Aggravated Preexisting Condition
If you aggravate a preexisting condition while on the job, it is considered a new work injury. The term "preexisting condition" can cover any injury that occurred in the past or disease process that develops over time, such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease. A large majority of the population works with preexisting conditions. Often, disease processes such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease are not even painful until you injure yourself at work.
Factors to Consider
If you sustain an injury at work to the same body part you injured in the past, there are several factors you need to look at.
- Factor 1: Was I having problems with my preexisting condition before I injured myself on the job?
- Factor 2: Has the injury at work made my preexisting condition pain level worse to the point it has not gone back down to what I am used too?
- Factor 3: Did I hear a weird noise coming from the area of my pre-existing condition when I hurt myself at work? Did I feel a funny sensation coming from the area of my pre-existing condition when I injured myself on the job?
- Factor 4: Is the pain in a different location of the same body part?
Example: I injured my neck while at home four years ago and had pain going down my right arm. Now, after my work injury I have pain in my neck but it is going down my left arm. - Factor 5: Do I have less range of motion in the area of my preexisting condition since suffering the work injury.
The above factors are just helpful suggestions that will help you determine if you sustained an aggravation of a preexisting health condition. It is imperative to contact a doctor and give them a complete prior history of your medical conditions as well as the problems you are having since your work injury. It is also important not to hide your prior injuries to medical providers. Always be upfront and honest with medical providers.
Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Law Firm
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The lawyers of Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo deal with all types of injuries. Since 1936, Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo lawyers have seen almost every type of work injury imaginable. Contact the lawyers of Krasno Krasno & Onwudinjo to help walk you through the workers' compensation process.
