Thousand Oaks Permanent Disability Lawyer

A permanent disability can leave workers uncertain about the future. A serious injury can leave people socially isolated and financially burdened. Fortunately, anyone who is disabled may be eligible for compensation through Social Security or workers’ compensation. If you or a loved one were seriously injured and unable to return to work, you can rely on the legal services of a Thousand Oaks permanent disability lawyer to seek fair benefits for you or your loved one.

What Is Permanent Disability?

Any condition or injury that impedes a worker’s ability to perform tasks they used to perform can lead to permanent disability. The worker may be in too much pain to properly work, or they have vision or hearing loss. In other situations, the injury could inhibit their ability to walk freely or use their arms or legs like they used to. Common causes of personal disabilities include:

• Amputation: Amputation resulting from work can occur due to severe injuries involving machinery, tools, or heavy equipment. Common causes include getting limbs caught in moving parts, crush injuries from falling objects or collapsing structures, severe cuts from sharp tools or equipment, and accidents involving vehicles. These incidents can lead to irreparable damage, requiring the removal of the affected limb to save the worker’s life.
• Illness: Congenital diseases or conditions that develop later in life can leave an individual disabled. Degenerative diseases can progressively degrade someone’s ability to perform even simple tasks. Multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy are two other illnesses that can significantly impede someone’s ability to perform work-related duties.
• Workplace accidents: Workplace accidents happen all the time. Often, they are minor injuries that may not require medical attention or workers’ compensation. When a workplace injury leads to a head injury, broken bones, burns, or other serious injuries, the fallout from those injuries can reduce the worker’s ability to perform their normal tasks.
• Car accidents: Car accidents are a common cause of permanent disability. A serious vehicle collision can lead to back and neck injuries that partially or fully paralyze someone. Chronic pain and PTSD are also potential outcomes of a vehicle collision.
• Neurological disorders: Neurological disorders can impair motor skills, coordination, and balance. Joint and muscle conditions can cause lasting limitations, while respiratory disorders may lead to permanent lung damage. Heart conditions can result in cardiac issues and reduced physical tolerance. Various other illnesses and disorders can permanently affect the body, each presenting unique challenges.

How Can an Attorney Help Me Qualify for Disability Benefits?

If you or a family member has recently become disabled, you likely have questions about eligibility for benefits. Disability benefits may be available through programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both are federal programs that come from your Social Security payments, meaning they are not welfare.

If your disability is work-related, you may also qualify for benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation program. To determine eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits, your attorney will need to demonstrate that your injury is directly related to your work. Conditions exacerbated by repetitive movements or pre-existing injuries, such as back problems, may qualify.

If you qualify for Social Security benefits, disability attorneys in Thousand Oaks, California, can manage the SSD claims process on your behalf, allowing you to focus on recovery or adjusting to your new circumstances. Throughout the process, you’ll receive legal guidance and support. If you try to navigate the federal or state system alone, you may make unintentional errors that can affect your benefits or lead to a rejection letter.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Approved Disability?

A: Back-related injuries are a very common cause of permanent disability that can lead someone to be approved for SSI benefits. A back injury could result from a catastrophic injury that immediately leads to pain and mobility issues. Back injuries may require multiple corrective surgeries. Other back injuries may be degenerative, requiring years to reach the point where someone becomes disabled.

Q: What Is the Maximum Back Pay for SSDI?

A: SSDI can pay benefits retroactively for up to 12 months prior to your application date if you were disabled before you applied. This means that if you were already disabled before filing your application, you could receive benefits for up to a year before the application date. Back pay is calculated from the established onset date (EOD) of your disability.

Q: What Is the Most a Disability Lawyer Can Charge?

A: Any attorney who helps you apply for disability is capped on what legal fees they can charge. Lawyers can charge up to 25% of the back pay awarded to a claimant, and this amount cannot exceed $7,200. Disability lawyers often work on a contingency basis. They do not get paid until you are paid.

Q: What Is a Lump Sum Payment for Permanent Impairment?

A: A lump sum payment for permanent impairment is a one-time payment given to an individual who has suffered a lasting disability or loss of function due to a workplace injury or illness. This payment is intended to cover the long-term costs associated with the injured worker’s quality of life, ability to work, and overall well-being. The amount is usually determined based on the severity of the impairment, the individual’s age, and potential future earnings losses.

Q: How Do You Prove Permanent Disability?

A: You prove disability by working with an experienced personal injury attorney who has helped other clients in similar situations. Having medical records and X-rays can strengthen your claim. Your doctor’s notes and diagnosis of your injury can show that you are disabled. Other forms of evidence could include witness testimony and evidence from the day of the injury.

Schedule Your Social Security Disability Consultation Today

If you were unexpectedly injured or disabled due to a worsening health condition, it is natural to feel uncertain about what lies ahead. You might qualify for important benefits through a federal or state program.

For help navigating your options, consider consulting with one of the attorneys at Barry Law Group. We have assisted numerous disabled individuals in securing benefits to cover lost wages and medical costs. Let us help you navigate this process effectively. Contact our office today to schedule your permanent disability consultation today.