Paralysis is a damaging physical condition that prevents a victim from having sensation in a part of their body. These traumatic injuries are generally the result of damage to the spinal cord, and depending on where a person suffers a spinal cord injury, their type of paralysis may differ. This post will briefly discuss spinal cord injuries and how they may qualify Oklahoma residents for Social Security Disability benefits, but readers are reminded that this post contains no legal or medical advice.
The spinal cord is a group of nerves that run from a person’s brain down through their back body. From the spinal cord nerves branch out to the muscles and bodily systems of the person, so that the brain can exert control over the entire body. The spinal cord is encased in a set of bones, called the spinal column.
When a person’s body suffers trauma from an accident or incident their spinal cord may be hurt. If the spinal cord is damaged, it may stop sending impulses from the brain to the parts of the body that are below where the injury occurred. If this happens, the person may become paralyzed and have limited movement or control over their bodily systems.
Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete, each with its own set of medical criteria. The Social Security Administration recognizes musculoskeletal injuries are possible bases for disability claims, but the strength of an applicant’s claim will depend on the evidence they are able to provide for review. Consultation with a disability benefits attorney may help victims of spinal cord injuries understand how their disabilities can avail them to important benefits and assistance.