Rebuilding Your Life After A Stroke: How To Protect Your Rights To Florida Long-Term Disability Benefits
Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability (LTD). According to the Stroke Awareness Foundation, more than seven million people in the U.S. are survivors, and nearly 800,000 new cases happen each year. Our Orlando long-term disability lawyer explains how a stroke can impact your life and your rights to LTD benefits in Florida.
The Two Types Of Strokes And How They Can Impact Your Life
The brain controls physical movement, breathing, memories, communications, judgment, and other vital processes. A stroke is sometimes referred to as a brain attack, and it is just as serious as it sounds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that a stroke can occur anytime something blocks blood supply or causes a lack of oxygen to the brain, causing part of it to die. There are two different types of stroke:
- An ischemic stroke occurs when blood vessels to the brain are blocked due to blood clots or plaque.
- A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels near the brain ruptures or leaks, putting pressure on brain cells.
A stroke is a life-threatening situation. If you are fortunate enough to survive, you could be left with long-term disabilities. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can also occur. This is what is commonly referred to as a ‘mini-stroke’ and indicates underlying problems that are likely to lead to a more severe, potentially fatal stroke in the future.
Long-Term Disability Benefits For Stroke Survivors
A stroke is a life-threatening condition, and the CDC advises seeking medical care immediately if you suffer symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, numbness in different body parts, and dropping on one side of the face. Unfortunately, even if you get the appropriate treatment, lasting impairments caused by a stroke could impact your ability to work.
You may be entitled to long-term disability benefits, either through employer-provided insurance policies, privately purchased coverage, or by filing a claim with the Social Security Administration. To protect your rights to these payments, follow these tips:
- Get a statement from your doctor diagnosing your condition, explaining your symptoms, and how they result in long-term disabilities;
- Get copies of all medical records;
- Keep a journal, documenting how your symptoms impact you both at home and on the job.
In order to qualify for long-term disability, you will generally need to prove that a stroke impacts your ability to read, write, understand complex instructions, perform physical labor, or other skills required on the job. You must also prove that your condition is expected to prevent you from working for a year or more.
Contact Our Florida Long-Term Disability Lawyer Today
A stroke can have devastating impacts, preventing you from working and providing for yourself and your family. Farrell Disability Law helps you get the disability benefits you are entitled to. Call or contact us online and request a consultation with our Florida long-term disability lawyer today in our Orlando or Jacksonville office today.
Sources:
cdc.gov/stroke/about/index.html
ssa.gov/benefits/disability/qualify.html
