Brain Injuries Caused By Concussions: Your Rights To Long-Term Disability Benefits In Florida

Concussions can happen due to car crashes, slips and falls, or other types of accidents. Even seemingly minor blows or sudden jolts to the head can have serious impacts on the brain, resulting in long-term disabilities. Our Jacksonville long-term disability lawyer explains more about these injuries and your rights in seeking long-term disability benefits.

Raising Awareness of Concussion Injuries

Each year during the month of September, National Concussion Awareness Day calls attention to a common type of accidental injury and a leading cause of long-term disabilities. One of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), a concussion can happen any time there is a bump, blow, or violent shaking of the head, resulting in damage to underlying brain tissues and disruptions to neural pathways.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one million people suffer traumatic brain injuries due to concussions and other causes each year. Of these, close to 100,000 end up experiencing long-term disabilities as a result. Common impacts that can occur due to even a relatively minor concussion include:

• Physical impairments, impacting the victim’s balance, coordination, and movements while resulting in chronic headaches, sleep disorders, and other serious issues;
• Cognitive impairments, impacting memory, reasoning, comprehension, and communication skills;
• Emotional impairments, resulting in severe anxiety and depression, as well as difficulty controlling emotions, increased anger, and flying into fits of rage. 

Long-term Disability Benefits For Concussion Injuries

If you suffer a concussion and ongoing impairments prevent you from working for a year or longer, you may be entitled to long-term disability benefits. These may be available either through your employer, a privately purchased policy, or through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Long-term disability benefits can make up for as much as two-thirds of your lost income, allowing you to continue providing for yourself and your loved ones. To protect your rights to these benefits, follow these steps:

• Get medical attention immediately any time you suffer head injuries that could result in a concussion;
• Report all of your symptoms to your doctor and follow their instructions regarding testing and treatment;
• Adhere to their recommendations regarding work and activity restrictions;
• Keep copies of all medical records and lost wages;
• Keep a journal, documenting the impacts your injuries have on you, your family, and your activities;
• Review disability policies you have in place and your rights to benefits through the SSA.

Request A Consultation With Our Florida Long-Term Disability Lawyer

Concussions are a common type of traumatic brain injury and can have major impacts on your health. Long-term disabilities you suffer as a result may prevent you from working, creating financial hardships for you and your loved ones. At Farrell Disability Law, we help you get the benefits you are entitled to. For caring support and trusted legal guidance in filing a claim, call or contact us online and request a consultation with our Florida disability lawyer in our Orlando or Jacksonville office today.

Sources:

nationalconcussionawarenessday.com/index.html#:~:text=National%20Concussion%20Awareness%20Day%20%C2%AE%20Friday%2C%20September%2015th%2C%202023,-National%20Concussion%20Awareness

cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pubs/tbi_report_to_congress.html

ssa.gov/benefits/disability/