Mitchell & Powell, A Professional Law Corporation Mitchell & Powell, A Professional Law Corporation2026-10-20T16:35:26Zhttps://www.mitchellandpowell.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1604955/2025/04/cropped-favicon-mitchell512-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Mitchell & Powell, A Professional Law Corporation<![CDATA[Can a late Valley fever diagnosis hurt your workers’ comp claim?]]>https://www.mitchellandpowell.com/?p=2524072026-10-20T16:34:04Z2026-10-20T10:24:47ZWhy can Valley fever go undiagnosed?
Valley fever shares symptoms with several conditions, including:
Influenza (flu)
COVID-19
Bacterial pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Lung cancer
Doctors may take weeks or months to diagnose Valley fever. Blood tests for IgM and IgG antibodies, which your body makes in response to infection, can help diagnose Valley fever. However, these tests cannot show where you inhaled spores and may miss early infections.
When do California workers' compensation deadlines begin?
Under California law, the injury date requires both disability and knowledge, or reason to know, that your job caused it. Disability means a condition that limits your ability to earn wages, not just feeling sick. This date may differ from your first symptoms or diagnosis.
You generally have one year to start formal workers' compensation proceedings. This deadline depends on your injury date and other factors, including benefits already paid. California also generally requires you to notify your employer in writing within 30 days of that date.
However, a late report does not always bar you from benefits. For example, your claim may still proceed if your employer already knew about your illness or the delay caused no harm to their ability to respond. Reporting suspected work-related illness early can help avoid disputes.
How can you document workplace exposure after a late diagnosis?
Even if doctors initially suspected another illness, you can gather records that help reconstruct your exposure history:
Medical records showing when symptoms began and what doctors initially suspected
Work schedules identifying outdoor assignments and potential exposure dates
Photographs, job reports or witness accounts describing dusty conditions
Test results and medical opinions discussing possible sources of infection
A doctor experienced in Valley fever can review your work history, test results and other possible sources of infection. Their opinion may help establish whether you caught the illness at work and challenge an insurer's objections.
Get help with a delayed Valley fever claim
A late diagnosis does not automatically eliminate your right to benefits. If your claim is delayed, disputed or denied, contact [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"]. Our workers' compensation attorneys can review your situation, explain your options and fight for the benefits you deserve under California law.]]>