Can I get workers’ comp in Minnesota with a preexisting back condition?

Yes, you can still receive workers’ compensation benefits in Minnesota if you have a preexisting back condition. Minnesota law clearly states that an employer takes an employee as they come, complete with any past injuries or physical weaknesses.

If your daily job duties aggravate, accelerate or worsen your old back problem, state law treats your current pain as a work-related injury eligible for full benefits.

How work can make your preexisting back condition worse

Workplace tasks put significant physical stress on your spine every day. A preexisting condition can flare up or permanently degrade due to several common work activities:

• Heavy lifting and carrying: Raising heavy boxes, equipment, or materials places intense pressure on your spinal discs, which can cause an old bulge to rupture or inflame arthritic joints.
• Repetitive pushing, pulling and twisting: Moving heavy loads or frequently twisting your torso subjects your back to unnatural forces that strain weakened muscles and aggravate past surgical sites.
• Prolonged sitting with poor posture: Desk jobs force your lower back to support your upper body weight for hours, irritating degenerative discs and causing severe stiffness in an uncomfortable chair.
• Sudden physical traumatic events: A slip, trip, fall or sudden unexpected load can instantly re-injure a past fracture or strain previously damaged soft tissues.

Getting treatment and managing your claim

When a work task flares up your back, your doctor might suggest several treatments to help you recover. Medical professionals often start with physical therapy, group exercise programs or manual therapy to align your muscles and joints. If severe pain continues, medical options may include prescription pain management, nerve block procedures, or surgery for severe issues like slipped discs.

Because insurance companies frequently attempt to deny claims by blaming your pain entirely on your past medical history, seeking legal help from a Minnesota workers’ compensation attorney is a wise decision. An experienced lawyer knows how to gather past and present medical records, prove that your job duties aggravated your preexisting back condition, and fight for the medical treatment and wage-loss benefits you deserve.