What Does Aggravation of an Injury Mean?
When the term “aggravation” of an injury is used in workers’ compensation claims, it means a pre-existing condition has been made worse by an injury.  “Exacerbation” of a pre-existing condition means it is only temporarily made worse by the new injury. “Recurrence” of a healed injury generally constitutes a separate workers’ compensation claim. Aggravation of an injury means the new injury has worsened the underlying condition. Aggravation of an injury requires much more medical attention—and potentially be disabling.