How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Workers’ Compensation Claims in Minnesota

How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Workers’ Compensation Claims in Minnesota

What If a Past Injury Gets Held Against You?

Accidents at work happen. Maybe it’s a fall from a ladder, a lifting injury that sends pain shooting down your back, or a repetitive task that finally becomes unbearable. However, you have an additional problem: you already had a medical issue before this new injury happened.

Maybe it was an old back injury, arthritis, or a previous surgery that never fully healed. Now you're wondering whether that history will stop you from getting the workers’ compensation benefits you need.

If you're dealing with a work-related injury in Minnesota and have a past medical issue, you're probably asking the same question many others have asked: How do pre-existing conditions affect workers’ compensation claims in Minnesota? You’re not alone in worrying that your injury won’t be taken seriously or that insurance companies will try to use your medical history against you.

In reality, Minnesota law allows workers with pre-existing conditions to receive compensation if their job makes their condition worse. The key is showing that the work injury significantly aggravated or accelerated your condition.

Read on to learn about what counts as a pre-existing condition in the workers’ comp process and how Minnesota law treats aggravated injuries. You can also identify what documentation you’ll need to prove your claim as well as common defenses employers and insurers use to deny claims.

If you’ve been hurt on the job in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, or anywhere else in Minnesota—and you have a pre-existing condition—reach out to a workers’ comp attorney near you. A free consultation can help you better understand your legal options and what to do next.

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What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness, or medical problem you had before your work-related injury occurred. These conditions might have developed years earlier or even just weeks before you were hurt on the job.

They include:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis
• Prior back or neck injuries
• Old fractures or joint injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries from previous jobs
• Pre-existing mental health conditions

Even if these issues were stable or not causing you much trouble before your workplace accident, they can come into play if your job made them worse.

Aggravation vs. Exacerbation

People often use these terms interchangeably, but legally, they mean different things:

• Aggravation typically refers to a situation where a pre-existing condition is permanently worsened due to a work injury. That change is lasting and may require new treatment or lead to a disability that didn’t exist before.
• Exacerbation usually involves a temporary flare-up of symptoms. The underlying condition isn’t permanently changed, and symptoms return to their baseline level after treatment or rest.

Understanding this difference matters because insurance companies often try to label an injury as a mere “exacerbation” to minimize what they have to pay.

Minnesota’s Legal Framework for Pre-Existing Conditions

Minnesota workers’ compensation law doesn’t automatically penalize you for having a medical history. What matters is how the current injury relates to that history.

The “Substantial Contributing Factor” Standard

Minnesota uses the “substantial contributing factor” test to determine whether an injury qualifies for benefits. If your job was a significant cause in worsening your condition—even if it wasn’t the only factor—you can still qualify.

For example, if someone in Bloomington has chronic back pain but lifting heavy boxes at a warehouse job causes a disc to herniate, the new injury could qualify, even though the person had pre-existing back problems.

Gillette Injuries

A Gillette injury refers to a type of injury that develops over time due to repetitive stress or minor trauma that eventually leads to a serious problem. These are named after a Minnesota Supreme Court case that recognized this type of gradual-onset injury.

Let’s say someone in Mankato works on an assembly line. Over time, repetitive motion causes severe wrist pain, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome. Even if the person had mild wrist pain from a prior job, the new injury may still be compensable under Gillette.

Relevant Minnesota Statutes and Case Law

Minnesota Statute § 176.021 governs workers’ compensation liability and outlines that employers are liable even if a work injury aggravates a pre-existing condition.

Cases like Gillette v. Harold, Inc. and Stahl v. Northern States Power help clarify how courts evaluate these claims. They focus on whether the job contributed significantly to the injury—not whether it was the sole cause.

The Aggravation Doctrine in Minnesota

When a work-related incident worsens a previous condition, Minnesota law allows the injured worker to pursue benefits under what’s commonly known as the aggravation doctrine.

How Minnesota Law Treats Aggravated Pre-Existing Conditions

If a work injury permanently changes a condition you had before, it may be considered a new injury for workers' compensation purposes. That’s true even if your previous injury was work-related but from a different job.

Take someone in Duluth who had knee surgery five years ago but returned to work without restrictions. If their job now requires them to kneel or climb frequently, and that leads to a new tear or increased pain, the current employer may still be liable for a new injury.

Temporary vs. Permanent Aggravation

Workers’ comp judges look closely at medical records to see whether the injury caused a lasting change. If symptoms flare up for a short time and return to normal, that’s usually considered temporary. But if pain or disability persists—or new damage shows up in imaging tests—the aggravation may be seen as permanent.

Burden of Proof Requirements

You’ll need to show that your work played a major role in the aggravation of your condition. Medical opinions matter here. Statements from treating doctors that clearly link your worsening condition to your job tasks or incident can tip the scale in your favor.

Documentation and Medical Evidence

Insurers often challenge these claims, especially when they involve pre-existing conditions. That’s why strong documentation and medical evidence are essential from the start.

