What Are The Top 10 Disabilities?
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 28.7% of all adults in the United States have some type of disability. These disabilities encompass a broad spectrum of conditions, each with its own unique symptoms and challenges.
Learn what the top 10 disabilities in the U.S. are (according to Social Security benefits data) and what to do if you believe that someone else’s negligence may have caused one of these conditions for you or a family member, according to Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, personal injury lawyers in Huntsville, Alabama.
1. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders
These disorders commonly affect elements of the musculoskeletal system. Examples include osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and muscular dystrophy. Many of these conditions cause stiffness, swelling, chronic pain, and difficulty moving.
2. Neoplasms
These abnormal tissue growths are caused by cells that don’t die when they should or divide more than they should. The symptoms depend on the location of the tumor but can generally include lumps under the skin, weight loss, night sweats, shortness of breath, fatigue, and diarrhea.
3. Circulatory System Disabilities
These disabilities affect the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body. They can include conditions like heart failure, angina, or aortic aneurysm. Symptoms may include chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, edema, and heart palpitations.
4. Nervous System and Sense Organs
These encompass a wide range of conditions, such as epilepsy, Bell’s and cerebral palsy, and meningitis. Some, like spinal cord issues, are caused by trauma-related catastrophic injuries, while others are genetic. These conditions can cause movement and coordination issues, numbness and tingling, and even memory loss.
5. Depressive, Bipolar, and Related Mood Disorders
Mood disorders can have many different sources, such as chemical imbalances or traumatic life events (like an assault or car accident). Symptoms can include extreme mood swings, irritability, difficulty concentrating, suicidal thoughts, and risky decision-making.
6. Neurocognitive Disorders
These disorders cause decreased mental function. The neurocognitive decline is caused by a physical disability, such as Lewy Body disease, a cardiac infection, or even thyroid disease. These disorders cause confusion, communication difficulties, behavior and mood changes, and other major symptoms.
7. Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic disorders are severe forms of mental illness that make it hard to tell fantasy from reality. Sufferers may experience delusions, hallucinations, and illogical thoughts. They may also withdraw socially, neglect personal hygiene, and have trouble communicating their thoughts and feelings to others.
8. Intellectual Disorders
Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are just a few of the disabilities classified as intellectual disorders. These disorders primarily affect cognitive functioning and adaptive behaviors, causing behavioral, speech, and movement challenges.
9. Autism Spectrum Disorders
Though there are many different causes and types of autism, this disorder usually leads to a wide range of difficulties with human interaction, learning, and attention. Some people with autism can communicate verbally, while others are non-speaking.
10. Other Impairments
According to the Social Security Administration, this category includes disabilities that don’t fall into any of these other categories. This may include diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome, which can cause extreme fatigue, dizziness, and sensitivity to light. It can also include congenital, digestive, speech, and other types of disorders, especially if they have debilitating symptoms.
Do You Have A Disability Caused By Someone Else’s Negligence?
Dealing with a disability caused by someone else’s negligence can be devastating. However, it may be possible for you to hold the other party responsible for breaching their duty of care.
Whether the disability was caused by medical malpractice, a car accident, a dog bite, or another form of negligence, an attorney will thoroughly investigate to determine who is at fault. They’ll also help you present your case in a clear and compelling manner.
By working with an attorney, you’ll increase your chances of being able to get compensation so you can pay your medical bills, make up for lost wages, and ease the pain and suffering you endure every day.
Contact the Alabama Personal Injury Attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers. Call us at (205) 206-5088
Contact an experienced Personal Injury lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We serve Shelby County, Madison County, Montgomery County in Alabama, and its surrounding areas.
We are located in Birmingham, Huntsville & Montgomery.
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Birmingham Office
880 Montclair Road, Ste 300,
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 206-5088
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Huntsville Office
116 Jefferson St. Suite 209
Hunstville, AL, 35801
(256) 666-4660
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Montgomery Office
7 Clayton St, Suite 200,
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 513-2110