What Are the Top Ten Disabilities?

Bill Allen | March 4, 2024 | Personal Injury

What are the top ten disabilities

The best lawyers have helped their clients get benefits and compensation for all manner of disabilities. Some disabilities, however, are more common than others. If you are dealing with a disability, there are signs that you will be approved for benefits. You will likely find your particular ailment described below.

1. Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system is the structure your body uses to move around. It consists of bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, joints, and more. Individuals who have musculoskeletal disorders make up the highest percentage of people receiving or pursuing Social Security disability benefits. 

2. Disorders Affecting Mood

When you’re considering what medical conditions qualify for long-term disability, you may not be aware that many mood disorders count. Mood and mental disorders can debilitate an otherwise healthy individual, leaving them unable to work. 

Common mood disorders that qualify for disability benefits include:

The process of obtaining disability benefits for mood disorders can be challenging. An experienced attorney can help gather the support you need to be approved for disability. 

3. Disorders of the Nervous System and Sensory Organs

Nervous system conditions and disorders can disable a healthy individual and keep them from gainful employment. Equally debilitating are disorders of the sensory organs, such as the ears and eyes. Blindness, in particular, is especially debilitating, even more so than loss of hearing in many cases. 

4. Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual disabilities can prevent individuals from engaging in various basic, life-preserving tasks competently. 

These tasks include:

  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Problem-solving

Intellectual disabilities also hamper or fully prevent adaptive behavior. Adaptive behaviors are the skills and behaviors individuals use to function in a socially acceptable manner. Sadly, some of these disorders and conditions come about due to preventable medical malpractice.

5. Disorders of the Circulatory System

The circulatory system includes arteries and veins that carry oxygen, blood, and nutrients throughout the body. Disorders of this system increase the risk of cardiac emergencies, including stroke and heart attack.

6. Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders

Roughly 11% of people receiving SSA benefits have schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. 

Symptoms of psychotic disorders include:

  • Delusions
  • Audio and visual hallucinations
  • Erratic and irrational behavior
  • Speech issues

Many of these symptoms manifest so severely as to completely debilitate a sufferer. 

7. Mental Disorders

Other mental disorders include a long list of mental conditions that may qualify an individual for SSA disability benefits. Benefits are possible as long as the effects are severe enough and medically verifiable.

8. Physical Injuries

Often, a physical injury is what qualifies for short-term disability. These, in many cases, tend to heal faster than debilitating conditions. That said, many physical injuries can become chronic, incapacitating conditions, such as back and brain injuries. They may also be severe enough to be classified as catastrophic injuries.

9. Organic Mental Disorders

Organic mental disorders are debilitating, non-psychotic conditions of the mind, such as:

These conditions tend to develop over time and often leave their sufferers unable to function independently. 

Neoplasms are abnormally growing cells that form lumps or tumors in the body. They may be benign, pre-cancerous, or cancerous. Their growth can spread throughout the body, severely disrupt normal body functions, and lead to total disability and incapacity. 

A Lawyer Can Help With Your Disability Claim

Various state and federal programs are in place to aid those with disabilities. If you are struggling to adapt to a disability and need resources, you may be entitled to various medical and financial benefits. Speaking to an experienced attorney is the first step to truly understanding your rights. Search for “disability lawyers near me” to get started.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. in Gainesville, FL

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have three convenient locations in Gainesville, Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
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Gainesville, FL 32608
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