Getting hurt at work can turn your life upside down. It’s even more confusing if you already had a health condition before the injury. Maybe you’ve had back pain for years or an old knee injury from a past job. Now something happened at work that made it worse and you’re not sure what to do next.
You might wonder, “Will they deny my claim because I was already hurt?” The answer might come as a surprise to you.
When your job makes a condition worse
In Washington, workers comp does not only cover new injuries, it can also cover older conditions if your job made them worse. This is called aggravation. If your work caused added pain or limited your movement more than before, that change may count as a work injury.
Washington law looks at how the job affected your health. If your symptoms worsened because of something that happened at work, that matters most. Even if you had a long-term issue, the new damage may be covered.
This is often called “lighting up” a preexisting condition. If your job made your issue flare up or progress faster than expected, workers comp may apply.
What benefits you may receive
You may still qualify for full workers comp benefits depending on how your injury changed your condition. Benefits could include:
- Medical treatment for the worsened condition
- Wage replacement while you recover
- Help finding new work if you cannot return to your old job
Labor & Industries usually does not cover treatment for the original condition if it stays the same. However, they can cover anything your job made worse. That’s why clear medical proof is important.
Four things to do if you have a preexisting condition
If your condition got worse at work, these steps help build a strong claim:
- Be honest about your health history: It helps doctors and claims staff understand what changed.
- Get medical records that explain aggravation: Your doctor should say how work made your symptoms worse.
- Keep track of your symptoms: Note dates when the pain started, how it changed and what limits you face.
- Act fast if your claim is denied: You have 60 days to appeal a denial. The sooner you act the better.
Even with a past injury, you may still have a valid claim if your job made it worse.
When seek legal advice
Claims involving preexisting conditions can be harder to prove. If your claim is denied or you feel overwhelmed, speaking with a workers comp lawyer may help. They can guide you through the process and give you peace of mind so you can focus on healing.