Suffering From Back Pain and Wondering About Long-Term Disability Benefits?
Chronic back pain is something that many people suffer with. Depending on the severity, the impacts you experience as a result can keep you from working or performing certain tasks on your job, making you eligible for long-term disability benefits. The following highlights the types of back injuries that are generally covered and steps you can take to protect your rights in a claim.
Back Injuries and Long-Term Disability Benefits
The Mayo Clinic warns that back injuries are one of the most frequently cited reasons among patients for seeking medical treatment. They are also one of the most common causes of both short and long-term disability in the United States. Back injuries and pain can occur suddenly, as the result of an accident or illness, or it can develop slowly and worsen over a period of year. Among the most common causes include:
- Strained muscles and ligaments, due to overuse and standing or sitting in awkward positions for long periods;
- Herniated or bulging discs in the spine, which can result from overuse or sudden injuries;
- Arthritis, which can cause painful inflammation and steady deterioration in the space surrounding the spinal cord, leading to spinal stenosis;
- Skeletal issues, such as scoliosis, which can slowly develop and steadily worsen the older you get.
These and other types of back issues can have major impacts on your health, your mobility, and your ability to perform even simple basic tasks on your job. When the impacts of back pain and injuries are severe and expected to last for a year or longer, you may be entitled to benefits through employer provided long-term disability insurance or through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Obtaining Disability Benefits for Back Injuries
Back injuries caused by sudden accidents and chronic health conditions can have major impacts on every area of your life. They can prevent you from performing relatively simple tasks around your home or engaging in your favorite activities with family and friends. They can also require numerous days off from your job and may prevent you from working at full steam.
Long before you reach the point where your back injuries interfere with work tasks, there are steps you need to take to protect your rights to long-term disability benefits. Review policies offered through your employer as well as the Social Security disability guidelines while taking the following actions:
- Visit your doctor regularly and keep thorough records;
- Undergo all recommended diagnostic testing or treatments;
- Make note of all specialists you see as well as all medications you may be taking;
- Keep records regarding lost wages and other impacts your back pain has had on your life.
Let Us Help You Today
Back pain is a terrible burden to have to live with. At Farrell Disability Law, we help people suffering back injuries or chronic conditions get the disability benefits they are entitled to. Call or contact our Jacksonville long-term disability attorney online to schedule a consultation in our Orlando or Jacksonville office today.
Resource:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906
https://www.mydisabilitylaw.com/what-are-the-chances-of-suffering-a-long-term-disability/