What Happens When a Car Accident Victim Has a Pre-Existing Condition?
A car accident can cause serious injuries, but what happens when the person involved already has a medical condition? Many accident victims worry that a previous injury or chronic health problem will prevent them from receiving compensation.
Fortunately, having a pre-existing condition does not automatically disqualify someone from filing a personal injury claim in Missouri. If a collision worsens an existing medical condition, the injured person may be entitled to compensation for the additional harm caused by the accident.
Labovitz Law Firm can explain how these claims work and help a car accident victim protect their rights and respond to insurance company challenges.
What Is a Pre-Existing Condition in a Car Accident Claim?
A pre-existing condition is an injury, illness, or medical issue that existed before a motor vehicle accident. Common examples include:
- Herniated discs or degenerative disc disease.
- Chronic back or neck pain.
- Arthritis.
- Previous concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
- Prior fractures or joint injuries.
- Chronic pain conditions.
- Previous surgeries.
For example, someone with a history of lower back pain may experience significantly worse symptoms after being rear-ended on Interstate 64 in St. Louis. The question is whether the accident caused new injuries or aggravated an existing condition.
Can You Receive Compensation for an Aggravated Pre-Existing Condition?
Yes. Missouri law recognizes that an accident may aggravate an existing injury or medical condition. In Miller v. Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad Co., the Missouri Supreme Court addressed the distinction between a pre-existing condition and additional harm resulting from an injury.
A negligent party generally is not responsible for medical problems that existed independently of the accident. However, that party may be responsible for additional harm caused by aggravating those conditions.
What Is the Eggshell Plaintiff Rule?
The eggshell plaintiff rule is a legal principle recognizing that a negligent defendant generally takes an injured person as they find them. Some individuals are more vulnerable to injury because of age, medical history, or existing physical limitations.
For example, a person with osteoporosis may suffer a more serious fracture than someone without that condition during a similar collision.
When the defendant’s negligence causes the injury, the victim’s increased vulnerability does not automatically eliminate liability. The central issue remains whether the accident caused or worsened the claimed harm.
How Do Insurance Companies Handle Pre-Existing Conditions?
Insurance companies frequently examine medical histories when evaluating personal injury claims. An insurer may argue that symptoms existed before the accident or that treatment would have been necessary regardless of the collision. Common insurance arguments include:
- The victim had similar complaints before the crash.
- Medical imaging shows degenerative changes.
- The accident did not cause the current symptoms.
- The requested treatment relates to an older injury.
- The claimed disability results from an unrelated condition.
These arguments do not automatically defeat a claim. However, they make medical documentation and evidence of changes in the victim’s condition particularly important.
Can an Insurance Company Deny a Claim Because of Medical History?
An insurer may dispute whether the accident caused particular injuries or expenses. Remember, a prior diagnosis alone does not establish that the accident caused no additional harm.
A car accident victim may need medical evidence showing how symptoms, treatment requirements, or physical limitations changed after the collision.
How Can You Prove a Car Accident Made an Existing Condition Worse?
Establishing the connection between the collision and the aggravated condition is often one of the most important parts of a personal injury case.
Compare Medical Records Before and After the Accident
Medical records can show whether symptoms became more severe or treatment needs increased.
For example, someone who previously managed occasional back pain with over-the-counter medication may require injections, physical therapy, or surgery after a crash.
The difference between the person’s condition before and after the accident may help establish aggravation.
Obtain Medical Opinions
Treating physicians may explain whether the collision caused new injuries or worsened an existing condition. Medical evaluations can address changes in symptoms, diagnostic findings, functional limitations, and treatment needs.
Document Changes in Daily Activities
A personal injury claim may also involve changes in the victim’s ability to work and complete ordinary tasks. Useful documentation includes:
- Missed workdays.
- New physical restrictions.
- Increased medication use.
- Physical therapy appointments.
- Difficulty walking, lifting, or driving.
- Changes in sleep or daily activities.
Consistent records can help demonstrate how the accident affected the person’s health and quality of life.
What Compensation May Be Available in Missouri?
When a car accident aggravates a pre-existing condition, the injured person may pursue damages for losses attributable to the collision. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
- Emergency medical expenses.
- Additional medical treatment.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Future medical expenses.
- Permanent physical limitations.
A victim generally cannot recover compensation for an unrelated condition that would have caused the same losses without the accident. The challenge is identifying the additional harm caused by the collision.
Does Missouri’s Comparative Fault Law Affect These Claims?
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system for ordinary negligence claims. Under Gustafson v. Benda, an injured person’s compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility for the accident.
For example, if a driver is found 20% responsible for a collision, the damages awarded may be reduced by 20%.
However, having a pre-existing medical condition is not the same as being at fault for an accident. Medical vulnerability concerns the extent and cause of the injuries, while comparative fault concerns responsibility for the collision.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Missouri?
Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, most negligence-based personal injury lawsuits generally have a five-year statute of limitations.
However, exceptions and different deadlines may apply depending on the circumstances, including claims involving government entities. Waiting can also make it harder to preserve accident evidence and obtain witness statements.
Seeking legal guidance promptly can help protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-Existing Conditions
What if My Condition Did Not Show Symptoms Before the Accident?
A previously diagnosed condition may become symptomatic after a collision. Medical evidence may help determine whether the accident activated or aggravated the condition.
Can a Car Accident Make Degenerative Disc Disease Worse?
Yes, a collision may aggravate symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease. Whether it did so in a particular case requires medical evaluation and evidence connecting the worsening condition to the accident.
Do I Have to Disclose Previous Injuries?
Relevant medical history may need to be disclosed during a personal injury claim. Providing accurate information allows the evidence to distinguish earlier conditions from new or aggravated injuries.
Contact Labovitz Law Firm After a Car Accident in St. Louis
A pre-existing condition should not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation when another driver’s negligence causes additional injuries.
At Labovitz Law Firm, we understand that accident victims may face difficult insurance disputes, ongoing medical treatment, and uncertainty about their financial future. Our firm represents individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents throughout St. Louis, Missouri, and surrounding communities.
If a car accident has worsened an existing medical condition, contact Labovitz Law Firm to discuss your legal options.
