a big difference in winning your claim.