Long Term Disability Facts You Need To Know

Very few of us think of long-term disability (LTD)as something that could happen to anyone at any time in life. This condition is not just one of physical restrictions, pain and discomfort. It causes a huge financial burden on the victim and the entire family. Inability to work in a profession that you’ve been trained for leaves you without an immediate source of income.  Along with this, your medical treatments, surgery, rehabilitation, follow-ups, medication, assistive devices etc have to be paid for. This causes a financial crisis. Finally, the emotional and psychological aspects are equally important. Depression, suicidal thoughts, lack of self-esteem, social isolation, behavioral issues, drug or alcohol dependence, aggression, rage, breakdown of personal relationships are some of the risks.

Victims are entitled to LTD benefits that can replace between 55-75% of gross-earnings. However, there are strict regulations and criteria that govern eligibility. If you’re entitled to Worker’s Compensation, you can apply with the help of an experienced long term disability claims lawyer. Robust evidence has to be presented to back your claim with inputs from authorized, reliable and respected experts in the field.

Insurance companies could deny your claim if your employer doesn’t provide the right documentation. Your injuries may not be properly documented by the treating doctor. LTD benefits may be terminated after two years and you have to re-apply in case you are unable to do any work to earn an income. If pre-existing conditions are discovered, your claim will be denied. You need to act immediately if your claim is denied to get the compensation you deserve.

Lesser Known Facts About Anoxic Brain Injury

When accidents happen, any part of the body can get injured. When these injuries occur in the head and brain areas, they have long term consequences on the life of the victim. Apart from the physical issues, such injuries also result in huge financial losses caused by the inability to work and earn wages to sustain normal life. Medical treatments, rehabilitation and continuing care are other areas where expenses can spiral out of control in case of long term or permanent disability.

Most of us are aware of traumatic brain injury or TBI. However, a lesser known but equally serious type is the anoxic brain injury. Here the injury is not always caused by a blow to the head, skull fracture or penetration of the skull by sharp objects during a catastrophic accident. Anoxic brain injury is a result of oxygen deprivation to the brain. When oxygen is cut off, even briefly, the neural cells die and patients can suffer from diminished brain function. Continued oxygen deprivation leads to death.

Choking, suffocation, blow to the windpipe, getting stuck under vehicles in a collision, or even a slip and fall injury that injures the windpipe and cuts off oxygen supply can result in anoxic brain injury. The common symptoms include disorientation, concussion, mood-changes, sleep disturbances, memory loss, behavioral changes etc. In the case of young children, this can be difficult to identify.

Visit a qualified doctor immediately. Contact a personal injury lawyer without delay. If your accident was caused by another’s fault or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

Getting The Best Out of Your Personal Injury Claim

When people are injured in accidents, most of them assume that their insurance companies, or those of the at-fault party will promptly honor their compensation claim. However, the harsh reality is that insurance companies are for-profit organizations whose aim is to protect their own business interests. They would adopt several methods to delay, deny, dismiss or dispute your claim based on a variety of “facts” and technical aspects.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can deal with the complex medical, legal and insurance issues involved. This leaves the injured person free to concentrate on getting his/her life back on track.

The claims process can be quite lengthy and stressful if you’re not prepared for it. Most claims are settled out-of-court and rarely make it to trial. They’re settled through negotiation, arbitration, mediation etc. Court outcomes are unpredictable. Hence, settlement is a good option. Avoid trying to handle the claim on your own. This is not a job for DIY enthusiasts.

Successful claims hinge on evidence and the law. Ensure that you preserve all bills, receipts, documents, etc. Take photos of the accident-scene, location, injuries, damage etc with date/time stamps immediately if possible. Avoid confrontation, discussions etc with anyone. Visit a qualified doctor immediately, even if you feel your injuries are minor. This helps to leave a paper-trail if your injuries turn out to be serious later. Don’t talk to insurance-company representatives or claims adjusters without your personal injury lawyer’s go-ahead. Keep an accident journal to record all events and don’t be tempted to take swift, meager settlements in the short-term.