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Is Age a Factor in a Workers’ Comp Case?

Believe it or not, age is a factor in some workers’ compensation cases. While you should not expect to be denied benefits due to your age, you may have trouble accessing the compensation that you deserve. That only means that you will need to fight harder to access the benefits that are rightfully yours. That is where our legal team comes in.

In this article, the Greenville, SC, workers’ compensation lawyers at Fulton & Barr, Attorneys at Law, discuss the impact that a person’s age will have when filing a workers’ comp claim.

Older Workers Are More Likely to Have Pre-Existing Conditions

Older individuals are more prone to having arthritis and joint pain, which may be exacerbated by a work injury. Workers’ compensation insurance providers are aware that older workers will have higher medical bills, causing insurance companies to raise their premiums to insure older workers.

Following an on-the-job accident, the problem lies in determining which symptoms are a result of the work accident and which are part of a pre-existing condition. Workers’ compensation insurance may even attempt to avoid paying entirely by claiming that your ailments are caused by the natural progression of your disease, not related to your accident whatsoever.

Older Workers Are More Susceptible to Injuries

It may come as no surprise that more physically demanding jobs come with an increased risk of injuries. Moreover, it has been established that employees 50 years of age or older who do not have the physical strength to meet the demands of their jobs are at the highest risk of being injured. Age-related illnesses can also impact a worker’s ability to perceive dangers, causing these workers to be even more susceptible to getting hurt.

Older Workers Have a Longer Recovery Time

Older workers typically require two weeks off from work to recover following a serious injury, twice as long as is needed by younger workers. If you have a pre-existing condition, this will only prolong your recovery time. Workers’ compensation insurance carriers do not want to pay out more than the bare minimum. To offset costs, the insurance company may pressure you to apply for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) in exchange for reduced workers’ comp benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Championing for Older Adults

At Fulton & Barr, Attorneys at Law, we believe that every worker should receive adequate compensation for any work-related injuries. Although older individuals take longer to recover, older employees typically take fewer risks on the job, resulting in fewer claims than younger workers. When you hire our Greenville workers’ compensation lawyers, you can rest assured that we will take appropriate measures to fight for the compensation that you deserve.

Contact Our Greenville Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today

If you have recently been denied workers’ comp benefits due to your age, do not hesitate to contact our legal team. At Fulton & Barr, Attorneys at Law, our Greenville workers’ compensation lawyers believe that workers’ comp insurance should be an equal provider to both employees, young and old. We know that you have made sacrifices in your life, but accepting reduced benefits should not be one of them. To schedule your consultation or to learn more, contact us online or by phone today.