Medications can be life-saving and essential for treating various health conditions. However, some medications come with severe side effects that can impact daily life, making it difficult or impossible for individuals to work. When side effects are so severe that they interfere with the ability to perform daily tasks or hold a job, individuals may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

At Shipon Law Associates, we are dedicated to helping people who are struggling with debilitating side effects obtain the benefits they need. If you find that medication side effects are preventing you from maintaining employment, we encourage you to visit UnableToWork.com to explore your options and seek expert assistance.

How Severe Medication Side Effects Can Qualify You for Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers not only your underlying medical condition but also the effects of necessary treatments and their impact on your ability to work. If the medication required for your condition causes side effects that impair your ability to focus, interact, or physically perform tasks, this may form the basis for a claim.

To qualify for SSD benefits due to medication side effects, it is essential to demonstrate the following:

The medication and side effects are a necessary and documented part of your treatment: This means showing that your doctor prescribed the medication as a medically necessary part of your treatment.

The side effects significantly impair your ability to perform work-related tasks: Evidence should demonstrate how the side effects affect your ability to concentrate, stay alert, interact appropriately, or manage physical tasks.

The side effects are likely to persist: SSD benefits are typically reserved for conditions lasting at least a year or expected to result in death. Temporary side effects might not qualify unless they are part of an ongoing or chronic condition.

Medical documentation: Comprehensive documentation from medical professionals is critical, including notes, test results, and doctor’s statements detailing how the side effects are impacting your daily life and work.

Shipon Law Associates can assist in compiling, organizing, and presenting the necessary evidence to strengthen your claim for disability benefits.

10 Medications Known to Cause Severe Side Effects

Some medications, particularly those for chronic or life-threatening conditions, are known to cause side effects that can impact your ability to function normally. Here is a list of 10 medications that often produce severe side effects:

Chemotherapy Drugs (e.g., Doxorubicin, Cisplatin): Used to treat cancer, these drugs can cause extreme fatigue, nausea, cognitive impairments (often called “chemo brain”), and neuropathy.

Interferon: Commonly used in the treatment of hepatitis and multiple sclerosis, interferon can cause depression, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and insomnia, making it challenging to maintain work activities.

Methotrexate: Used for cancer and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate can lead to fatigue, nausea, liver toxicity, and bone marrow suppression, impacting energy levels and immune function.

Antipsychotics (e.g., Clozapine, Olanzapine): While effective for mental health conditions, these medications often cause drowsiness, weight gain, and metabolic issues that affect daily functioning.

Opioids (e.g., Oxycodone, Morphine): Used for pain management, opioids can lead to drowsiness, cognitive impairment, and physical dependence, making it unsafe or difficult to perform daily tasks.

Corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone): Long-term use of corticosteroids can cause mood swings, weight gain, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure, which may limit physical activities and lead to cognitive side effects.

Beta-Blockers (e.g., Propranolol): Prescribed for heart issues, beta-blockers can cause fatigue, depression, and shortness of breath, limiting physical stamina and mental alertness.

Anticonvulsants (e.g., Topiramate): Used for seizures and migraines, anticonvulsants can cause cognitive impairment, dizziness, and fatigue, impacting concentration and memory.

Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs like Fluoxetine): Though helpful for mood disorders, some antidepressants cause drowsiness, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction, which can lead to social and functional limitations.

Immunosuppressants (e.g., Tacrolimus, Cyclosporine): Necessary for patients who have received organ transplants, these drugs can cause susceptibility to infections, fatigue, and digestive issues, complicating work life.

Steps to Take if Medication Side Effects Are Affecting Your Work

If you believe you qualify for SSD benefits due to medication side effects, Shipon Law Associates is here to help. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through each step of the process, including gathering medical records, working with doctors to create strong evidence, and representing you throughout the application or appeal process.

Visit UnableToWork.com to Get Started

Applying for SSD benefits can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Visit UnableToWork.com to learn more and connect with a legal professional who can help ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. Severe medication side effects should not prevent you from obtaining the support you need for a better quality of life.

