Many knee injuries heal in a relatively short period. When the injury is expected to leave you unable to work for at least a year, you may want to file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The process to apply for this program is difficult and lengthy.
When you submit your application, you’re going to be asked a lot of questions about the knee injury. You have to have to be able to show the Social Security Administration (SSA) proof of the information you provide. There are several things to consider when you’re in this position.
Proof of the injury and its impacts
You’re going to need a medical source who can tell the SSA about the knee injury. This includes the diagnosis, prognosis and expected healing time. You’ll also need to have nonmedical sources who can describe how the injury is affecting your ability to live life in a normal manner. Medical evidence such as x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and other images might also be beneficial to your case.
Information about treatments and assistive devices
The SSA needs to know how the condition is being treated and if there are any assistive devices that could help you to function normally. Other medical problems you have, when combined with the knee problems may keep you from working.
Anyone who suffers a knee injury that prevents them from working for a year or more should know how these cases are handled by the SSDI program. This can help you to know what to expect and may also help you to determine what you should do for your case. Getting experienced legal guidance can help if you have to appeal a decision made by the SSA.