You may not think that an ailment as common as arthritis could be covered by workers’ compensation. But you have a right to file a claim for arthritis and other conditions if your on-the-job injury reactivates or accelerates your condition.
Arthritis is a form of joint inflammation. It is also used to describe many kinds of rheumatic conditions that affect joints such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and fibromyalgia.
Degenerative disc disease can also be exacerbated by work injuries. This condition can lead to severe neck and lower back pain. Although it is not an official disease, degenerative disc disease is a medical condition cause by damaged spinal discs.
Depending on what your job is, you may be more prone to arthritis and degenerative disc disease. Things like repetitive motions and extended sedentary periods put you at a higher risk of developing these conditions.
If you think you may have a worker’s compensation claim because of these conditions, discuss your options with a trusted workers’ compensation attorney. You may be entitled to compensation even if the condition you developed was not the result of an at-work accident initially.
Always seek medical attention for your illnesses and conditions. Then speak to an attorney about the best course of action to follow going forward.