Introduction:

In the wake of a serious accident, the repercussions can extend far beyond physical injuries. Navigating the aftermath involves not only pursuing personal injury claims but also considering additional avenues such as Social Security Disability benefits and Long-Term Disability insurance. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the importance of these benefits, supported by the legal expertise of Shipon Law Associates and its affiliated firms. Additionally, we’ll explore some common medical conditions individuals may sustain after an accident, highlighting the necessity of comprehensive financial support.

Understanding Long-Term Disability Insurance:

Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance offers income replacement benefits to individuals unable to work due to a qualifying disability. When coupled with Social Security Disability benefits, it provides a robust financial safety net tailored to the individual’s needs.

Why Consider Long-Term Disability Insurance Alongside Social Security Disability Benefits?

1. Enhanced Financial Security: LTD insurance supplements SSDI benefits, ensuring adequate income to cover living expenses and maintain the individual’s standard of living.

2. Expedited Assistance: LTD insurance typically provides benefits more quickly than SSDI, offering immediate financial aid during the onset of disability.

3. Tailored Coverage: Various LTD insurance policies offer different coverage limits, benefit periods, and eligibility criteria, allowing individuals to customize their coverage for maximum protection.

Navigating the Application Process:

Applying for SSDI and LTD insurance demands meticulous documentation and a comprehensive understanding of disability law. Legal guidance from Shipon Law Associates and its affiliated firms streamlines the process, increasing the likelihood of a successful claim.

Common Medical Conditions After an Accident:

– Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Resulting from severe blows to the head, TBIs can lead to cognitive impairments, memory loss, and neurological deficits.

– Spinal Cord Injury: Damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and mobility limitations.

– Orthopedic Injuries: Fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

– Chronic Pain Conditions: Conditions such as fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome can develop following trauma, causing persistent pain and functional impairment.

– Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Emotional trauma from the accident can manifest as PTSD, leading to anxiety, depression, and flashbacks.

Conclusion:

In the aftermath of an accident, securing financial stability through SSDI and LTD insurance is essential. By combining these benefits, individuals ensure resources for living expenses, medical costs, and other obligations during their recovery. Shipon Law Associates and its affiliated firms offer expertise in both personal injury and disability law, guiding clients through the complexities and maximizing their compensation. Don’t hesitate to seek their assistance in safeguarding your financial future after an injury.

An auto manufacturer must design and manufacture its product with the understanding that auto accidents occur, and that the vehicle must be safe after the initial collision, so as to prevent catastrophic injuries. “Crashworthiness” is the usual term relating to the protection that a vehicle provides to the driver and the passengers in a car accident. 

Rollovers/Roof Crush Injuries

Auto defects in SUVs and 15-passenger vans make them prone to dangerous rollovers due to their high centers of gravity and narrow wheel bases. If there is a defect in the frame of the roof, it prevents the vehicle from being strong enough to withstand the weight of the vehicle causing it to collapse and severely injure occupants.

Child Safety Seat Failure

Defects such as inappropriate belt geometry, insufficient padding, flammable materials, & incomprehensible installation instructions, can cause total safety seat failure as well as contribute to catastrophic head, neck & chest injuries to children.

Tire Failures/Incorrect Tire Placement

Tires with belts that are misaligned during the building process can cause the tires to fail (delaminate or “detread”) years before the tire is taken out of service. Tires that are older than 7 years are prone to detread and neither tire nor auto manufacturers warn about this danger. Also when two tires are replaced on a vehicle, it is important to place the newest tires in the rear of the vehicle. Vehicles with new front tires and worn rear tires are more likely to hydroplane on wet roadways.

Defective Airbags 

Defects in the electronic control unit that deploys the airbag can cause the airbag to fail to deploy or deploy late resulting in a failure to shield the occupant from injuries. Additionally, some defects can cause the airbag to deploy with so much force that the airbag itself inflicts catastrophic injuries. 

Seatback Failure 

When involved in a rear collision, the seat provides the primary restraint. Defects in the design of seats in modern vehicles can cause them to collapse during rear collisions when the striking vehicle is travelling more than 25 mph. Drivers and passengers can be paralyzed and children in the back seat can be killed. 

