Roughly 40 million people have arthritis in the United States. Often, it is a natural part of aging, but people of any age can develop arthritis, and it can be extremely painful.

If your work environment or duties aggravate your arthritis symptoms, then you have the right to file for Workers’ Compensation benefits. At Quatrini Law Group, our attorneys have extensive experience and a long record of success guiding Pennsylvania workers to obtain their Workers’ Compensation.

How Aggravated Arthritis Happens at Work

Arthritis is commonly a preexisting injury, and aggravated arthritis, or flares, can be triggered by various work activities, such as: overexertion, repetitive motions, stress, or other physical injuries. These activities can cause arthritis symptoms, such as joint pain, swelling, and stiffness to worsen. Many positions could involve these activities, including teachers, construction workers, and office workers.

Workers’ Compensation Cases Involving Aggravated Arthritis

Aggravated arthritis can prevent you from doing your job or even keep you out of work. However, as long as you can prove that your work significantly worsened your arthritis symptoms, you can obtain Workers’ Compensation benefits.

Repetitive Motion and Cumulative Joint Injuries

Arthritic joints are more vulnerable than healthy joints. Constant, repetitive motions can stress those joints with little recovery time between tasks, exacerbating your existing arthritis.

Acute Exacerbations from Workplace Activities

When pain flares up at work and improves when you are off, you may be experiencing acute exacerbations on the job. Your arthritis may occur more often or the pain may be more acute.

Interaction with Other Physical Injuries

Arthritis can exist with other bodily injuries, such as bad backs, injured necks or shoulders, or injured knees or hips. A thorough medical exam can document all of your injuries.

Chronic Joint Degeneration Impacting Work Duties

The longer you exacerbate your arthritis, the worse it will get. The key point is that your arthritis got worse faster because of your job — not just because of aging.

How Quatrini Law Group Helps With Aggravated Arthritis Claims

Quatrini Law Group has helped workers from all over Western Pennsylvania to claim Workers’ Compensation benefits for Aggravated Arthritis. We will review your medical evidence and work history, communicate with the insurance company, and guide you through the hearing process. We never charge upfront legal fees and offer free consultations.

Meet Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Understanding Aggravated Arthritis Claims in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act recognizes that pre-existing conditions, such as arthritis, can be made worse by your job. These are not easy claims to prove, but with careful documentation and thorough medical exams, it is possible to win your case.

Related Workers’ Compensation Issues We Handle

Frequently Asked Questions About Aggravated Arthritis Workers’ Compensation

What qualifies as aggravated arthritis under Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation?

Arthritis itself isn’t automatically covered, but Pennsylvania law does cover it if your work activities aggravated, accelerated, or worsened a pre-existing arthritic condition. Repetitive motions, heavy lifting, prolonged physical strain, or a specific workplace injury measurably worsened your arthritis can all make arthritis worse..

How do I prove my arthritis was made worse by my job?

A medical expert who can clearly connect your worsened condition to your work duties, documented work history showing the physical demands of your job, medical records showing the progression of your arthritis over time, and your own testimony about how your job tasks affected your symptoms all can help to prove your job duties made your arthritis worse.

Can a pre-existing condition be covered under Workers’ Comp?

Yes. Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation recognizes that a job can sometimes make pre-existing conditions worse. If your job aggravated a pre-existing condition and was a substantial contributing factor, you may still be entitled to benefits.

Do I need a lawyer to help with an aggravated arthritis claim?

The insurance company will almost certainly argue your arthritis issues do not entitle you to Workers’ Compensation benefits. A lawyer can help you secure the right medical expert, frame the legal argument correctly, and counter the employer’s independent medical examination (IME), which almost always favors the insurer.

Talk With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer About Your Arthritis-Related Injury

Call any of our Western Pennsylvania offices at 888-534-6016 or send an email to arrange a free consultation to discuss your Workers’ Compensation concerns with a knowledgeable lawyer. Our consultations are free.