New Back Pain Caused by Old Work Injury

In 2009, a nurse suffered what was diagnosed as a soft tissue injury to the low back while trying to move a patient. After conservative treatment, she returned to work for a short while. But the injury never properly healed and kept her from working. Ten years and several neurology reports later, she filed for permanent medical impairment (PMI) and pain-related impairment (PRI) benefits. The Nova Scotia WCB said no, finding that her current leg and back pain weren’t related to her original work injury. But the Appeals Board disagreed, finding that the nurse was still suffering the effects of the 1999 injury and suggesting she qualified not only for PMI and PRI but also earnings-replacement benefits [2017-599-AD (Re), 2019 CanLII 52299 (NS WCAT), June 10, 2019].