Most forms of injuries have a significant impact on the person suffering from the injury and often limit their ability to function normally as they recover. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can be even more traumatic as it prevents a person from not only being unable to take care of himself or herself but it could also affect their ability to communicate with others. The symptoms depend largely on the type of injury sustained and the severity of the injury, but it could range from being unable to dress oneself to being unable to work.
There are many ways a traumatic brain injury could prevent someone from working. If a California resident is unable to communicate effectively, they cannot answer phones or even talk to their co-workers. If the injury has resulted in memory loss or loss in concentration, performing basic duties at work can become impossible and if the injured person is suffering from dizziness or visual problems, they are setting themselves up from getting hurt once again. If the injury is causing numbness or tingling in limbs, then simple tasks such as grasping items or even holding a pen can become physically impossible.
All of the symptoms mentioned above manifest themselves when a person has a TBI and, without a stable job to provide a source of income, the person suffering from it will not be able to get the medical help they need and make ends meet on a daily basis. The Social Security Administration recognizes some forms of brain injuries as disabling conditions and provides social security disability benefits for it. Depending on the severity and symptoms, a case could fall under neurocognitive disorders or cerebral trauma.
When someone is already going through a tough time with a traumatic brain injury and trying to keep it together, trying to determine which case their injury falls under to receive federal benefits could be daunting. It may be beneficial to consult with an experienced attorney who could not only explain the process but also try to facilitate an applicant with their application as much as possible.