You may have been legitimately injured during a workplace accident. However,  if you have a pre-existing condition in the same area where your injuries from your workplace accident are this could lead to major hurdles when you are pursuing Tallahassee workers’ compensation benefits. It is important to know though, that having a pre-existing condition where your occupational injury took place doesn’t mean that you are ineligible for Florida workers’ compensation benefits.

Obtaining a fair and full settlement that encompasses all the benefits you are entitled to through your workers’ compensation claim isn’t the easiest task. The workers’ compensation insurance providers and many employers will do what they can to try to get you to not file your claim in the first place, or do everything to devalue and deny your claim once it is filed. There are so many confusing tricks and deceitful strategies that injured workers have to deal with when they are trying to obtain benefits. A victim’s best defense against these maneuvers is to work with a talented and experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorney. Stephen M. Andrews has been providing effective legal counsel and legal services to victims of Florida workplace accidents for more than three decades, and he can help you with your Florida workers’ compensation claim.

The Challenge of Pre-existing Conditions

Obtaining Florida workers’ compensation benefits with a pre-existing condition is a doable proposition. Having a pre-existing condition, though, can make the already arduous process of securing benefits much more challenging. Here is everything you need to know about workers’ compensation and pre-existing conditions.

• If your pre-existing condition was a result of a previous workplace accident and you re-injured yourself in the same place you can still receive benefits. Because you already received benefits in the past for this injury, there will be a reduction in the benefits you receive but your medical treatment and care will still be covered.
• If you have a pre-existing condition that is unrelated to a work injury, but after an occupational accident that injury becomes worse you can file for benefits. You should see an approved doctor and you can receive workers’ compensation benefits based on the doctor’s findings.
• If you have a pre-existing condition that is unrelated to your current injuries from your workplace accident you can receive benefits to cover your medical costs and wage losses for this new injury. As for that unrelated pre-existing condition, you will use your own medical coverage to pay the costs of any medical care required.

Speak to a Florida SSDI Attorney Today

Stephen M. Andrews is a Tallahassee workers’ compensation attorney with more than 35 years of experience helping injured Floridians obtain all the benefits they deserve after their workplace accident injury. When you have a pre-existing condition, it could complicate your Florida workers’ compensation claim. Stephen M. Andrews understands how to navigate the Florida workers’ compensation system so that even with a more complex claim, you can still receive the benefits you are entitled to. Call the Florida workers’ compensation law firm of Stephen M. Andrews today at (850) 906-9599 to schedule your free consultation. Stephen M. Andrews does not get paid unless he wins your case.