Symptoms Of Traumatic Brain Injuries In Florida That May Qualify You For Long-Term Disability
Brain injuries can happen as a result of illnesses or underlying chronic health conditions, such as strokes. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are those that happen as a result of accidents, in which bumps or blows to the head disrupt neural activity and brain processes. TBI can take years to fully recover from, and in some cases, impairments may be permanent. Our Jacksonville long-term disability lawyer explains how symptoms you suffer may entitle you to disability benefits.
Spring Is for Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness
Spring is for Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness. Sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAUSA), it calls attention to one of the most common types of personal injuries and the severe impacts it can have on victims and their families.
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI, can happen due to any accident that results in bumps, blows, sudden jolts, or violent shaking of the head. According to the National Institutes of Health, these can damage brain tissues and disrupt neural processes, leading to serious physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments.
Symptoms of TBI are often subtle at first but can prove life-threatening for victims. Be alert for the following:
- Loss of short or long-term memory;
- Lack of coordination and difficulty maintaining balance;
- Difficulty communicating with others or understanding what is said;
- Vision and hearing disturbances;
- Chronic headaches and fatigue;
- Sleep disorders;
- Increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
Long-Term Disability Benefits For People With TBI
Traumatic brain injuries can take years to fully recover from. In some cases, such as if you suffered TBI in the past as a result of a concussion or other head injury, it can cause permanent impairments.
When symptoms of TBI are expected to last for a year or longer and impact your ability to work, you may be entitled to long-term disability benefits in Florida. These benefits may be available through employer-provided policies that are included as part of your employee compensation package. You may also be entitled to disability payments through the Social Security Administration. To protect yourself and your rights in filing a disability claim, take these steps:
- Have your condition thoroughly diagnosed by your doctor;
- Make sure they include long-term disabilities you suffer;
- Follow doctor instructions regarding additional testing, treatment, and follow-up care;
- Keep copies of all your medical records;
- Get statements from your employer and keep records of lost wages;
- Review the terms of any employer-provided policies;
- Check to see if you meet Social Security disability qualifications;
- Keep a journal detailing how traumatic brain injuries impact your daily life.
Contact Our Florida Long-Term Disability Lawyer For Help In Filing A Claim
At Farrell Disability Law, we help people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries in Florida get the disability benefits they are entitled to. For caring support and trusted legal guidance in filing a claim or appealing denied benefits, call or contact us online. Request a consultation with our Florida long-term disability lawyer in our Orlando or Jacksonville office today.
Sources:
biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/brain-injury-awareness#:~:text=Every%20March%2C%20the%20Brain%20Injury,%2C%20new%20publications%2C%20and%20more.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459300/
ssa.gov/disability
