A crash can worsen chronic back pain, aggravate an old neck injury or bring back long-term symptoms. Victims may worry that insurers will deny a claim because of a prior condition. Minnesota courts follow the rule that defendants must take victims as they find them. This means victims may still recover damages when a crash worsens a pre-existing condition.
How Minnesota applies the eggshell skull rule
Minnesota courts apply the eggshell skull rule. A negligent driver may be liable for the full harm caused, even when a prior condition makes an injury worse. For example, a driver may remain liable when a crash worsens degenerative disc disease.
Pre-crash medical records do not prevent recovery. The plaintiff must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the crash substantially worsened the condition or caused new symptoms. Medical records, imaging, treatment notes and functional assessments can show the change before and after the crash.
What insurers examine in preexisting condition cases
Insurers may review medical histories closely to argue that current symptoms came from a prior condition, not the crash. For those who have gone through an accident, several parts of the medical record may become important:
- Years of treatment records that may show gaps in care
- Statements indicating that chronic pain existed at a similar level before the accident
- Medical opinions stating that imaging findings reflect age-related changes rather than crash-related trauma
Clear medical records can help support these claims. Useful evidence may include treatment records, doctors’ statements linking symptoms to the crash and tests done soon after the accident. Medical experts may also help with pre-existing conditions. They can show what limits existed before the crash and what harm it caused.
Protecting the right to fair compensation
A preexisting condition does not end a Minnesota car accident claim, but it does make documentation more important. Seeking medical care promptly after the crash, continuing treatment consistently, and preserving records from before and after the accident can all help establish how the collision changed the condition. A Minnesota personal injury attorney can review the medical evidence and help build a claim that accurately reflects the harm the accident caused.