Can I reopen my workers’ comp claim if my condition worsens over time?
Answer
Yes, you can—if you’ve had a work injury and you’ve been out of work for some time but recover or recover enough to return to work, and then something happens in the future that leaves you unable to work again due to that original work-related injury, you can reopen your case and seek benefits for what we call a recurrence or a return of incapacity. As long as you can show, medically, that the cause is the original injury and that it has returned or worsened to the point of disability again, you would be entitled to benefits. If you’re partially disabled, you could start receiving benefits again from the point the recurrence occurred.
You can learn more about your options for RI workers’ comp benefits and how to proceed with a claim. If you want an overview of your rights under Rhode Island law, our workman’s compensation attorneys can guide you through the process.
It may also help to review related cases, such as Can Workers’ Compensation Be Reopened? and What if my claim is denied?, which discuss scenarios similar to recurrences or claim challenges.
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