What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?
Gregg Hollander | April 16, 2024 | Personal Injury
If a car accident or other type of injury has left you disabled, you may be wondering what kinds of conditions qualify as a disability in the U.S. The CDC reports that one in four adults is living with some sort of disability.
Most disabilities are categorized as affecting either a person’s mobility, cognition, hearing, or vision. There are many causes of a disability. Some are related to aging and disease, while some people are born with conditions that cause a disability.
Workplace injuries are a bigger source of disability than most people realize. According to the Social Security Administration, 26% of women and 45% of men receiving disability insurance were injured or became ill in the workplace.
How Is a Disability Defined?
The Americans with Disabilities Act was originally developed to protect disabled people from being discriminated against in the workplace. The ADA sets forth a three-pronged definition of disability.
In order to meet the definition, an individual must have a mental or physical impairment that:
- Substantially limits a person’s major life activities
- Is provable through medical and other types of records
- Is medically regarded as an impairment
People who wish to qualify for Disability Insurance Benefits must meet criteria set out by the ADA and the Social Security Administration. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, these are the most common types of disabilities seen in the U.S. today:
1. Back and Spinal Injuries
Back and spinal injuries account for over 19% of all ADA charges. These types of injuries may occur during a workplace or auto accident, or they might be congenital.
2. Psychiatric and Mental Health Impairments
Almost 12% of those applying for disability insurance have been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Examples include depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychiatric concerns.
3. Neurological Impairments
Epilepsy, nervous system disorders, and migraine headaches are examples of neurological disabilities. These conditions make up 11.7% of ADA claims.
4. Extremity Impairments
The term “extremity impairment” refers to the loss of or the loss of use of a body part. Extremity impairments can be caused by repetitive movements, as in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome. Alternatively, they may be the result of medical malpractice.
5. Heart Impairments
Heart defects and heart disease are not always considered disabling. However, such concerns that are severe enough to restrict an individual’s activity may qualify as a disability.
6. Substance Use Disorder
Many people are unaware that drug and alcohol use disorders qualify as disabilities. Around 3.5% of all ADA claims are related to substance abuse.
7. Diabetes
More than 38 million U.S. adults were diagnosed with diabetes in 2021. Diabetes disability claims may be approved when the disease causes limitations that cannot be accommodated in the workplace. An example might be when an employer cannot hold a job open long enough to give an employee time to get their diabetes under control.
8. Hearing Impairments
Deafness and significant hearing loss may qualify as a disability as well. Both these conditions can be congenital or the result of a catastrophic injury.
9. Vision Impairments
Vision impairments are another common disability. These include serious vision problems such as low vision and total blindness.
10. Blood Disorders
Blood disorders encompass conditions like hepatitis and hemophilia. These concerns may qualify as a disability.
More Considerations Regarding Disabilities
There are several other conditions that may be considered to be a disability. For instance, certain respiratory illnesses, skin disorders, and congenital disorders like Down syndrome may qualify a person to receive disability insurance.
Have you been injured in an accident or have any type of medical condition that has limited your ability to work and participate in other major activities? If so, you may be entitled to disability assistance.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in South Florida
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
We proudly serve Palm Beach County, Broward County, and its surrounding areas:
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Boca Raton Law Office
7000 W Palmetto Park Rd #500
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 347-7770
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Fort Lauderdale Law Office
200 S.E. 6th Street #203
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 287-0566
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – West Palm Beach Law Office
319 Clematis St #203
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 556-7873