Why Medical Records Matter

Doctors’ notes, diagnostic images, and treatment timelines help show how your condition changed after the injury. These records should include your condition before the injury, how symptoms have worsened, and what new treatments are required.

Causation Statements

Minnesota workers’ compensation law often hinges on causation—whether the job injury actually caused or worsened your condition. A clear written statement from your doctor saying that work was a substantial contributing factor carries serious weight.

For example, if someone in St. Cloud saw a chiropractor for mild neck stiffness in the past but now needs surgery after a workplace fall, a doctor’s opinion can help show that the job injury accelerated the condition.

Establishing the Connection

The more detailed your doctor can be, the better. Specifics about your job duties, the incident, and how your condition changed afterward can help prove that your injury isn’t just a continuation of a prior issue but a new work-related problem.

Common Challenges and Employer Defenses

Insurance companies and employers often look for reasons to deny workers’ compensation claims—especially when a pre-existing condition is involved. Even when the injury clearly happened at work or symptoms worsened significantly, insurers may try to shift the blame away from the job and onto your medical history.

That’s where a workers’ compensation attorney makes a real difference. Having legal representation means you’re not the only one pushing back against tactics meant to weaken or dismiss your claim.

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How Employers and Insurers Undermine Claims

Insurance adjusters are trained to scrutinize medical records and use any inconsistency or omission to limit payouts. They might say:

• Your symptoms were already present before the injury.
• Your current condition is just part of the natural progression of age or illness.
• There’s no medical proof that your job made things worse.

In many cases, they’ll bring in an independent medical examiner (IME)—a doctor who often works for the insurance company. These doctors may claim your injury wasn’t caused or worsened by work, even if your treating physician says otherwise.

These tactics can feel intimidating, especially if your claim gets denied outright. But they’re also common—and experienced workers’ comp attorneys know exactly how to deal with them.

How an Attorney Can Help You Fight Back

An attorney doesn’t just fill out paperwork—they build a case that holds up against employer defenses and insurer tactics. That includes:

• Collecting detailed medical evidence that shows how the work injury aggravated your condition
• Securing supportive reports from treating doctors who understand how to explain causation in terms Minnesota judges recognize
• Challenging IME opinions and cross-examining biased medical witnesses
• Preparing you for hearings and representing you if your case goes before a judge
• Ensuring timelines and legal requirements are followed to keep your claim active and valid

Let’s say you live in Eagan and hurt your back lifting equipment at work. You already had mild lower back pain from years ago, but now you can’t stand for more than 15 minutes without sharp pain. If the insurance company claims the current problem isn’t related to your job, an attorney can bring in a physician’s opinion that clearly links the work activity to the worsening of your condition—and back it up with MRI results, treatment notes, and witness testimony.

Attorneys also know how to deal with employer surveillance, medical record requests, and lowball settlement offers. If the insurance company refuses to pay fair benefits, your lawyer can escalate the matter to a hearing and argue your case before a workers’ compensation judge.

Leveling the Playing Field

Employers have legal teams and insurance adjusters protecting their bottom line. Injured workers shouldn’t have to go it alone—especially when a previous condition complicates the picture. A skilled attorney helps level the playing field and keeps the focus where it belongs: on your injury, your ability to work, and your right to receive benefits under Minnesota law.

Steps to Take When Filing with a Pre-Existing Condition

Don’t wait for the insurance company to raise red flags about your medical history. Taking the right steps early can strengthen your claim.

Be Honest About Your Medical History

Tell your doctor and attorney about prior injuries or conditions—even if you think they don’t matter. Full disclosure helps avoid surprises and builds credibility.

Report the Injury Promptly

Minnesota law requires you to report work injuries within 14 days in most cases. Report it in writing to your employer, even if you think the pain will go away.

Work With the Right Medical Providers

Choose doctors who are experienced in treating work injuries and willing to write detailed, accurate reports. Keep all appointments and follow treatment instructions closely.

Timeframes and Deadlines to Be Aware Of

In Minnesota, workers have:

• 14 days to report a work injury for full benefit eligibility
• 30 days before late notice may reduce benefits
• 3 years to file a claim petition if the injury wasn’t properly reported and benefits weren’t paid

For gradual injuries like Gillette claims, the “date of injury” is usually when you stopped working or sought treatment. These timelines can affect whether you qualify for wage loss, medical coverage, or permanent disability.

Contact Our Experienced Minnesota Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today

If a workplace injury made an old condition worse—or if you’re worried that a prior diagnosis might hurt your claim—you don’t have to deal with the system alone. Insurance companies often try to avoid responsibility by blaming past medical issues, but Minnesota law doesn’t let them off the hook that easily.

At Fields Injury Law, we help injured workers across Minnesota—whether you live in Maple Grove, Moorhead, or Minnetonka—fight back when their legitimate claims are denied. Our legal team understands how pre-existing conditions affect workers’ compensation claims in Minnesota and knows what it takes to prove that a work injury made things worse.

You deserve fair treatment, even if you’ve been hurt before. Let us take the pressure off and handle your claim while you focus on healing. Contact Fields Injury Law today for a free consultation and find out how we can help protect your rights and your future.

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