If you've been disabled because of an accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help. Our personal injury attorneys know that accidents can lead to serious disabilities, affecting your ability to work and live independently.
Common Disabilities From Personal Injuries
A serious accident can change your life in an instant. It may leave you facing long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges. When an injury leads to a disability, it affects your health, ability to work, and overall quality of life. Knowing the common disabilities caused by accidents can help victims understand their rights and explore legal options for the compensation they deserve.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to severe damage. They can cause thinking problems, memory loss, personality changes, and physical limits. Some people recover with treatment, but others face lifelong cognitive or mobility challenges that require ongoing care. These injuries often happen in car crashes, falls, and workplace accidents.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis. These severe injuries often require lifelong care and special equipment, leading to high medical costs and lost income. Many victims must adjust to a new way of life, including learning to use mobility aids or modifying their homes to accommodate their needs.
3. Back and Neck Injuries
Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and whiplash often happen in accidents. These issues can lead to long-term pain and limit movement. Victims may struggle to return to their jobs, especially if they involve physical work. Chronic pain can disrupt sleep, daily tasks, and overall well-being. This makes proper medical care very important.
4. Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries
Broken bones can lead to temporary disability while they heal. Some complex fractures, especially in joints, may cause permanent issues like arthritis and ongoing pain. These problems can qualify as long-term disabilities. Sometimes, victims need multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, or physical therapy to regain strength and mobility.
5. Amputation and Loss of Limbs
Losing arms, legs, hands, or feet in serious accidents creates immediate disability. Victims often need artificial limbs, home changes, and new job training. The physical challenges are significant, but the emotional impact can also be overwhelming, requiring counseling and support to adjust to a new way of life.
6. Burn Injuries
Severe burns can limit movement, cause chronic pain, and change appearance. Beyond physical limits, the mental impact and social challenges of severe burns can add to disability status. Many burn victims require skin grafts, rehabilitation, and extensive medical treatment to regain function and improve their quality of life.
7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Not all disabilities are physical. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after a traumatic accident can cause severe mental symptoms that prevent people from working or doing normal daily activities. This condition often affects victims of serious crashes and workplace accidents.
8. Chronic Pain Syndrome
After an injury, some victims develop pain that lasts much longer than expected. This condition can severely limit activity and may qualify for long-term disability benefits when it prevents normal functioning. The ongoing discomfort can make even simple tasks difficult, leading to emotional distress and reduced quality of life.
9. Vision and Hearing Loss
Eye injuries and ear trauma in accidents can result in partial or complete loss of vision or hearing. These problems greatly impact a person's ability to work in many jobs. In addition to employment challenges, vision and hearing loss can affect independence and require assistive devices or specialized training to adapt to daily life.
10. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
This severe pain condition usually affects a limb after injury. CRPS can cause extreme pain much worse than the original injury, along with swelling, skin changes, and loss of movement, which can qualify for short-term disability during treatment or long-term benefits if it becomes permanent.
Understanding Your Rights After a Disabling Injury
If an accident causes a disability, you might get compensation. This can cover medical bills, lost income, and long-term care. Personal injury claims help with these costs, supporting you to move forward. Some victims may also qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, but applying can be tricky.
Facing a disabling injury after an accident can feel overwhelming. Medical bills pile up, and lost income adds financial strain. Adjusting to a new reality can also be tough emotionally. Whether your disability is temporary or permanent, getting fair compensation is key to your future well-being. If you need help after suffering a disabling injury, contact a Charlotte disability attorney for help today.