When an accident strikes, so much feels out of our control. You face pain, uncertainty, mounting bills, and physical and emotional stress. Amid that chaos, your mind turns to how you will rebuild, how you will heal, and how you will be treated when seeking compensation.
If you have pre‑existing conditions, those concerns deepen. At Nelson Personal Injury in Minnesota, we hear your worry. You want an injury attorney in Minneapolis, MN, who understands that your past does not define your worth.
You want a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis who will stand for your whole story, not let prior health issues become a barrier to justice.
Pre‑Existing Conditions Should Not Shadow Your Case
We have spent nearly 40 years representing clients across Minnesota who have suffered serious personal injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. Our work has taught us that insurance companies often highlight pre-existing conditions as if they are excuses to minimize damage.
They may point to prior back pain or old injuries to diminish the accident’s impact. That approach is unfair. At Nelson Personal Injury, we believe you deserve full compensation for the harm caused by someone else, even if your body was not pristine before the crash.
Understanding How Pre‑Existing Conditions Play Into Personal Injury Claims
In Minnesota, injury claims are built on negligence, causation, and damages. A pre‑existing condition complicates, but does not disqualify, a case. Key principles include:
- Eggshell Plaintiff Rule: You take the claimant as you find them. If a minor trauma aggravates a prior condition into something serious, the defendant remains responsible for the full outcome.
- Comparative Negligence: Minnesota follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are less than 51 percent at fault, you can recover, but your percentage of fault will reduce any award.
So even if your pre‑existing condition contributed, the accident’s aggravation is still recoverable.
Why Having Us, Your Personal Injury Lawyer in Minneapolis, Makes a Difference
Experience, Personal Touch
We are not just any attorneys. Our firm was founded in 1995 by Timothy W. Nelson. In 2012, his son, Matthew J. Nelson, joined the firm. Over generations, we have helped thousands of Minnesotans recover millions of dollars in compensation for car, truck, motorcycle, dog bite, and slip-and-fall injuries.
You work directly with us. We do not delegate your story to a paralegal or associate. That means we listen carefully to how even minor‑seeming symptoms affect your daily life—no detail dismissed.
Contending with Insurance Tactics
Insurance companies often minimize or delay claims. They may use your pre‑existing condition as justification to reduce or deny compensation. We counter those tactics at every turn, using our insider knowledge and decades of experience to protect you.
When Pre‑Existing Conditions Are Brought Into Play
Let us say you had chronic lower‑back pain that flared slightly after a slip‑and‑fall. The truth may be that the accident caused a herniated disc requiring surgery. It is not the old pain we are compensating, it is the new, worsened injury you did not deserve.
Here is how we address these scenarios:
- We consult with medical professionals who explain how the accident specifically worsened your condition.
- We gather evidence, including pertinent medical records, imaging, and expert testimony.
- We educate jurors and adjusters, explaining that the accident was the catalyst for your suffering.
Building a Strong Case with Us
We approach every claim methodically and personally.
- We conduct a thorough investigation, including police reports, medical documents, and witness interviews.
- We consult with accident reconstruction experts, injury specialists, or treating physicians when needed.
- We negotiate relentlessly with insurers to ensure you are not railroaded into a lowball settlement.
And if negotiation fails, we are prepared to proceed to trial to ensure your full justice.
Real‑World Impact: Emotional and Financial Consequences
We have seen how pre‑existing conditions can intensify the impact of an accident. Clients often face:
- Increased lost wages due to slower recovery.
- Greater medical costs, often for surgeries or therapies that were unavailable in the past.
- Emotional distress, perhaps even the fear that their condition will never improve.
- Insurance companies often use delays in treatment or pre-existing medical records against them.
That is why we push for what truly reflects your pain and losses.
Steps You Should Take—With Our Support
- Seek immediate medical treatment, even for symptoms seeming “minor.” Documentation is vital.
- Tell your doctor about all your symptoms and how they differ from your previous symptoms.
- Do not speak with insurance companies without us present.
- Contact us as soon as possible; delays can cost evidence, and Minnesota has a two‑year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims.
Prevention of Future Harm—not Just Compensation
We believe in more than money. We pursue accountability. When someone’s negligence injures someone with a pre‑existing condition, that is a double blow. We work to prevent others from facing similar injustices.
We Fight for You
Every claimant carries more than medical charts; they hold stories. Maybe you had resumed work before the crash, or you pushed through pain to care for children. Now, the accident worsened your pre‑existing condition and robbed you of your normal. That is real. That is unjust. We not only see that story, but we also fight to have that story heard.
Let Your Recovery Stand on Its Own
Pre‑existing conditions are not a barrier. They are context. Minnesota law protects your right to full compensation when an accident aggravates your condition. As your Minneapolis, Minnesota accident lawyer, we stand for the whole truth of your suffering. With decades of experience, a family‑centered approach, and dogged advocacy, we will help you rebuild—emotionally, financially, and physically.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident and a pre‑existing condition has been made worse, reach out to us. Let us fight for your future—and ensure you are not silenced or diminished because of what came before. You deserve justice and healing—and we will stand with you every step of the way.
