Not every disability claim involves someone born with a disability. Benefits for disabilities can also be provided to people who acquired a disability after an accident. Traffic, workplace, and other types of accidents can all cause lifelong disabilities if the injuries are severe enough. However, applying for disability benefits is not always straightforward. Feel free to ask a Pennsylvania disability lawyer for help.

Disabilities Caused by Accidents

Some of the most common disabilities caused by accidents involve bone fractures and injuries to the central nervous system. Broken bones may heal but in some cases can cause complications if:

• The bones healed incorrectly
• Joint pain develops into chronic arthritis

Arthritis is the most common bone-related disability that people receive disability benefits for. Joint pain caused by this condition can make it challenging to use those joints on a daily basis. Some people may no longer be able to work at their previous job as a result of the pain.

Bone fractures that involve damage to the skull or spine can lead to central nervous system injuries. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Any kind of injury to the brain and spinal cord can come with long-term damage and lifelong impairments.

Spinal cord injuries can induce permanent paralysis below the injury site. Brain injuries may also cause paralysis, depending on the severity, or other complications like:

• Memory and attention problems
• Communication deficits
• Vision and hearing issues
• Motor skill impairments

Memory problems alone can make it almost impossible for someone to maintain a job that requires following instructions. Motor skill problems involving the hands can make many hands-on jobs challenging. Those who were in advanced job positions may have to step down when their brain injury impacts their thinking skills.

Can I Receive Disability Benefits After an Accident?

Whether you can receive disability benefits after an accident depends on whether you meet the disability benefits criteria. When it comes to disability benefits eligibility, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be looking for:

• Whether your disability will last 12 months or lead to an early death
• How much your disability affects your substantial gainful activity
• If you are able to find a different job

You may not receive disability benefits if you are able to work at a different job and still earn enough income. The SSA has various ways of measuring this and will go by evidence and evaluations. In some cases, they may request a medical evaluation of you by a chosen medical professional who reports to them.

This is why collecting evidence of how your injury impacts your ability to work is important. Consider contacting a Pennsylvania disability lawyer to learn more.

Disability Lawyer in Pennsylvania

Applying for disability benefits can be a tedious and sometimes confusing process. Do not hesitate to ask a Pennsylvania individual disability insurance attorney to see what options you may have with your disability claim. All you have to do is call Edelstein Martin & Nelson at (800) – 300 – 0909 for a consultation about your claim. Our legal team of Pennsylvania disability lawyers might be able to help you obtain the benefits you need.