6.7.3 Injury and 'sequelae' to be administered under the same file reference

'Sequelae' are medical conditions which, althou — gh a medical condition clearly distinguishable from the original injury, have nevertheless arisen as a progression of, or as a consequence of, the original injury. For instance, onset of osteoarthritis in a knee joint arising from an earlier traumatic inj — u — ry to that knee or onset of a mental illness in response to pain and disability of that knee, are both medical sequelae.

A claim for a sequelae condition usually requires a separate claim by the employee which need not be on a claim form, but must be req — uested in writing.  A sequelae claim will always require a separate Determination of liability.

However, whatever the result, a new file should not be opened to accommodate Determinations for sequelae. Sequelae should be dealt with on the file relating t — o the original condition.  See the Defcare user manual for instructions on the systems administration of sequelae claims.