Blast from the past

Are you experiencing aggravation from a pre-existing injury (aka “lighting up)?

Unless you’re under 25 years old (and maybe still then) you probably have some old injury or complaint from your past. If you’re lucky, the sore neck from that fender bender, or injured knee from a brutal high school soccer game years ago, or other accident – will not come back to bother you.

Unfortunately, people with pre-existing injuries have to work just like the rest of us, and all too often, a workplace injury or repeated exposure can aggravate those injuries. Insurance companies (like the Department of L&I) often try to point the finger at old injuries to avoid coverage.

Here’s what you need to remember if that happens to you in an L&I claim: If an injury or repetitive use of a joint aggravates, lights up, or makes active a latent or quiescent infirmity or weakened physical condition, then the resulting disability is to be attributed to the injury, and not to the preexisting physical condition. More simply stated, if your workplace injury, occupational exposure, or repetitive joint use at work makes an old condition worse, the Industrial Insurance Act likely affords you L&I coverage.

If you’re having trouble getting treatment or L&I claim allowance because you have had some previous injury, call Carlisle & Byers for a free consultation.