Knowledge of the type of injury that can entitle a person into permanent and total disability benefits is critical in the eyes of employees who are attempting to get the necessary backup after experiencing an accident that has changed their lives. These benefits are provided to assist those people who can no longer be employed to their former job or even any job because of extreme medical circumstances. Although each case is considered separately, some categories of injuries have a greater probability of finding long-term or permanent disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries
One of the most devastating injuries that a worker may have is spinal cord damage which alters his or her life. It may result in partial or total paralysis, chronic pain, nerve damage, and major restrictions of mobility. Most spinal injuries in women and men are left with no physical work or even no job that requires movement despite surgery or long-term treatment.
Conditions include:
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Permanent nerve impairment
- Weakness of muscles or loss of control
Such injuries can be considered as permanent total disability since they severely impact on the day-to-day operations.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
The brain may be injured as a result of falls, vehicle crashes, accidents with heavy machinery or as a result of being hit by objects. This can cause cognitive, emotional and physical disabilities.
Common symptoms include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Speech or motor impairment
- Behavioral changes
- Chronic headaches
Moving from moderate to severe TBIs can often deny workers the chance of returning to their former profession- or any form of work that involves decision-making, concentration, and steady work.
Legs and Arms Amputated
The amputation of an arm, leg, hand or foot virtually always leaves behind long-lasting life-long impairments. Amputations are often automatically considered as permanent disability benefits even in many states in which the physical strength, balance, or manual dexterity of the job done by the worker were required.
On the one hand, prosthetics can cause mobility difficulties, long-term pain, or inability to cope with the performance of some critical functions.
Mutilation of Body and Mutilation of Genitals
There might be nerve injury, movement and sensation loss, and scarring due to severe burns. Burn victims also have long term constraints in terms of pain, limited movement and possibility of infection. Severe disfigurement particularly affecting the extremities or the face may also affect one’s capacity to go back to some kind of work.
Chronic Pain Disorders
Other injuries that can be experienced at the workplace develop into chronic pain conditions including:
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Chronic back pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Post-traumatic severe arthritis
In case pain makes the movement or concentration reliable, it may be classified as a disabling condition.
Vision or Hearing Loss
The loss of eye sight or hearing (either partially or completely) can render it impossible to undertake much job related activity. Such injuries are often caused by occupational accidents with chemicals, explosions or machines.
Occupational Diseases
Permanent disability may also result due to long-term exposure to harmful substances or due to repetitive activity. These include:
- Mesothelioma or lung disease.
- Chemical reactions or severe asthma
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Neurological disorders caused by toxins
Final Thoughts
Some of the injuries are so serious that one cannot go back to work. To employees who have to encounter these problems, knowledge of common qualifying injuries will allow them to plan the claims process and claim the compensation they rightfully deserve. Effective medical records and legal advice could be the key to receiving long-term disability benefits successfully.
