What is it called when symptoms from an injury appear after a significant delay?

The term for when symptoms from an injury manifest after a significant delay is referred to as a delayed onset injury. This type of injury is characterized by the fact that an individual may not immediately realize the extent of their injury at the time of the incident. It is common in situations where the injury is not immediately painful or does not present noticeable symptoms until hours, days, or even weeks after the initial event.

This delay can sometimes lead to confusion about the relationship between the incident and the onset of symptoms, particularly in a workers' compensation context. Understanding this concept is important for adjusters, as it can affect claims processing and the assessment of whether the injury is compensable.

In contrast, acute injuries are typically characterized by immediate symptoms that arise right after a traumatic event. Chronic injuries are injuries that develop gradually over time, usually as a result of repetitive strain or long-term wear and tear, rather than from a single incident. Pre-existing injuries are those that existed before the incident in question, which can complicate the evaluation of claims related to new symptoms.