Do I Qualify for Disability Payments?
It was a foggy Santa Monica morning when I went for my daily jog down the beach. Despite the misty morning, I reached my goal and started to head back, ready to tackle the day. I was on my way home, crossing Wilshire Boulevard, when an SUV ran a red light and hit me at full speed. In an instant my life was turned upside down, the impact sent me flying and I landed yards away. Days later I woke up in the hospital, surgery had repaired broken bones and internal bleeding, but we were waiting on test results to learn how bad the damage was to my spine.
Living with a Catastrophic Injury
When the doctors told me I might never walk again, I knew I couldn’t do this alone. This accident was going to not only impact my health, but also my family, my future, and my financial stability. I needed help, so I asked my friends and family for their go-to catastrophic injury lawyers in Los Angeles. They all told me to call BD&J.
While I focused on rehabilitation, my catastrophic injury attorney investigated my accident, filed my claim, and fought for compensation to cover medical bills that were piling up. I hadn’t been back to work since the accident and had no idea how I was going to get caught up on bills, let alone support my family. That’s when we learned the damage to my spinal cord was irreparable, and I was facing permanent disability and life in a wheelchair. I realized I would never be able to return to my job.
My legal team came to my house in Los Angeles and calculated the compensation I needed for the loss of earning potential. My accident lawyer was confident we would win the case and I would get a fair payment, but I couldn’t help but worry about providing for my kids and their future.
Finding Solutions After My Accident
While the lawyers negotiated a settlement, we decided to apply for disability payments to get financial support quickly. My legal team helped me apply for California State Disability Insurance. I met all the requirements of being out of work for at least eight days, having lost wages, having medical certification of my disability, and more. I knew these benefits wouldn’t last forever, but these disability payments helped me turn a corner.
The Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyers on my case continued to fight for justice but faced liability disputes from the defendant’s insurance company. Although we had clear evidence proving the driver’s negligence, the other party refused to negotiate in good faith. The BD&J team makes sure every client gets the payment they need after a traumatic accident, so they refused to accept the low offer on the table. My lawyers knew we had the evidence we needed to win what I was owed, so they filed for the case to be heard in front of a judge.
A year of mediation and hearings passed, and I was struggling to keep up. We had moved to a first-floor apartment to accommodate my wheelchair, and the moving expenses created more financial stress. After putting in applications for months, I was defeated by the challenges of finding a job that could accommodate my disability with the skills I had. My lawyers had mentioned that I would be eligible for federal disability insurance, and it felt like that was the best way forward.
Rebuilding What Was Lost
We were able to request everything we needed to verify my eligibility from my doctors and employment counselor. We submitted proof of my medical inability to perform functional work, of my inability to return to the same job due to a medical condition, and proof that the condition is permanent, and I was quickly approved for Social Security Disability Insurance thanks to the help of my legal team at BD&J and doctors.
Later that year, the judge ruled in my favor against the driver that hit me, and I was awarded the compensation I needed to pay off medical debts, cover ongoing care, and continue rebuilding my life. Thanks to the hard work of my catastrophic injury attorneys in Los Angeles, I was able to arrange transportation that accommodated wheelchairs and eventually got the necessary training to change to a new job.
I am grateful that my lawyers helped me pursue every legal and financial resource available to me. Disability insurance helped my family weather the storm, and I would not be where I am today without the help of my legal team at BD&J.
FAQs
Do I need a catastrophic injury lawyer in Los Angeles after a serious accident?
It is not required to work with a catastrophic injury lawyer after a serious accident; however, it is highly recommended due to the nature of the injuries and the need for adequate financial compensation for ongoing medical care and/or disability accommodations. Victims statistically win up to three times more compensation when they work with a lawyer on these kinds of cases. In addition, these claims can require complex medical evidence, long-term financial calculations, and a clear idea of how life-changing injuries affect every aspect of daily life. A catastrophic injury lawyer can fulfill these needs and fight for maximum compensation to help victims rebuild their lives.
What is the difference between a personal injury lawyer and a catastrophic injury lawyer?
A catastrophic injury lawyer is essentially a personal injury lawyer that specializes in severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries, among others. They can handle more complex cases, refer clients to the right medical specialists, and hold powerful defendants accountable. Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorneys don’t manage claims for quick payouts—they oversee serious, high-value cases that can determine the victim’s long-term quality of life.
What are the eligibility requirements for disability payments?
Social Security Disability Insurance generally requires four things: eligible work history, a qualifying condition, and extremely limited functional work abilities preventing applicants from achieving a certain income threshold. Simply put, your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering for at least one year to qualify for social security disability insurance.
Why do victims turn to the BD&J catastrophic injury lawyers?
We have a strong reputation among catastrophic injury lawyers in Los Angeles based on our history of significant wins and superior client service. Our record of high value settlements shows our dedication to bringing in maximum compensation for every client. We offer individualized support from medical to legal needs and have empathy knowing our clients are struggling with life-altering injuries. Finally, clients appreciate that we offer free comprehensive case evaluations so that we can discuss legal options with clients and give them a reasonable idea of how much compensation we can fight for.
Superior Los Angeles Catastrophic Injury Attorneys
Clients can rest assured that when they work with the award-winning team at BD&J they are getting a firm with more than 20 years of experience defending the rights of injured Californians. We have won more than $2 billion* in compensation for past clients and will bring the same commitment to justice to your case.
DISCLAIMER: The content and stories shared in this blog are fictional and meant for informational and educational purposes only. They do not represent real client experiences or actual legal outcomes, nor do they guarantee results for your case. Any resemblance to real persons or cases is purely coincidental.
