Back in Nov. '00 I was involved in a mva (hit from behind) and sustained neck injuries. I went through PT, nerve blocks, injections, then finally RF's (radiofrequency neurotomies) in '01 & '02--after second RF, pain went away and no more problems with neck.

Then in Nov. '01 another mva (hit from behind) and damaged my SI (sacroilliac joint)-rcvd. PT and pain went away in few months. Since then, no problems until several months ago, started having severe back pain & to make a long story short, had a mri which shows hernitated disc and lumbar disc degeneration. Went thru all the treatments possible and now having surgery 30th of this month. I will be having open fusion w/rods & screws.

Recently, while at work, I had a muscle spasm in my back & when I stood up, the pain went down my leg and I fell, hitting my head on a piece of equipment, bruising my leg and hand and exacerbating the pain in my back tenfold and causing severe neck pain.

My question is: do I qualify for workman's compensation even though I have pre-existing conditions for back and neck? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I live in Maryland if that will help.

Yes, you will, though the insurance company will say that the injuries were caused by your pre-existing condition. You can end up with benefits, though, if you push it, appealing as may be necessary. What will greatly help your case is if you file a claim immediately and if there are witnesses to your accident at work.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I do have witnesses and I have applied for workman's comp with no help from my employer who gave me wrong tn to call. When I went back to ask them for correct tn they said it was up to me to find out that info. Also, isn't it a requirement to have workman's comp info posted somewhere in my workplace? There isn't any in mine and we have over 200 employees there. I have been treated poorly and feel I am being harassed lately because my sister filed workman's comp from same company a year ago.

You may want to talk with Michigan Workers Compensation Agency. You can find their website at: http://www.michigan.gov/wca

Let me know if you have other questions.

I was injured at work back in Nov.2002. After 2 1/2 years it was decided in 3 hours that my claim was dismissed. I worked for a state agency for 13 years. The head of that agency is a powerful man with lots of influence in this state. The judge would not allow crucial peices of evidence to be entered. Before trial started he told my attorny it was a stress case and didn't want to hear it. Because of my injury I have two rods and four screws in my back. I was prior to accident being treated for right leg pain. But at work there was a severe pop and burn across the lower part of my back. There were two witnesses to this accident. The workplace was very hostile toward me. The day of accident I was denied two doctor calls. That was not allowed into evidence. I was allowed to retire from the state on disability plus have medicare benefits. The judge refused to allow that along with 3 other doctors stating that I was disabled. Also refused to allow our summons for my co-workers. He denied our summons but allowed the oppossing sides the same witnesses. My lawyer has stated that we will appeal. That is another 2000.00 that we do not have. Our medical bills have been covered under our insurance. I went from making 2269.00 to 645.00 a month. This trial was decided before it ever went to trial. One doctor stated in his deposition that I was looking for a lawsuit. And defamed my charactor as did the judge. We were told that we were uncredible witnesses. What should we do? I was ordered to pay for trial and lawyers. That was after the judge went to lunch with the opposing lawyer.

Unfortunately, it sounds like your only option is to appeal the matter. You should consult with your attorney. They are truly in the best position to help you.