A comorbid condition is a medical condition that exists in addition to the injury at hand in a Jacksonville workers’ compensation claim. It isn’t the workplace injury itself, but it’s another medical condition the injured person has.
Comorbid conditions can impact a Jacksonville workers’ compensation claim by adding lost work time, increasing the likelihood of medical disputes, and making the entire claim take longer. It can be harder to prove your right to benefits.
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, represent injured workers with comorbid conditions. You can have a lawyer help you receive the compensation you deserve. Call or message us now.
What Are Comorbid Conditions in Workers’ Compensation Cases?
A comorbid condition is a medical condition that exists alongside a workplace injury. The original medical condition isn’t caused by the workplace injury; however, it can worsen the injury and complicate healing.
A comorbid condition can make a workers’ compensation claim more complex because it can take time to explore the cause and extent of the injury and because disputes may arise about what benefits should be covered.
Common Comorbid Conditions in Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Claims
Comorbid conditions that may exist in a Jacksonville workers’ compensation claim may include:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure, hypertension
- Heart disease
- Depression, anxiety
- Insomnia
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Substance abuse, alcoholism
- Liver disease, renal disease
- Other conditions
An injured worker may have one or more comorbid conditions. You can still receive workers’ compensation with prior medical conditions.
Simply having a medical condition does not make you ineligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In the US, 76.4% of adults have one or more chronic conditions.
Understanding How Comorbid Conditions Work in Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation
The purpose of workers’ compensation is to provide benefits for workplace injuries. To the extent you’re injured on the job, you may receive medical care at no cost to you. If you miss work, you may receive replacement income. You may receive permanent impairment compensation.
These benefits apply specifically to workplace injury. Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to treat you and provide compensation for only the workplace condition. The goal is to return you as close as possible to the condition you were in before the workplace injury.
For example, if you have diabetes and you break your arm at work, workers’ compensation benefits will cover treatment for your broken arm. If you have chronic back pain and you suffer a bulging disc, workers’ compensation should treat the bulging disc. But it can get complicated when conditions and symptoms overlap.
How Insurance Companies Use Comorbidities To Deny or Reduce Claims
The insurance company may claim that your injury isn’t the result of a workplace accident or minimize the medical care needed for your case. They may also evaluate your ability to return to work against that of a person without the comorbid condition. They may downplay your permanent disability.
These are various ways insurance companies use comorbidities to deny or reduce claims. But you have the right to be treated fairly. A lawyer can help you identify important issues, gather medical evidence, and present your case.
Truthfulness in a job application
If you were untruthful about a medical condition on your job application, it may prevent you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Your employer may have asked about medical conditions when you applied. If you deny them, it could work against you if you’re seeking workers’ compensation. To prevent you from receiving benefits, the false representation must have been a substantial factor in hiring and must be related to the injury.
Proving Your Work Injury Aggravated a Pre-Existing Condition
You may receive workers’ compensation benefits if a new injury aggravates a pre-existing condition. For example, you may have had arthritis before falling at work. But since the fall, your flares may be more severe. You may already have back pain, but a fall causes an acute injury.
Proving your right to workers’ compensation benefits may require explaining how the accident worsened the pre-existing condition. You may need to explain the extent of the new medical condition and what treatment is required.
Medical Evidence Needed To Support a Comorbid Claim
Medical evidence needed to support a comorbid claim typically consists of:
- Medical records from before the injury
- Statements from medical care providers
- Diagnostic and evaluation records from the new injury
- Expert testimony about your medical conditions and treatment
- Journaling of treatment, symptoms, and pain
- Lay testimony, including from the injured person and their family and friends, about their own experiences and observations
Our lawyers can assist you in gathering this evidence and presenting it in your case.
Challenges You May Face with Comorbid Conditions
Any workplace injury can significantly impact your life. Lost income, physical limitations, and pain can be disruptive and frustrating. Challenges you may face with comorbid conditions may include:
- Managing medical care for your workplace injury, along with care for your initial condition
- Agreeing with your employer for suitable work with restrictions
- Responding less effectively to injury treatment because of the comorbid condition
- Injuries or conditions are being overlooked because of the comorbid condition
- Difficulty with participating in home care because of other medical issues
- The emotional strain of managing multiple medical conditions
- Disputes about whether surgery is needed and the extent of physical therapy
- The cost of traveling to multiple medical appointments, managing medication, and other expenses
Our lawyers can identify issues that may be important to your case. We help you build evidence and present your claim to maximize your compensation.
How a Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Protect Your Claim
Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, represent injured workers in Jacksonville, NC, including in claims involving comorbidities and pre-existing conditions. We can file the paperwork to protect your rights, gather the evidence, negotiate on your behalf, and present your case at a hearing.
If you’re starting your case, frustrated by a denial, or if you have other things to address in your case, contact our attorneys. We’re taking new cases now. Call or message us now.
