As the pandemic stretches into the new year, many people are still seen facing issues while coming to terms with this new normal. The pandemic has surely brought in newer challenges and drastically changed the way we do things. If you are someone who has had a pre-existing condition and the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened your situation such that you are unable to work anymore, you may be qualified to receive disability benefits. For additional information on exactly who qualifies and how these cases work, visit this page from the disability lawyers at Riddle and Brantley: https://justicecounts.com/nc-disability-lawyers/disability-and-covid-19/
How Do Disability Claim Benefits Work?
If you are someone who is suffering from a disability, it is important to understand your legal options to secure disability benefits. Even if you were ineligible to file a disability claim before the pandemic, you may become eligible now due to COVID-19. The Social Security Administration provides Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits to the disabled. For someone to qualify for such benefits, one needs to prove that they are completely incapacitated from working full time. Thus, along with demonstrating that you are injured or sick, you are also required to prove that your disability is preventing you from completing the work at all.
How Can You Receive Disability Benefits For COVID-19?
Research studies indicate that patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19 have a delayed recovery phase lasting more than 3 months in some cases. While the lasting effects of COVID-19 infection are still being researched, prolonged symptoms can make a person completely incapacitated. Although there is yet to be a disability listing for COVID-19, a person can receive benefits even if they may not have been qualified to receive them before in the following cases:
- A person was already suffering from fibromyalgia that involved mild fatigue and inability to concentrate and the COVID-19 infection made their condition worse, leaving them completely disabled.
- A person was previously suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and their condition worsened after contracting COVID-19 making them completely disabled to complete their job or put them on the ventilator due to severe symptoms.
- A person was already suffering from pre-existing health conditions such as brain, kidney, heart ailments, and their case worsened affecting their ability to work due to COVID infection.
Why Should You Hire A Good Law Firm for Your COVID-19 Disability Case?
As disability benefits related to COVID-19 are relatively new, it is recommended to contact an attorney if you are experiencing disability owing to a COVID infection. A good lawyer will evaluate your case and help you understand if you qualify for disability benefits. Due to the unique nature of the infection and as COVID-19 diagnosis directly affects disability benefits, many law firms are reluctant to take up a case for disability claims if the person has been diagnosed with COVID. But it is critical to note that COVID-19 infection has the potential to make an existing disability or pre-existing health condition much worse in a manner that a person would qualify for disability. Thus, if you are planning to hire an attorney, it is important to differentiate between law firms and secure a good attorney who is experienced and professional and can provide you with strong legal backing. You do not deserve to be deprived of your disability privileges and hence it is crucial to have a good legal expert who represents you and helps you receive the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
