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Traumatic spinal cord injuries increasing

On Behalf of | Feb 3, 2014 | Injuries, Long-Term Disability

Millions of Americans live with a disability. There are many different reasons people become disabled. Some people’s disabilities are caused by a medical condition while others are caused by a physical injury of some kind.

Physical injuries can be very traumatic, especially if it causes long-term damage that makes it difficult to continue working and living the same lifestyle. Spinal cord injuries can cause permanent damage, and the number of serious traumatic spinal cord injuries are increasing, according to research by Johns Hopkins.

Car accidents contribute to many spinal cord injuries every year, but the study found that falls are increasingly to blame for more traumatic spinal cord injuries among the elderly. Spinal cord injuries can result in a wide range of symptoms and complications, including temporary numbness to paralysis for the rest of a person’s life.

Spinal cord injuries can not only cause paralysis but also result in problems breathing and not being able to empty your bladder. Spinal cord injuries can also result in other motor disabilities that make it difficult to function as you once did.

Individuals with spinal cord injuries often have high medical costs due to rehabilitation, treatments and necessary care. These costs can be very difficult to afford, especially for people who can no longer work due to their disability.

That is why individuals with spinal cord injuries should be aware of Social Security disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration. SSDI benefits can help people with spinal cord injuries pay for medical treatment as well as other monthly living costs that can be difficult to afford. People with spinal cord injuries should look into applying for SSDI benefits and consult an attorney for specific advice and guidance.

Source: Insurance Journal, “Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries on the Rise in U.S.,” Feb. 3, 2014

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