How Pre-Existing Conditions Impact Workers’ Compensation Claims in Charlotte
April 4 , 2025If you’ve been injured on the job in Charlotte and have a pre-existing medical condition, you may be wondering: “Will this hurt my workers’ compensation claim?” At Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., we hear this question often, and the answer isn’t always straightforward.
North Carolina law does allow injured workers with pre-existing conditions to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, these claims can be more complex, and insurance companies often try to use your medical history against you.
Here’s what you need to know about how pre-existing conditions can impact your workers’ compensation case—and how our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys can help protect your rights.
What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue or injury you had before your workplace accident or illness.
Common examples include:
- Prior back or neck injuries.
- Arthritis or joint problems.
- Previous surgeries.
- Old sports injuries.
Just because you had a prior injury doesn’t mean you’re disqualified from benefits, but it does mean your case may require additional evidence and legal support.
North Carolina’s “Aggravation Rule”
North Carolina workers’ compensation law recognizes that a workplace injury can aggravate or worsen a pre-existing condition. If a specific accident made your condition significantly worse, you may still be entitled to medical treatment and wage replacement.
This is often called the “eggshell employee” rule, meaning employers must take workers as they are, even if they’re more susceptible to injury due to a pre-existing condition.
For example:
- If you had mild back pain before, but a fall at work caused a herniated disc, the employer may still be liable.
- If you had arthritis in your knee, but injured the meniscus, which accelerates the damage and requires surgery, that could qualify, too.
How Insurance Companies Try to Deny These Claims
Unfortunately, insurance companies may argue that your symptoms were caused entirely by your pre-existing condition, not by your job. They may request your complete medical history and use it to minimize or deny your claim.
That’s why it’s so important to:
- Be honest about your medical history.
- Work with a qualified attorney who can gather medical evidence showing how your work aggravated your condition.
At Ramsay Law Firm, we work with experienced medical professionals to clearly explain the link between your job and your current symptoms—something the insurance company’s doctor may not do.
Why Legal Help Matters
If you have a pre-existing condition, your claim will likely face more scrutiny, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. The key is proving that your job duties or injury worsened your condition or caused new symptoms that impact your ability to work.
Our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys know how to build strong cases for injured workers with medical histories. We’ll handle the paperwork, gather evidence, and stand up to the insurance company to get you the benefits you deserve.
Injured at Work with a Pre-Existing Condition? We Can Help.
Don’t let your medical history be used against you. Contact our Mecklenburg County attorneys at Ramsay Law Firm, P.A. at 704-376-1616 or online for a free consultation today. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to under North Carolina law.
A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way.
