Consequential Injuries: When One Work Injury Leads to Another
Injuries rarely stay in one place. A federal employee who hurts a knee may start favoring the other leg, and months later that knee, hip or lower back starts to hurt too.
Under federal workers' compensation, a new condition that results from your accepted work injury is called a consequential injury, and it can be covered as part of your claim.
Common examples
- Pain in the opposite knee or hip from limping on an injured leg
- Low back problems from an altered walk after an ankle or foot injury
- Shoulder or wrist strain from relying on crutches or a cane
- A fall caused by weakness or instability from the original injury
- Complications from treatment of the accepted condition
What OWCP needs to see
A consequential condition isn't added automatically. Your physician needs to diagnose the new condition and explain, in medical terms, how it developed as a result of the accepted injury or its treatment.
Your claims examiner can then expand the accepted conditions on your claim. Without that medical explanation, the new condition may be treated as unrelated.
Don't wait to mention new symptoms
Tell your treating physician about new pain as soon as it starts, even if it seems minor. Documenting it early creates a clear timeline that connects it to the original injury.
How Injury Federal Clinic helps
Our multidisciplinary team evaluates new symptoms, documents how they relate to your accepted injury, and provides the reports your claims examiner needs to consider expanding your claim.
Talk to our team
Injury Federal Clinic is a Medical Provider for the U.S. Department of Labor in Jacksonville, open weekdays and Saturday mornings.
This article is general information, not legal advice. OWCP and your claims examiner make all coverage decisions, and deadlines can depend on your case; check your decision letters and the U.S. Department of Labor website.
