Mark Casto | May 3, 2024 | Personal Injury
According to census data from 2021, approximately 42.5 million Americans live with a disability. These disabilities include cognitive, vision, hearing, walking, and independent living challenges.
If you were injured in an accident and suffered a permanent injury, you may be experiencing a disability. Looking at the most common disabilities in more detail can help you better understand your injuries after an accident.
1. Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage in the body and may impact the function of one’s extremities, neck, and spine. These disorders can affect one’s ability to walk, stand, sit, climb, and perform other movements.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders include:
- Spine disorders
- Scoliosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Degenerative disc disease
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Almost one-third of those receiving Social Security Disability Income benefits (SSDI) have a musculoskeletal disorder.
2. Mood and Psychiatric Disorders
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over 2 million people receive SSDI because of a mood or other psychiatric disorder.
These disorders include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Mood disorders can negatively affect someone’s ability to work and care for themselves.
3. Nervous System Disorders
The nervous system manages and coordinates bodily activities. It is a complex system made up of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and nerves throughout the body.
Nervous system disorders include:
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Spinal cord injuries
- Infections like polio, meningitis, or encephalitis
- Epilepsy
- Migraines
- Neuralgia
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
As of December 2020, about 12% of people receiving SSDI were disabled due to a nervous system disorder.
4. Intellectual disorders
Intellectual disabilities limit one’s intelligence to the point that they have difficulty living independently. Intellectual disabilities are apparent in childhood.
The following are examples of intellectual disorders:
- Down Syndrome
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Developmental delays
People with a severe intellectual disorder may have limited cognitive abilities that affect their ability to reason, problem solve, or adaptive behavior.
As of December 2020, 8.8% of individuals receiving SSDI had an intellectual disorder.
5. Circulatory System Diseases
Circulatory system diseases affect your heart and blood vessels and, therefore, affect your body’s ability to move blood and oxygen throughout your body. Circulatory issues may be caused by structural issues with the heart, arteries, or blood vessels.
The following are examples of circulatory conditions:
- Aneurysms
- Arrhythmias
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart failure
- Stroke
Circulatory system disorders often develop gradually. They may cause symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and chest pain.
6. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
Someone with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder may have the following symptoms:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Disorganized thinking
- Odd beliefs
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation
These disorders can be very difficult to treat and can seriously limit a person’s ability to function normally.
7. Other Mental Disorders
This classification of disability includes mental disorders that cause serious impairments but do not fit within one of the other categories of mental disorders.
8. Injuries
An injury may render someone unable to work in the same job as before their injury. Some people may not be able to work at all after an injury. According to the Social Security Administration, 3.4% of people receiving SSDI are disabled due to an injury.
9. Neurocognitive Disorders
A neurocognitive disorder is a mental disorder that is not caused by a psychiatric illness. These disorders are caused by a medical disease, such as a brain injury, cardiovascular disorder, or degenerative disorder.
10. Neoplasms
A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of tissue, also called a tumor. Cancer is a malignant neoplasm. Almost 3% of those receiving SSDI are disabled due to a neoplasm.
A Columbus Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Seek Compensation for Your Disability
If you suffer from one of the above disabilities or another disabling condition, you may be able to receive SSDI benefits. Contact an experienced Columbus personal injury lawyer to discuss your potential compensation.
Contact a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today For More Help
While it may seem unnecessary to hire a lawyer for a “minor” car accident, several considerations make it worth exploring. With the complexities of the legal and insurance systems, lawyers help determine liability, evaluate damages, and navigate the claims process’s ins and outs.
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, Georgia, and need legal help, contact our Columbus Personal Injury accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
We serve in Muscogee County and its surrounding areas:
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808, Columbus, GA 31901
Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm
(706) 940-4030