MLIVE’S ASK THE ATTORNEY COLUMN

Q. I had prior back problems when I hired in to my job. When I fell from a roof at work, that made it worse to the point I can’t work. My employer says I can’t get workers’ comp for this pre-existing condition. Is this right? (August 2017)

A. Under current Michigan law, ordinarily if work causes, contributes to or aggravates pathology in a manner so as to create a pathology that is ‘medically distinguishable’ from any pathology that existed prior to the injury, then you have workers’ compensation coverage. Can your doctors point to specific findings on examination or on tests not present before your work injury? If so, you should be covered. Feel free to contact my office for a free consultation regarding your own individual situation.

–Attorney Robert MacDonald