An accident can happen to any person, at any time. Whether it is a car accident, a slip and fall or an accident while playing a sport, serious injuries, such as a spinal cord injury, could lead to serious long-term or even life-long disabilities. When the spinal cord is damaged, bone or dislocated vertebra could put pressure on or damage the nerves that run along the spinal cord. The spinal cord acts as a “highway” in the body, with information running from the brain to control body movements.
When the spinal cord becomes damaged, it could lead to a series of symptoms, ranging from loss of sensation in various parts of the body, stinging or numbness, spasms or uncontrollable reflexes or even partial or total paralysis. Oftentimes this is determined by where on the spinal cord the injury occurred. Upper level injuries are more likely to affect the upper body, and lower body injuries are more likely to affect areas like the legs, feet or pelvic area.
If you have been the victim of an accident and suffered a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits for injuries. You will need to prove that the injury is preventing you from maintaining gainful employment and that the injury is expected to last at least a year, or end in death. Although a serious spinal cord injury may seem to be easy to prove, failing to properly fill out the necessary paperwork or not adhering to the application procedures could mean that your claim is denied.
While you are already suffering from an injury, it may be especially difficult to obtain all the documents necessary to file a claim. It is not uncommon for accident victims to reach out to a local firm familiar with Social Security Disability for assistance. Although the payments are not designed to fully cover medical expenses, it can prove to be helpful in relieving some of the financial strain from not working or earning an income.
Source: Live Science, “Spinal Cord Injury: Levels, Symptoms & Treatment,” Accessed on Aug. 28, 2017