Seat Belt Failure 

Defective seat belts can fail to properly restrain occupants or cause additional injuries in auto accidents. Common defects include: lap- belt-only design, weak belts, non-locking harnesses, and malfunctioning latches, retractors, & anchors. 

Defective Ignition Switches in GM Vehicles

A defect in ignition switches can cause the vehicle to uncontrollably switch to “accessory” mode which shuts down the engine and causes the vehicle to lose power, even when driving. This loss of power also results in the airbag not deploying and has been linked to serious accidents and several deaths. 

*See our list online of vehicles named in the recall. 

Latch Failures 

Any time a door or liftgate opens during a crash, there is a heightened risk of an occupant being ejected and catastrophically injured. This can be the result of a defect in the latching mechanism.

Fuel System Fires 

The fuel system of vehicles must be manufactured in a way that they can withstand a serious accident and not have fuel leak and cause a serious and uncontrollable fire, burning and killing accident victims. 

Traumatic Brain/Head Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIS) result from a severe blow to the head or penetration of the skull that permanently disrupts brain function. Victims may be unable to move, eat, speak or even breathe without assistance. Therefore, a brain injury often requires ongoing therapy and other treatments, as well as specialized living assistance. Any accident that causes head trauma or skull fracture may result in a traumatic brain injury. 

Birth Injuries/Cerebral Palsy

Common birth injuries like cerebral palsy are almost always entirely preventable with proper monitoring and medical care during birth. These injuries usually result when doctors, nurses or other medical staff are negligent in providing care. Birth injuries are particularly tragic because they seriously impact the rest of the child’s life. 

Traumatic Amputation or Loss of Limb

Traumatic amputations occur when an object impacts or pinches a limb with enough force to sever it partially or completely. Products might be poorly designed without adequate safety considerations built in or fail to operate properly, causing an amputation injury. Sometimes injuries such as: crush injuries, burn injuries, or lacerations are so severe that amputation becomes necessary 

Spinal Cord Injuries 

Spinal cord injuries result from direct trauma to the spine. An impact of sufficient force can cause the vertebrae of the spine to fracture or become dislocated. When this happens, the nerves of the spinal cord, which are essential to movement of the limbs, can sustain damage. Complete spinal cord injury results in a total loss of motor function below the site of the damage. Incomplete spinal cord injury, on the other hand, results in limited movement and sensation below the injury site.

Wrongful Death 

“Wrongful death” is any fatality that results from another person’s negligence, wrongful act or illegal violence. When someone dies due to the legal fault of another person, a private company, manufacturer or government agency, the victim’s survivors may be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party or parties. 

Severe Burn Injuries 

Burn injury victims may require multiple surgeries, skin grafts and other painful and costly burn injury treatments. Burn injuries can also have lasting effects such as disfiguring scars and bring more prone to infections. The most catastrophic of all burn injuries are third degree burns because they cause damage to the muscle tissue perves and possibly even hone.

Fighting for Justice and Support: Birth Injuries, Disability Benefits, and Medical Malpractice

At Shipon Law Associates, we understand the immense challenges families face when their child experiences birth injuries. Whether it’s cerebral palsy, Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), neonatal brain injury, brachial plexus injuries, intracranial hemorrhage, or related conditions, we are here to provide legal guidance and support throughout the entire process.

Securing Social Security Benefits

Birth injuries can profoundly impact a child’s life, requiring substantial care and resources. We recognize the importance of accessing Social Security disability benefits, which can be a lifeline for families. Our experienced legal team will stand strong with you, advocating for your child’s rights, and navigating the complexities of the application process.

Sometimes, when a child has a birth-related injury that makes them eligible for disability benefits, there may also be a claim for a medical malpractice case stemming from a medical mistake made during birth. Rest assured, both Shipon Law Associates and our associated firms have the expertise to handle both aspects of your case.

Medical Malpractice Settlements

Our network of dedicated medical malpractice attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to build a strong case for your child.

Our approach ensures that your child’s future needs, medical care, rehabilitation, and other essential resources are adequately addressed.

Take the First Step Towards Justice

📞Contact us at 215-708-1234 to schedule your free consultation. There is never a fee until we win your case.