If you hurt yourself badly, you might recover, but only partially. If that happens, you may have a permanent disability. In these situations, you will face some significant life changes, and you might find adjusting difficult.
You can do it, but it will take some time and patience. We will talk about permanent disabilities right now. We'll review what qualifies, whether you can recover lost wages, and how to start feeling better again.
What Constitutes a Permanent Disability?
If you hurt yourself so that you can't recover, and it significantly impacts your life, that's a permanent disability. A serious spinal cord injury might qualify. If you lose a limb, that's a permanent disability as well.
If you can no longer see, that qualifies. If you can't hear, that's on the list too. Third-degree burns belong in that category, as do severe neurological disorders.
Can You Recover Lost Wages?
If you hurt yourself badly, you might wonder whether you can recover lost wages if you can't do the same work that you did before. Maybe you can work from home, but perhaps you must give up your job entirely.
You can usually get permanent total disability payments if you hurt yourself while on the job. In Florida, permanent total disability benefits equal 66.67% of your salary. This number changes in other states, though.
Using Florida as an example, you can only get permanent total disability payments if you don't have the physical capability to work at any job within 50 miles of your home. If you can perform a sedentary job, which usually means sitting at home and working on a computer, that means you can't get these benefits. The state has strict policies in place.
In various states, you will notice these policies have different rules and clauses. That's why, if you want permanent total disability payments, you must make sure that you qualify.
What About if You Don't Hurt Yourself at Work?
Also, you should know that if you don't hurt yourself at work, you probably can't collect your state's permanent total disability benefits. They're in place for individuals who hurt themselves while on the job.
That's money you might get through the state, though. You can potentially get payments, but you must apply at the federal level.
Let's say you fell off the roof while working on your house. You did not hurt yourself while on the job. Because of this, you can't get workers' comp or permanent total disability payments.
You can still apply for Social Security Disability benefits. You have paid into Social Security for years with every paycheck. Now, you can use some of that money as you get your life back on track.
To get these payments, you must prove you can no longer work, though. The federal government has stringent rules in place, just like a state government would. You must make sure your doctors give you all the paperwork and test results necessary. Otherwise, the Social Security Administration might reject your claim.
Your Physical Recovery
You will certainly need to figure out your monetary situation after a devastating injury, but right after it happens, that might not occupy your thoughts very much. Instead, you might think about your physical recovery. That may stay in your mind at all times.
Depending on what injury you sustained, you might need an operation to regain your physical equilibrium. You may need multiple surgeries.
You may require physical therapy sessions. You might need these sessions for months or years. You may also need some downtime during which your body can heal.
During this recovery phase, you can figure out what you can and can't do. Your physical therapist, doctor, and anyone else who's helping you can advise you. You should listen and follow their instructions. You may have a long road till you get to where you're feeling a little better.
Your Psychological Recovery
Your psychological recovery matters too. You might need some time during which you will play back what happened. Maybe you'll play the "what if" game. If you had acted a little differently, or if someone else had, perhaps you would not have this condition or injury that will impact your life from this point forward.
You may experience sadness, anger, or depression. You might feel all three in equal measure. You should probably see a therapist if you feel like you need a friend or someone who will listen while you rant. Maybe you feel like you're having some bleak thoughts, and you don't feel okay telling your family members and friends what you're thinking.
The therapist can listen, and they can suggest coping strategies. They might give you medication that helps your mood. They may give you exercises you can do that will gradually get you into a better headspace.
Creating a New Life
You can gradually create a new life with your limitations or condition. You should go into it with no expectations. Your doctors, therapist, and others around you may tell you that you should expect certain thoughts and feelings, but only you are going through this. You will have a totally unique experience.
You'll likely have a tough time at first. If you can't walk, can't see, you're missing a limb, or you have some other huge physical change, you can't just jump into your new existence without missing a beat. You must find out what you can realistically do, and you can determine what's no longer possible.
Your family must help you during this time. This kind of devastating injury can bring you all closer together, or it may drive you apart.
During this period, you can see how much your spouse, partner, kids, friends, and anyone else around you genuinely care. They can show their loyalty and love since you'll definitely need it during this transition period.
Ideally, you will eventually appreciate your remaining capabilities. You'll have a different life, but hopefully still a happy one.
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