Filing for Social Security With a Spinal Injury

Spinal injuries can significantly disrupt your ability to work and lead to significant financial burdens. These injuries may leave you with temporary, partial, or permanent paralysis. These injuries can happen in work accidents, slip and fall accidents, and automobile accidents. When you suffer a spinal injury in Colorado, you can file for Social Security Disability. This is an option that your personal injury attorney can assist you with filing if the injury leaves you unable to work.

Social Security Disability

Section 1.00 deals with injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Spinal injuries are covered under Section 1.04. Vertebral fracture, Spinal Arachnoiditis, and herniated nucleus puposus are among the spinal conditions that are covered.

When pursuing SSDI, individuals need to provide considerable evidence of the injury. This includes X-rays, MRI’s, CT scans, and other documentation from your physician that establishes the presence of the injury as well as any surgical procedures or physical therapy applied to treat the injury.

It is also possible to pursue claims under Section 11.00. This section deals specifically with neurological conditions. Individuals who suffer the loss of motor function, communication impairment, or limitations to their physical or mental functioning qualify for coverage under this section.

The Waiting Game

Unfortunately, SSDI compensation takes time to receive. It may take 3-5 months or longer to receive a decision. Thus, it is important to confirm that the information you submit is clear, correct, and complete. Working closely with your personal injury attorney in Colorado can help avoid a lengthy appeals process that can further delay the benefits you are entitled to receive.

As of this year, the maximum monthly benefit is $3,011. SSDI uses a complex formula to determine how much an individual is entitled to receive. It takes into account how much you have paid in Social Security taxes, your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME), and bend points. It is important to note that unlike VA benefits that determine benefits based on the level of disability, SSDI is all or nothing. You must be fully disabled in order to qualify.

We encourage you to contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. at (303) 447-1144 for more information about pursuing SSDI benefits for a spinal injury. We can help you pursue these benefits as well as other forms of compensation when your injuries leave you unable to work.