Degenerative Disc Disease Claim Lawyer
Degenerative disc disease may be a natural part of aging. But workplace conditions or the job duties you complete daily also contribute to this medical condition. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover the cost of your treatment. However, you may need to take legal action if the employer denies the claim. Contact to degenerative disc disease claim lawyer at Joel Bieber firm and get free consultation.
The Joel Bieber Firm represents injured workers fighting for the benefits they’re entitled to. We help you provide evidence that your injury is serious enough to prevent you from working. In addition, we appeal denied or minimized workers’ comp claims.
Degenerative Disc Disease Claims — What You Need to Know
The vertebral column protects your spinal cord. And between each vertebra is a small cushioning disc. Over time, the discs can compress, degenerate, or burst. This, in turn, causes chronic pain and inflammation. Left untreated, degenerative discs can cause partial paralysis or difficulty walking.
Stiff or bulging degenerative discs present multiple medical concerns. Some of these conditions include the following:
- Herniation
- Arachnoiditis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
Proper medical treatment reduces the chances of a debilitating, degenerative disc illness. However, if your condition is workplace-related, getting workers’ comp insurance to cover it may be more difficult.
Symptoms of a Degenerative Disc Disease
Many people may have a degenerative disc disease for years without realizing it. For example, you may attribute back pain to a long day of work or believe it’s caused by overexertion. However, the pain you feel is just one sign you have disc degeneration.
Other symptoms of a degenerative disc disease include:
- Tingling or numbness that doesn’t go away
- Trouble standing or walking
- Pain when sitting for a long time
- Weakness or inability to do activities you once did
Additionally, the pain of a degenerative disc disease can cause depressive symptoms. Also, other side effects include insomnia or irritability, usually because of the pain.
Who Qualifies for a Degenerative Disc Disease Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is most commonly associated with older people. Therefore, people older than 50 face more difficulty getting approval on this worker’s comp claim. However, this doesn’t mean that you may not file a claim. In these cases, you must provide solid evidence that the DDD is workplace-related.
Properly documenting a degenerative disc disease claim starts with an accurate diagnosis. So providing a second medical opinion to confirm the diagnosis from your primary care physician strengthens your case.
Next, file a workers’ comp claim promptly with your employer. The reason to do so is to start the paperwork trail needed to prove your claim.
After you file the claim, make sure to follow all the instructions your doctor gives you to heal. This includes:
- Attend all follow-up appointments
- Follow all instructions for recovery, including activity restrictions
- Wear any recommended support devices
- Take all medications as directed
Finally, keep a log of your pain and a journal of your DDD’s effect on your daily activity. Note any times that you cannot perform your job duties because of limited mobility or pain. This is to provide your lawyer with evidence of the DDD’s effect on your ability to earn a living.
What Are My Legal Options if My Employer Denies My DDD Claim?
You may file a lawsuit if your workplace conditions led to the DDD development, and if your employer denies workers’ comp coverage, you can file a suit for negligence against the employer. Your lawyer alleges that your DDD developed because of unsafe working conditions or lack of safety and protective support gear.
In other situations, you may be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability instead of a workers’ comp. Disability benefits provide income for you if your DDD renders you unable to work.
Can I File for Social Security Disability if I Can’t Get Workers’ Compensation Coverage for My Claim?
Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits may also be an option for people who cannot get workers’ comp. However, you must prove that you are unable to work because of your DDD. Medical records support your claim. Another support for your claim is your employer’s modification of your job duties to accommodate your DDD.
Your SSD claim starts with the initial application. The Social Security Administration usually requires plenty of proof, including the following:
- Diagnosis from a doctor
- An account of your symptoms
- Proof that the injury prevents you from working
- A narrative of your daily limitations, such as being unable to stand or walk
- Your limited range of motion
- Any fatigue or chronic pain
For an SSD claim, you don’t need to prove that your injury was from work. It doesn’t matter if the DDD is because of arthritis, a medical condition, or an overuse injury from work; all that matters is proving its impact on your daily life.
How a Degenerative Disc Disease Claim Lawyer Can Help You
The SSD application is long and confusing for many people, and any mistake on the application or omitted information delays the approval of your benefits. Or sometimes, mistakes or missing information become grounds for the Social Security Administration to reject your application.
Your personal injury lawyer helps your SSD case in several ways, including:
- Completing and reviewing your application
- Collecting the right evidence to back up your claims
- Appealing the SSD’s denial of your claim
It’s true that you don’t need a lawyer to apply for Social Security. However, legal advice and an explanation of the application’s requirements make the process go smoothly. If your claim is denied, the legal knowledge of an attorney familiar with SSA requirements offers you a better chance of winning the appeal.
Do You Need Representation for Your Degenerative Disc Disease Claim?
We can help! The attorneys at The Joel Bieber Firm focus on Social Security Disability claims and workplace injury claims. We represent injured workers just like you. We also fight for your rights and help you get the benefits you deserve. Don’t wait — contact us today for a free consultation about your degenerative disc disease claim!
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