Can You File a Claim for Aggravated Pre-Existing Injuries in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, pre-existing conditions do not automatically prevent you from filing a personal injury claim. If an accident worsens your condition, you may still have the right to seek compensation. The key is understanding how Tennessee law treats pre-existing injuries and what evidence you need to support your case. With the right legal approach and medical documentation, you can show how the accident aggravated your condition and affected your health and daily life. Pre-existing conditions in personal injury cases don’t automatically disqualify you from compensation.

What Are Pre-Existing Conditions in Personal Injury Claims?

A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or health concern you had before the accident. These conditions can range from physical to mental and may include:

• Chronic back or neck pain
• Arthritis or joint problems
• Past concussions or brain injuries
• Anxiety, depression, or PTSD
• Old fractures, surgeries, or mobility issues

Tennessee applies the “eggshell plaintiff” rule, which means the at-fault party is liable for all resulting harm, even if the injury impacts the preservation of your claim more severely due to your pre-existing condition. In other words, the defendant must take you as they find you, with existing health issues. The role of pre-existing conditions in injury claims is important because it doesn’t erase your right to compensation.

When an Accident Worsens an Old Injury

Accidents don’t happen on their own. If someone else caused the accident and it made your health problems worse, Tennessee law might still allow you to file a claim. For example:

• A pre-existing back injury aggravated by a car crash
• A surgically repaired knee was reinjured in a fall
• A traumatic event reignites anxiety or PTSD

Even if you were managing well before the accident, it may now force you to seek new treatment, miss work, or adjust your daily routine. These changes matter.

How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Your Claim

If you have a medical history, expect the insurance company to investigate it. They will likely argue that your symptoms existed before the accident. You must show how your condition changed after the incident to push back. Strong documentation and clear comparisons between past and current symptoms can significantly affect your suffering in a personal injury claim.

Proving Aggravation of a Pre-Existing Condition

For example, if you had a manageable back problem before the crash but now deal with constant pain, that change is noteworthy. The more medical proof you have, the stronger your case. Doctor’s notes, imaging scans, and detailed records showing how your condition worsened can help support your personal injury claim.

Timeline and Consistency Matter

Getting medical care quickly and keeping up with treatment are essential. If there are delays or gaps, it becomes harder to prove the accident made things worse, and the insurance company may use that to fight your claim.

Insurance Defense Tactics

Insurance companies might try to downplay how the accident affected you, argue your injuries weren’t related, or offer a low settlement. This is common in chronic pain cases, where it’s harder to separate the new injury from pre-existing issues – but that doesn’t mean your claim isn’t valid.

That is why it’s crucial to lay out a detailed timeline showing how the accident affected your health. Point out what symptoms you already had and what new problems started after the incident.

Tips for Handling Personal Injury Claims with a Pre-Existing Condition

A pre-existing condition can complicate a personal injury case, but not ruin your chances. With solid evidence and preparation, you can still build a strong, persuasive claim for compensation. 

Be Honest About Your Medical History

Always be honest about your medical history. Insurance adjusters can review records and may try to use any inconsistencies against you. Being upfront gives your attorney what they need to build a clear strategy and protect your personal injury claim from unnecessary challenges or delays.

Work Closely with Your Medical Providers

Let your doctor know the accident worsened a previous injury and ask them to document how things have changed. Clear medical records help show the difference between old and new symptoms, making tracking your progress easier and supporting your personal injury claim with solid, consistent medical evidence. 

Keep a Symptom Journal

Keep a daily record of your symptoms, including how they’ve changed since the accident. Note pain levels, more strenuous activities, and any new limitations. This kind of ongoing log can serve as strong evidence to support your claim and show how your condition has gotten worse over time. In fact, research supports the value of symptom tracking in chronic pain management, helping patients and providers better understand patterns and progress over time. 

Watch Your Words in Conversations

Be mindful when talking with insurance adjusters. They may twist your words to suggest the accident did not affect your condition. Let your attorney handle communication whenever possible.

Focus on Documenting Past vs. Current Symptoms

Keep a clear timeline of how you felt before and after the accident. Compare your ability to work, exercise, or perform daily tasks. This comparison helps paint a clearer picture of the aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

Staying organized, honest, and proactive gives your attorney the tools to prove how the accident changed your life. 

Please read more about the car accident report here: How to File a Car Accident Report in Tennessee

What You Can Recover in These Cases

If you can prove the accident worsened your condition, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, ongoing treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. It is not just about your pre-existing condition, but how the incident changed it. With detailed records and clear comparisons, you can build a strong case showing that the accident worsened your health and impacted your quality of life. 

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney in Memphis

Dealing with old injuries in claims is tricky, especially when insurance companies downplay your struggles. The Memphis personal injury attorneys at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC know how to handle these nuanced cases. Our team builds clear, persuasive arguments highlighting the difference between your life before and after the accident.

If you are dealing with an accident-related injury that exacerbates a pre-existing condition, call (901) 526-2126 or contact us online to discuss your options. Don’t wait to get started – your ability to file may be limited by time. Let us help you move forward with confidence.