Have you been injured in an accident, but already had a pre-existing medical condition? If the answer is yes, you may be wondering:
“Can I still file a personal injury claim?”
“Will the insurance company deny my case?”
“Does my previous injury ruin my chances of compensation?”
These are common concerns, and they stop many people from seeking the help they deserve.
The truth is this: having a pre-existing condition does NOT prevent you from recovering compensation in Missouri. But insurance companies often try to use prior injuries as an excuse to reduce or deny claims.
At Price & Randle, we help injured Missourians protect their rights, even when insurers attempt to shift the blame. Let’s break down everything you need to know.
What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness, or medical issue you had before the accident. Examples include:
- Prior back or neck injuries
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis
- Old knee or shoulder injuries
- Previous concussions
- Chronic pain conditions
- Mental health conditions like anxiety or PTSD
Many adults have some form of prior medical history. That does not disqualify you from pursuing a personal injury claim.
The “Eggshell Plaintiff” Rule in Missouri
Missouri follows what’s commonly referred to as the “eggshell plaintiff” rule.
This legal principle means:
A negligent party must take a victim as they find them, even if the victim was more vulnerable due to a pre-existing condition.
In other words, if someone’s negligence worsens your prior condition, they can still be held responsible for the damage they caused.
For example:
- If you had mild back pain before a car accident but now require surgery, the at-fault driver may be responsible for the worsening of that condition.
- If you had prior anxiety but developed severe PTSD after a crash, the new trauma is compensable.
The key issue is not whether you were perfectly healthy before—it’s whether the accident made your condition worse.
How Insurance Companies Use Pre-Existing Conditions Against You
Insurance companies are businesses, and like any other business, their goal is to minimize expenses, in this case, you pay off.
If they discover a prior medical issue, they may argue:
- “Your pain existed before the accident.”
- “This injury wasn’t caused by our insured.”
- “Your condition is degenerative, not accident-related.”
- “You were already being treated for this.”
They may request years of medical records, looking for anything they can use to reduce your claim.
This is why having experienced legal representation matters.
Aggravation of a Pre-Existing Condition
In personal injury law, there’s an important distinction:
- You cannot recover compensation for the original condition.
- You can recover compensation for the aggravation or worsening caused by the accident.
For example:
If you had a manageable back issue, but the accident caused:
- Increased pain
- Reduced mobility
- Need for injections or surgery
- Inability to work
Then the at-fault party may be responsible for those additional damages.
Proper medical documentation is critical to show the difference between your “before” and “after.”
Why Medical Documentation Is So Important
To protect your claim, you should:
- Seek medical treatment immediately after the accident
- Be honest with your doctor about your prior history
- Explain clearly how the symptoms changed after the accident
- Follow all treatment recommendations
- Keep records of appointments and expenses
Doctors can help distinguish between:
- Pre-existing baseline symptoms
- New trauma
- Worsening conditions
This medical clarity strengthens your case significantly.
What If You Didn’t Disclose a Prior Injury Right Away?
Always be truthful about your medical history.
Insurance companies will likely uncover prior records during their investigation. Failing to disclose a previous injury can damage your credibility.
However, disclosure does not mean defeat. It simply means your attorney must carefully present evidence showing how the accident caused new or worsened harm.
Common Scenarios We See
At Price & Randle, we frequently help clients who:
- Had previous back pain that became debilitating after a crash
- Had prior knee injuries that required surgery after a fall
- Suffered worsened migraines after a head injury
- Experienced intensified anxiety following a traumatic accident
In many of these cases, the insurance company initially tried to deny responsibility—until strong legal advocacy forced accountability.
How an Attorney Protects You When Pre-Existing Conditions Are Involved
Handling these cases requires strategy and attention to detail. An experienced personal injury attorney will:
- Collect complete medical histories
- Work with doctors to clarify aggravation
- Consult medical experts when necessary
- Challenge insurance company assumptions
- Prevent unfair blame-shifting
- Calculate long-term impact accurately
Without legal guidance, insurers may pressure you into accepting a reduced settlement.
Compensation You May Still Recover
Even with a pre-existing condition, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses related to the aggravation
- Future treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The focus is always on the impact the accident had on your life now.
Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Seeking Help
One of the biggest mistakes injury victims make is assuming:
“I had a prior injury, so I probably don’t have a case.”
This belief often benefits insurance companies, not victims.
Missouri law protects people who are made more vulnerable by prior conditions. You deserve compensation for the harm someone else caused, even if you weren’t in perfect health beforehand.
Talk to Price & Randle About Your Case
If you were injured and have concerns about a pre-existing condition, don’t guess about your rights. Let our team evaluate your situation.
At Price & Randle, we:
- Offer free consultations
- Carefully review your medical history
- Explain your options clearly
- Handle insurance negotiations
- Fight for full and fair compensation
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Remember: your past medical history does not define your future.
Contact Price & Randle today to discuss your personal injury case.
We’re here to protect your rights and help you move forward with confidence.
