How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Your Injury Claim in Arizona

November 6, 2025

Understanding how Arizona law protects accident victims with pre-existing medical conditions

— and how to prove your injury claim is still valid.

What you need to know if you had a previous injury before your accident.

If you’ve been injured in an accident but already had a medical condition before it happened, you might be wondering — “Will my pre-existing condition hurt my personal injury claim?”

The truth is, having a pre-existing condition doesn’t mean you lose your right to compensation. However, it can make your case more complex. Understanding how Arizona law handles these situations can help protect your rights and strengthen your claim.

What Counts as a

Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is any medical issue or injury that existed before your accident. Common examples include:

  • Chronic back or neck pain
  • Old sports injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Prior fractures or surgeries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from past incidents

Even if these issues were under control before your accident, they can become aggravated or worsened by a new event — and that’s where your legal rights come in.

What Counts as a

Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is any medical issue or injury that existed before your accident. Common examples include:

  • Chronic back or neck pain
  • Old sports injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Prior fractures or surgeries
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from past incidents

Even if these issues were under control before your accident, they can become aggravated or worsened by a new event — and that’s where your legal rights come in.

Arizona Law:

The “Eggshell Plaintiff” Rule

Arizona follows what’s known as the “Eggshell Plaintiff Rule.”

This means that a defendant must take the victim as they find them.
If someone’s negligence worsens your pre-existing condition, they can still be held responsible for the aggravation of that injury — even if you were more vulnerable than the average person.

In other words: If your back pain was mild before a car crash but became severe after, you can seek compensation for that worsening — not for your old injury, but for how it was made worse.

How Pre-Existing Conditions Complicate Claims

Insurance companies often use pre-existing conditions as a tactic to undermine your case. Their goal is to argue that your pain or limitations existed long before the accident.

Here’s how they might try to minimize your claim:

  • Saying your symptoms are unrelated to the accident
  • Arguing that your injuries are due to natural aging or degeneration
  • Using your medical history against you

That’s why documentation and medical testimony are key. Detailed records from before and after the accident can clearly show what changed — and how the accident made things worse.

How Pre-Existing Conditions Complicate Claims

Insurance companies often use pre-existing conditions as a tactic to undermine your case. Their goal is to argue that your pain or limitations existed long before the accident.

Here’s how they might try to minimize your claim:

  • Saying your symptoms are unrelated to the accident
  • Arguing that your injuries are due to natural aging or degeneration
  • Using your medical history against you

That’s why documentation and medical testimony are key. Detailed records from before and after the accident can clearly show what changed — and how the accident made things worse.

How to Protect Your Claim

Here’s what you can do to ensure your pre-existing condition doesn’t weaken your case:

1. Be Honest About Your

Medical History

Never hide or downplay a previous condition. If you’re truthful from the start, your credibility remains strong. Insurance companies can access your medical records, so honesty works in your favor.


2. Get a Thorough Medical Evaluation

Visit a doctor immediately after the accident — preferably one experienced with personal injury cases. They can compare your current condition to your past health and document the aggravation clearly.


3. Keep All Medical Records

Keep copies of old and new test results, scans, and treatment notes. They will help your attorney show how the accident impacted your existing condition.



4. Work with an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

A lawyer who understands Arizona injury law can help prove that your pre-existing condition was aggravated — and that you deserve fair compensation for it.

How to Protect Your Claim

Here’s what you can do to ensure your pre-existing condition doesn’t weaken your case:

1. Be Honest About Your Medical History

Never hide or downplay a previous condition. If you’re truthful from the start, your credibility remains strong. Insurance companies can access your medical records, so honesty works in your favor.

2. Get a Thorough Medical Evaluation

Visit a doctor immediately after the accident — preferably one experienced with personal injury cases. They can compare your current condition to your past health and document the aggravation clearly.

3. Keep All Medical Records

Keep copies of old and new test results, scans, and treatment notes. They will help your attorney show how the accident impacted your existing condition.

4. Work with an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

A lawyer who understands Arizona injury law can help prove that your pre-existing condition was aggravated — and that you deserve fair compensation for it.

Example Scenario

Imagine you had mild back pain from a previous sports injury. After being rear-ended at an intersection in Phoenix, your pain worsens, making it difficult to work or even sit comfortably.



An insurance company may claim this pain was “already there.” However, with strong medical documentation and the right legal representation, you can prove the crash worsened your condition — and that you’re entitled to compensation.

Bottom Line

Your pre-existing condition does not disqualify you from seeking justice.
With proper documentation, honesty, and legal support, you can still recover damages for the aggravation caused by your accident.

If you’re unsure how to handle your case, don’t navigate it alone.

If you’ve been in an accident and have a pre-existing condition, Call Christina Now for free 24/7 support.
We’ll connect you to trusted lawyers, doctors, and medical specialists who understand how to handle these complex cases — and help you get the care and compensation you deserve.

Know someone with an old injury who was just in an accident? Share this blog to help them understand how pre-existing conditions affect personal injury claims — and how to protect their rights.