Can’t Work Due to a Ruptured Disc? Social Security Disability in Massachusetts Might Be Able to Help!

Your back stabilizes you, helps you move, and supports you throughout the day. When something goes wrong and you rupture a disc, the pain you experience is extreme, to say the least. In addition to your daily activities, working becomes more difficult—if not impossible—leaving you to wonder what your options are.

Top Causes of Ruptured Discs

Ruptured discs can be caused by a variety of injuries.

  • Wear and tear of your spine
  • Sudden movements that cause the disc to move abnormally
  • Improper form while lifting heavy objects
  • Sports injuries
  • Car accidents
     

These injuries can happen in the workplace, on the road, or as you age. No matter what caused your pain, one thing is for sure. Performing the job you once held is not easy. If you worked in a highly physical job, you can no longer lift heavy items or move as freely as you once did. If you work in a sedentary job, sitting for hours on end can be excruciatingly painful.

Getting Social Security Disability in Massachusetts for a Ruptured Disc

In spite of how painful a ruptured disc might be, getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Massachusetts might not be as easy you may think. Because many spinal injuries heal within a year, the Social Security Administration does not always approve applications for spinal disorders. Instead, you might have to show that you have a back problem in addition to your ruptured disc. These back problems include:

  • Narrowing of the spine from spinal stenosis
  • A compressed nerve, or nerve root compression
  • Inflammation of the membrane around your spinal cord from arachnoiditis
     

A ruptured disc can sometimes be triggered by or accompany these injuries. Even if you have one of these other conditions, you still have to show specifically how they impact your ability to work.

As painful as they are, ruptured discs rarely qualify on their own to receive Social Security disability benefits. When filing your application, it is crucial that you point out specifically how your ruptured disc impacts your life, and your ability to work. For example, if your range of motion has decreased significantly, and you have muscle weakness, show that in your application.

Filing an application for this and other spinal disorders is not easy. If you’re not sure if you qualify, talk to a Massachusetts Social Security disability lawyer for guidance on your specific injury and case.

Do you have experience applying for SSDI in Massachusetts for a ruptured disc? Let us know what happened in your case in the comments below.

Are You Looking for a Social Security Disability Attorney in Boston, MA?

If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 508.283.5500 to schedule your free consultation.

John L. Keefe
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Founding Attorney, Massachusetts Social Security Disability Lawyer