When people think of workers’ compensation, they often picture a need for compensation following sudden accidents—falls, machinery injuries or lifting-related strains, for example. Workers’ comp certainly does cover such injuries. However, California workers’ compensation law also covers less obvious work-related injuries, including the exacerbation or worsening of chronic illnesses. For employees living with ongoing health conditions, a job environment that aggravates their condition may make them eligible for benefits.
Chronic illnesses can include a wide range of conditions such as asthma, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune concerns and respiratory problems. While these conditions may not have been caused by one’s job itself, work-related activities or exposures can significantly worsen symptoms.
For example, an office worker with carpal tunnel syndrome may experience increased pain from repetitive typing. A construction worker with pre-existing back issues may suffer a serious flare-up due to heavy lifting. Or, a worker with asthma might experience intensified symptoms due to exposure to dust, chemicals or poor ventilation on their job site.
If your chronic illness has gotten worse due to your job
Under California law, if your employment contributes to the worsening of a pre-existing condition, even partially, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This includes medical treatment, temporary disability payments and, in some cases, permanent disability if the condition at issue significantly impacts an employee’s ability to work. The key concern is whether a work environment or one’s duties has aggravated a condition beyond its natural progression.
It’s important to understand that proving a claim involving the exacerbation of a chronic illness can be more complex than a straightforward injury case. Insurance companies often push back on these kinds of claims, arguing that problematic symptoms were part of the natural course of the illness at issue or were unrelated to work.
Living with a chronic illness is difficult enough without facing added pain or complications due to your job. If your work is making your condition worse, workers’ compensation may provide the financial and medical support you need to manage your health and protect your livelihood. But, because filing this kind of claim can be uniquely challenging, it is generally wise to seek legal guidance and support before attempting to move forward with a pursuit for benefits.
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