Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Soft Tissue Injury (Burns)
A soft tissue injury is the damage of muscles, ligaments and tendons throughout the body. Common soft tissue injuries usually occur from a sprain, strain, a one-off blow resulting in a contusion, overuse of a particular part of the body or burns. Soft tissue injuries can result in pain, swelling, bruising and, in some cases, be serious enough to cause a complete or partial loss of function or ambulatory movement (i.e., walking). This is especially true of serious burn injuries to the soft tissue. Approximately 14 million Americans experience soft tissue injuries each year. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 1.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Soft Tissue Injury (Burns) Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with soft tissue injuries do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Burns and other soft tissue injuries are listed in Section 1.00 of the Blue Book, which covers the Adult Musculoskeletal System. Generally speaking, in order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits due to soft tissue injuries, you must experience significant loss of mobility, major limb function, or fine muscle movements. This loss of function must be expected to last (or have already lasted) at least twelve full months.
The loss of function can be a result of the soft tissue damage itself or the resultant pain. Pain must be the result of a medically determinable cause in order to be considered sufficient for disability benefits. In the case of a burn, there is definitely a medically determinable cause. It becomes important that medical evaluations by your physician completely and accurately report that the pain caused by your soft tissue damage severely limits your ability to function and perform everyday activities.
With soft tissue damage resulting from burns, especially when pain is being considered as part of the reason why you can no longer continue working, the SSA will extensively evaluate your residual functional capacity. They will look at things such as your ability to perform daily activities in and around your home to determine whether you could perform similarly strenuous activities in the workplace.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with a soft tissue injury and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
