Disabilities can affect every aspect of your life. In addition to the medical bills you incur, you may also experience physical and mental pain because of your disability. As a result, your condition will likely limit your occupational and recreational activities.
You may have the right to seek compensation for your disability. Social Security, workers’ compensation, and personal injury lawsuits can provide the financial breathing room to focus on your health.
How Are Disabilities Defined in Tennessee?
Context is key when defining the term “disability.” The Social Security Administration defines disability as a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents a person from engaging in substantial gainful activity and has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
In contrast, Tennessee workers’ compensation provides benefits for qualifying work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
Under Tennessee law, disability benefits fall into four categories:
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Permanent total disability
- Permanent partial disability
Eligibility depends on the nature of the work-related condition and its effect on the employee’s ability to work.
Ten Common Tennessee Disabilities
Disabilities can have any of the following effects:
- Sensory disabilities affecting vision or hearing
- Mobility disabilities
- Cognitive disabilities
- Self-care disabilities affecting the ability to dress or bathe
- Independent living disabilities affecting the ability to perform errands and life tasks
The following disabilities are commonly cited as the most common conditions with those effects.
1. Physical Injuries
Physical injuries can result from a single event, such as a truck accident. Repetitive stress can also injure the body. Some common physical injuries include muscle strains, joint sprains, and bone fractures. These disabilities can affect mobility, self-care, and independent living.
2. Musculoskeletal Diseases
Musculoskeletal diseases result from degeneration or congenital disorders rather than accidents. Osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disorder are musculoskeletal diseases. Like physical injuries, these diseases can affect mobility, self-care, and independent living.
3. Mental Illness
Mental illnesses affect a person’s perceptions, thinking, mood, and behaviors. Common mental illnesses include depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. These illnesses can affect cognition, self-care, and independent living.
4. Cognitive, Intellectual, and Autism Disorders
Cognitive, intellectual, and autism disorders can affect a person’s thinking, memory, and communication. They may have difficulty learning and processing information. These conditions can result from genetics or physical injuries. For example, a brain injury from a motorcycle accident could cause a cognitive disability.
5. Heart Disease
Heart disease is Tennessee’s leading cause of death. Heart diseases include congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia. Heart disease can limit a person’s endurance and strength.
6. Neoplasms
Neoplasms include both cancerous and benign growths. Both the condition and its treatment can fall under any disability category, depending on the location of the growth. For example, a neoplasm in the brain can affect vision, hearing, mobility, or cognition.
7. Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders affect the nervous system. They can result from either genetics or injuries. Contrary to widespread belief, the nervous system can sometimes heal or reroute signals. However, in many cases, these injuries can cause long-term disabilities, including paralysis, numbness, and weakness.
8. Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases happen when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. The attack can cause inflammation and pain.
9. Endocrine Disorders
The endocrine system transmits chemical signals to manage metabolism, reproduction, and other functions. Diabetes is an example of an endocrine disorder.
10. Vision and Hearing Loss
Vision and hearing loss can affect mobility, self-care, and independent living. These disabilities can result from diseases, genetic conditions, and injuries.
Contact the Memphis Personal Injury Lawyers at Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC for a Free Consultation
Living with a disability can affect nearly every aspect of your life, from your ability to work to your financial stability and independence. If your disability resulted from an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The experienced Memphis, TN, personal injury lawyers at Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation at (901) 602-5700.
We proudly serve Shelby County and the surrounding communities.
Alders and Lewellyn, PLLC
1331 Union Ave Ste 1000, Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 602-5700
