If an employee has a pre-existing condition, what is generally considered for compensation after a work-related injury?

When evaluating a workers' compensation claim involving a pre-existing condition, the primary focus is on the work-related injury itself. Compensation is typically granted only for the new injury sustained at work and does not extend to the pre-existing condition unless the work-related injury significantly exacerbates or aggravates the condition.

In many cases, the objective is to assess how the new injury impacts the employee's ability to work or their overall health, rather than compensating for the entire scope of medical issues the employee may have prior to the injury. Therefore, the amount allowed for the new injury—taking into account the specifics of the claim, the extent of the injury, and how it relates to the employee’s capacity to work—is what will be considered for compensation.

This approach ensures that workers' compensation benefits are focused on addressing new and work-related injuries rather than compensating for previous health problems, which aligns with the purpose of the workers' compensation system.