Have a pre-existing condition worsened by a car accident? Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today to secure the compensation you deserve.
Car accidents can cause significant injuries, but they can also worsen pre-existing medical conditions, complicating recovery and legal claims. Understanding how car accidents interact with existing health issues, what rights you have, and how to build a strong case can make all the difference.
If you or a loved one has experienced an exacerbation of a pre-existing condition due to a car accident, it’s crucial to act quickly. We can help. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus or multiple sclerosis.
How Car Accidents Affect Pre-Existing Conditions
Exacerbation of Chronic Pain or Injuries
Car accidents often worsen issues like back pain, joint problems, or prior neck injuries. For example, a person with mild disc degeneration may experience a herniated disc after the collision.
Delayed Recovery
Pre-existing conditions can slow the healing process. For instance, someone with diabetes may have difficulty recovering from car accident injuries due to impaired circulation and immune response.
New Symptoms or Increased Severity
A car accident may trigger new symptoms related to an existing condition. A previously manageable issue, such as arthritis, could worsen to the point of significantly limiting mobility.
Mental Health Impact
Those with anxiety, depression, or PTSD may find that a car accident intensifies their mental health struggles, requiring additional treatment or therapy.
The “Eggshell Plaintiff” Rule
Legally, the “eggshell plaintiff” rule ensures that an individual’s pre-existing condition cannot be used against them. This means:
You Are Taken As You Are:
If the accident worsens your condition, the at-fault party is responsible, regardless of how fragile your health was before the crash.
Full Compensation Is Possible:
Even if your injuries are more severe because of your condition, you can seek full damages.
However, you must prove the accident directly caused the aggravation or worsening of your condition.
Challenges in Cases Involving Pre-Existing Conditions
Proving Aggravation: Insurance companies often argue that your condition wasn’t worsened by the accident or that the worsening was inevitable.
Medical Documentation: It’s critical to distinguish between pre-existing and new or aggravated symptoms.
Bias Against Victims: Insurers may attempt to minimize payouts by claiming your condition was unrelated to the accident.
Medical treatments, including tests, therapies, and medications
Missed work or changes in daily life
Notify Your Attorney
If you hire a personal injury attorney, disclose your complete medical history. Transparency ensures they can build a strong case and counter any arguments from the insurance company.
Medical Evidence in Pre-Existing Condition Cases
The key to winning a claim involving pre-existing conditions lies in medical evidence. This includes:
Comparative Medical Records: Doctors compare your condition before and after the accident to determine the impact.
Expert Testimony: Physicians or specialists may testify how the accident specifically aggravated your condition.
Diagnostic Imaging: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans can show physical changes caused by the accident.
Compensation for Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions
Victims with pre-existing conditions can seek damages for:
Prove Causation: Gather medical evidence to show how the accident worsened your condition.
Fight Insurance Denials: Counter tactics used to deny or minimize your claim.
Negotiate Settlements: Work to secure compensation that reflects the accident’s full impact on your life.
Provide Expert Connections: Collaborate with medical experts to strengthen your case.
Preventing Complications in Pre-Existing Condition Cases
Disclose Your Medical History: Concealing your condition can harm your credibility.
Follow Medical Advice: Attend all treatments and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Stay Organized: Keep copies of all medical records, accident reports, and correspondence with insurance companies.
Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm Today
Car accidents can profoundly impact pre-existing medical conditions, making life more challenging for those affected. However, the law is designed to protect victims, ensuring they are compensated for the full extent of their injuries and the aggravation of existing conditions.
If you or a loved one has experienced an exacerbation of a pre-existing condition due to a car accident, it’s crucial to act quickly. We can help. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
