For instance, a worker may battle carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disk problems, or joint conditions due to arthritis. While these health concerns may have existed prior to a person obtaining his or her current position, they are subject to aggravation or worsening due to the challenges of a job environment. Finally, pre-existing conditions can also include injuries that a worker previously incurred at the same place of employment. Thus, for instance, if an individual tore a ligament in his or her knee while moving boxes at work and, several months later, reinjured the knee while on the job, this may constitute grounds for Workers’ Compensation Benefits.
Filing A Claim For Benefits
Although pre-existing conditions can make it more complicated to bring a Workers’ Compensation Claim, many employees successfully assert them every year. Under current Georgia law, compensable injuries include “the aggravation of a preexisting condition” when it is the cause of the disability. This means that if you can establish a new injury or pain because of this aggravation, your employer can be required to compensate you for medical bills related to it. This is because companies are required to take their workers “as they are.”
Accordingly, an employer cannot refuse to treat an employee because of a known or unknown prior condition. If a company hires a woman who has osteoporosis and breaks a bone after a small slip and fall, for example, the employer cannot refuse to pay her benefits because of her prior condition, whether or not the employer was aware of the osteoporosis.
Unfortunately, however, employers throughout Georgia may try to deny workers’ compensation claims based on pre-existing conditions. This is why it is extremely important to obtain the help of an experienced and knowledgeable Workers’ Compensation Attorney who understands and has experience with Georgia Workers’ Compensation Law to represent you or a loved one in a Workers’ Compensation Legal Claim in the State of Georgia.
You will need to obtain accurate and thorough evaluations from your doctor to establish your claim for benefits, and your lawyer can help work with your doctor to document the ways in which your new injury has aggravated your underlying condition. A physician will also be able to evaluate and record whether the worsening of your pre-existing condition has resulted in permanently disabling effects, which will affect the prospects of any permanent disability claim that you eventually may try to establish.
Discuss Your Work Injury Case With Our Team
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia can be a daunting task, and it is especially difficult while you and your loved ones are also dealing with the ongoing medical issues that form the basis for your benefits. The least desirable thing you should do is face the complexities of this situation by yourself. This could also cause detrimental, if not irreversible, damage to your case and your likelihood of a positive outcome of your Workers’ Compensation Case.
There does not need to be such a negative outcome if you have the proper, experienced legal counsel by your side. At Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates, our Work Injury Attorneys understand how to present a claim for a Georgia Employee and will fight back against the efforts of employers and insurance companies to deny what is rightfully yours.
While we service the entire State of Georgia for Workers’ Compensation Claims, if you live near Marietta, Decatur, Lawrenceville or other communities in Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett or Clayton Counties, our office is available to immediately assist you. For a free legal consultation, please contact us at 770-865-8654, by email at juliericelaw@icloud.com or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you soon.