Injuries typically need to be quite severe to help someone qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). If you can still work a job, even if it isn’t your usual job, you may not qualify.
Not only will the symptoms created by the injury need to meet a very strict standard established for disabling medical conditions, but the consequences must persist for at least 12 months. The average broken bone won’t qualify for benefits, as the human body can generally recover from a fracture in between six and 12 weeks.
Even more severe fractures that require surgery could have someone back at full functionality within six months. However, there is one, somewhat rare, situation that may start with a broken bone and will lead to SSDI benefits.
Broken bones can cause a severe medical condition
In a very small number of people with fractures, the body’s attempt to heal the broken bone will cause worsening symptoms. Individuals may develop complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), CRPS is a lifelong and incurable medical condition that may cause debilitating symptoms that get worse as time passes.
Those diagnosed with CRPS may qualify for SSDI benefits if their symptoms are bad enough to keep them from working. While your CRPS may not be severe enough to qualify for benefits at the time of your diagnosis, it may progress into a qualifying condition after some time has passed and symptoms worsen.
Knowing how to evaluate a condition can help you determine if you may qualify for SSDI benefits after an injury.