Common Conditions of Workers’ Compensation in Denver

Workers’ compensation protects injured employees who suffer injuries while working. But when an injury occurs, the employee often wonders whether their condition will be covered by the insurance company. Truthfully, there are common conditions workers develop on the job, and most of them will be covered. However, there are some that may not be. For this reason, it is important to ask an experienced workers’ compensation attorney any questions regarding a condition. Read on to learn more about common conditions of workers’ compensation in Denver, as well as the ways a dedicated lawyer could offer you assistance today.

Examples of Common Conditions

In Denver, there are common conditions that show up on workers’ compensation claims more often than others. Mental conditions, physical trauma, and injuries caused by repetitive motions such as carpal tunnel are exceedingly present. Occupational diseases such as cancer from asbestos exposure are also some of the most common. Other common conditions related to workers’ comp coverage can include:

• Strokes
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Broken bones and fractures
• Head injuries
• Hernias
• Bulging and herniated disks
• Torn rotator cuffs
• Torn cartilage between the joints

While these are some of the most common conditions, there are others that show up regularly as well. Arthritis, amputation of limbs, ankle and foot injuries, injuries to the back and neck, burns, eye injuries, and hearing loss are all eligible conditions that can be claimed for through workers’ compensation.

Conditions Not Covered Under Workers’ Compensation

While most common injuries incurred at work can be claimed through Denver workers’ compensation, there are some that cannot. One of these are injuries that occur due to horseplay, or an employee not doing their job. Because they were not performing their required duties at the time and essentially were not working, these injuries cannot be claimed through workers’ compensation.

While it may seem strange that an employee would hurt themselves on purpose while on the job, it does happen. When they do, those injuries also cannot be claimed through workers’ compensation. This is to prevent claims from individuals who want to stop going to work and start receiving benefits. While an employee can contribute to or cause an accident that injures them and still receive benefits, they cannot if they caused the accident on purpose.

Injuries resulting from natural disasters also cannot be claimed through workers’ compensation. For instance, if an employee was at work during an earthquake and an object fell and hit the employee on their head, the employee would not be able to file a claim.

When Can Pre-Existing Conditions Be Covered?

Many employees feel that if they already had a condition before they began working at their job, they will not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. But that may not be true. While an employee cannot file for workers’ compensation on the job strictly for a condition they had before they started working, they can file for benefits if the job worsens their condition. For instance, if a worker experienced a bad back injury before starting a job and a job worsened that condition, they may still be able to apply for workers’ compensation.

These cases can be more complicated than straight injuries that happened on the job and did not include a pre-existing condition. For this reason, the insurance company and their lawyers may try to debate the claim. In order to protect one’s right to coverage, an employee may need assistance from a Denver attorney experienced in the common conditions of workers’ compensation as soon as possible.

Consult With a Denver Attorney About Common Conditions for Workers’ Compensation Claims

Anyone filing a workers’ compensation claim should speak to a skilled injury attorney. They will know how to file for the common conditions of workers’ compensation in Denver as well as more complicated injuries, such as those that involve pre-existing conditions. If you are filing for workers’ compensation in Denver and have questions about a claim, speak with an experienced injury attorney today who can help guide you through the process.