“Many ills may strike, but one must answer.” Medical Causation Standards in Worker’s Compensation Claims

Causation and Workers’ Compensation? It’s complicated, and it varies by state. The concept is that to qualify for Workers’ Comp there must be a direct link between the injury (or illness) and the workplace. But how do you prove what’s a direct result of the workplace and what was the result of a prior injury or condition? 

Here’s where it gets confusing. Every state has its own rules. There are varying degrees of required proof, pre-existing conditions, mental trauma, contributing causes, and it can be a challenge to sift through each jurisdiction’s standards. 

Hosts Judson and Alan Pierce dissect how pre-existing conditions complicate work-related injury claims. It’s not always as clear as it seems, and state-by-state regulations create even more confusion. Add in workplace psychological stresses and it goes even deeper.

If you have thoughts on Workers’ Comp law or an idea for a topic or guest you’d like to hear, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

“AMA Guides® to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment: An Overview” 

“AMA Guides to Disease and Injury Causation,” by J. Mark Melhorn

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