Hurt in Rochester? Can You Sue If an Injury Makes Your Chronic Condition Worse?

Living with a chronic condition is tough. You’ve probably spent years figuring out how to manage the pain, keep up with daily life, and stay as independent as possible. Then, out of nowhere, an accident happens—a car crash on I-490, a slip outside a store on Monroe Avenue, or an injury at work. Suddenly, that pain you had under control? It’s worse than ever. Now, you're wondering if a personal injury attorney at Horn Wright, LLP, can help you get compensation for an accident that made your chronic condition unbearable. The short answer—yes, you can. Let’s break it down.

When a Rochester Car Crash, Slip, or Workplace Accident Makes Your Condition Unbearable

Accidents don’t care about your medical history. Whether you’ve been dealing with arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, or another chronic condition, one bad fall or a sudden impact can turn manageable discomfort into relentless, life-altering pain. Maybe you were able to work full-time before, but now even simple tasks feel impossible. Maybe you used to enjoy walks along the Genesee River, but now the pain keeps you on the couch.

Here’s the good news: New York law is on your side. There’s something called the "eggshell plaintiff" rule. Basically, it means that if someone else’s negligence worsens your pre-existing condition, they’re responsible for the damage. In other words, just because you had a medical history doesn’t mean they get a free pass.

Fighting Back Against Insurance Denials for Chronic Pain Sufferers

Insurance companies love to say, "Oh, that pain? That was already there." But you know better. You know your body, and you know this isn’t just a flare-up—it’s something new, something worse. So how do you fight back when they try to brush you off? Here’s what you need to do:

• Gather Comprehensive Medical Documentation: Your medical records are your strongest weapon. You need proof of what your condition was like before the accident and how much worse it got after. If you were handling arthritis with over-the-counter meds before but now need steroid injections or physical therapy, that’s a big deal—and it should be documented.
• Consult with Medical Experts: Doctors who specialize in chronic pain, neurology, or orthopedics can explain exactly how an accident made your condition worse. There’s real science behind how trauma can trigger fibromyalgia flare-ups or worsen joint damage.
• Get a Personal Injury Attorney Who Knows How to Fight Insurance Companies: A strong legal advocate will make sure the insurance adjusters don’t twist your words or downplay your pain. Rochester lawyers have won six- and seven-figure settlements for cases just like yours. You deserve the same chance.

Your Medical Records Hold the Key to Winning Your Case

If you want fair compensation, medical records are everything. Insurance companies aren’t just going to take your word for it—you’ve got to show them proof.

• Keep Every Doctor’s Appointment: Gaps in treatment make it easy for insurance companies to argue that your condition isn’t that bad. If your pain has gotten worse, make sure your doctor is tracking it.
• Write Everything Down: Start a daily pain journal. Note what hurts, what activities you can’t do anymore, and how it’s affecting your life. This isn’t just useful for your case—it helps doctors adjust your treatment too.
• Save All Treatment Records: Physical therapy, prescription meds, special equipment—keep every receipt and bill. If your treatment changed after the accident, it helps prove that your condition got worse because of the injury, not just time.

What to Do If You Had a Pre-Existing Condition in Rochester

If an accident makes your condition worse, don’t wait. Take these steps right away:

1. See a Doctor Immediately: Even if you think it’s just a flare-up, get checked out. Hospitals like Strong Memorial and Rochester General have specialists who can help.
2. New York workers’ compensation law requires accurate reporting of workplace injuries, so make sure to tell your doctor about the accident: They need to know what happened so they can connect your worsening symptoms to the injury.
3. Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney Before You Talk to Insurance: Insurance adjusters aren’t your friends. They want to pay you as little as possible.
4. Track Every Symptom and Expense: Missed workdays, increased pain, new medications—write it all down.

The sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be.

How to Prove an Accident Worsened Your Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, or Migraines

You know your body better than anyone but proving that an accident made your chronic condition worse takes solid evidence. Here’s how you do it:

• Medical Records Show the Difference: If your arthritis was manageable before but now you need stronger meds or surgery, that’s proof.
• Expert Testimony Backs You Up: Specialists can explain why your accident caused your condition to deteriorate.
• Daily Journals Show the Impact: Writing down how your pain affects your life every day paints a clear picture of what’s changed.
• Family & Friends Can Confirm Changes: People who see you every day can testify to how much harder life has become since the accident.

What Kind of Settlement Can You Expect for Long-Term Suffering?

Every case is different, but the more severe your condition is now compared to before the accident, the higher your potential settlement. Here’s what affects your payout:

• How Much Worse Is Your Condition: If you went from occasional pain to daily agony, that’s worth more in damages.
• Your Ability to Work: If you had a steady job before but now struggle to keep up, lost wages and future earning potential will be factored in.
• Medical Costs: Your settlement should cover everything from past medical bills to future treatments.
• Pain & Suffering: Chronic pain affects every part of your life—your relationships, hobbies, mental health. That matters, too.

Some Rochester residents have received six- and seven-figure settlements when accidents permanently worsened their health. Under New York personal injury law, even if you had a pre-existing condition, you could still recover damages if the accident made it worse. One 29-year-old man needed two spine surgeries after a crash and won a $1.35 million settlement. Another person with a pre-existing back injury saw their condition deteriorate after a workplace fall and secured $950,000. Your case could be worth just as much, if not more.

You Didn’t Deserve This. But You DO Deserve Justice.

We’ve helped countless people in your shoes—people with pre-existing conditions who just want to heal without a legal nightmare. We know how to take on the insurance giants, work with doctors, and gather the right evidence to prove exactly what you’re going through. 

Insurance companies will do everything they can to downplay your pain. Our team of personal injury lawyers know their tactics, and we know how to fight back. With strong medical evidence, aggressive negotiation, and a relentless pursuit of the truth, we’ll make sure they don’t ignore what you’re going through.

Call Horn Wright, LLP, today and take the first step toward the justice you deserve.