There are many misconceptions surrounding disability in the United States, one of which is that most disabilities look the same, and are easily identifiable. For instance, someone who has suffered a spinal cord injury and is now in a wheelchair is likely living with a disability, while someone with a mental condition like schizophrenia may also qualify as disabled.
But people often assume that relatively minor issues will not qualify, and this is a problematic assumption to make. In actuality, even injuries like broken bones could lead to disabling conditions.
We have previously discussed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and how that reality can stem from trauma to the body, such as a broken leg or a broken arm. It can cause the constant pain and discomfort, even though something like a broken leg typically would heal relatively quickly.
Injuries that do not heal
First and foremost, in the Social Security Administration’s guide to musculoskeletal injuries, it notes that some injuries are non-healing. These injuries can qualify as disabilities simply because the condition may not rectify itself or may last much longer than expected. Do not assume that all broken bones are the same or that all people heal at the same rate.
Preventing gainful employment
Another thing to keep in mind is that a disability is a condition that may keep you from working, and a neck or back injury certainly could be severe enough to result in an employment-related challenge. Many of these injuries can cause such terrific pain that mobility is incredibly limited. Once again, don’t make the assumption that you would need to be in a wheelchair or fully unable to move in order to qualify for disability benefits. If your injury is severe enough that you’re not going to be able to work again, and it’s not going to heal for at least a year, you may still qualify for assistance.
If you are facing these types of challenges and you’re looking for solutions, it’s important to know exactly what legal steps to take so that you can benefit from programs designed for people facing issues like yours.