How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Your Brooklyn Personal Injury Settlement
On November 20, 2025 by 
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Pre-existing medical conditions can complicate personal injury claims in Brooklyn, but they do not prevent you from recovering fair compensation. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by arguing that your current pain or symptoms result from prior conditions rather than the accident.
Understanding how New York law protects you and working with an experienced Brooklyn personal injury lawyer at Macaluso & Fafinski, P.C. is essential for safeguarding your claim.
Understanding the Eggshell Plaintiff Rule in New York
New York follows the eggshell plaintiff rule, which requires defendants to take victims as they find them. If an accident causes greater harm due to a pre-existing condition, the at-fault party remains responsible for the full extent of that harm. This principle applies to physical conditions such as arthritis, prior fractures, or back injuries, as well as mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and age-related or genetic vulnerabilities.
A Brooklyn personal injury attorney can help document how the accident worsened your condition and calculate the resulting damages. It is important to note that you can only recover compensation for harm caused or aggravated by the accident, not for the pre-existing condition itself. Careful medical documentation and expert testimony are often necessary to establish this distinction effectively.
Common Pre-Existing Conditions That Affect Brooklyn Personal Injury Claims
Certain conditions often come under scrutiny by insurance companies:
- Chronic pain disorders: Fibromyalgia, arthritis, or back problems often fluctuate, making insurers argue current pain is unrelated
- Prior injuries: Previous injuries to the same body part can be claimed as pre-existing damage
- Mental health conditions: Anxiety, depression, or PTSD can worsen after an accident but are often attributed solely to pre-existing issues
- Degenerative conditions: Osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease may accelerate due to trauma, requiring earlier surgery or increased treatment
A Brooklyn personal injury lawyer will work with medical professionals to show how the accident changed the trajectory of these conditions.
How Insurance Companies Exploit Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance adjusters often try to reduce payouts by exploiting pre-existing conditions. Common tactics include:
- Offering a quick, low settlement before full injuries manifest
- Blaming your pre-existing condition for current symptoms
- Delaying negotiations to create financial pressure
A Brooklyn personal injury attorney can counter these tactics, ensuring your claim reflects the true impact of the accident.
Strategies to Protect Your Brooklyn Personal Injury Claim
Winning fair compensation requires proactive steps:
- Full disclosure: Inform your doctor and lawyer about pre-existing conditions
- Immediate medical attention: Establish an official record linking symptoms to the accident
- Selective medical records: Only provide relevant medical history to insurers
- Limit communication: Avoid recorded statements to the insurance company
- Social media caution: Adjust privacy settings and refrain from posting about your case
These strategies help prevent insurers from misusing your medical history to reduce your claim.
Key New York Laws for Brooklyn Personal Injury Claims
Two important laws directly affect personal injury cases:
Statute of Limitations
In New York, you generally have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can bar your claim entirely. A Brooklyn personal injury lawyer ensures timely filing to protect your rights.
Collateral Source Rule
In New York, compensation for your injuries cannot be reduced due to payments you receive from insurance or other benefits. This ensures you recover fully for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to the accident.
No-Fault Insurance Law (NY PIP)
New York requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP). This law ensures immediate coverage for medical expenses and lost wages after an auto accident, even if the other driver was at fault.
A Brooklyn personal injury lawyer ensures these rules are applied correctly to maximize your compensation.
Contact a Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyer at Macaluso & Fafinski, P.C.
Pre-existing conditions make claims more complex, but the right legal team can secure fair compensation. Our personal injury attorneys at Macaluso & Fafinski, P.C. have experience handling cases where medical history becomes a point of dispute. We gather persuasive evidence, work with medical experts, and counter insurance tactics to protect your claim.
If you have been injured in Brooklyn and have pre-existing medical conditions, do not let an insurance company minimize your case. Contact Macaluso & Fafinski, P.C. at 718.852.5000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Brooklyn personal injury attorney who will fight for your full recovery.