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Disability can be divided into temporary and permanent, partial and total. For instance, you may be entitled to receive compensation in a personal injury case if you exhibit temporary total disability while recovering, or permanent partial disability for a chronic condition.

An objective measure of disability involves range of motion and strength tests. Naturally each side of a lawsuit is entitled to a separate medical opinion, but restrictions on activity, pursuit of employment, and freedom from pain count into the decision as well.

Disability can be rated on a schedule. Workers compensation rates injuries on a "week" given a total of 400 weeks for permanent total disability. The Department of Veterans Affairs uses a percentage basis for each body part, and the Social Security Administration rates total disability as permanent, or temporary which requires monitoring of the condition and income levels.

Serious injuries require detailed documentation of the medical treatment, its affect, and the final prognosis. But even minor injuries can be permanent and cause limitations. Keeping notes of any suspected injury, and its progress, may be helpful in a civil court where the overall impact on your life is measured.

Those who are responsible for your injuries also have a responsibility to make you "whole" or to return you to the health you enjoyed before the accident. If that is not possible then compensation will be awarded by the court.

If you are seeking representation, you are encouraged to complete our Client Contact form, providing any details relevant to your case. This makes it easier to make an initial assessment and schedule the necessary time for a consultation. Thank You for considering the Sullivan Law Firm, and I hope we can be of assistance. Connie M. Sullivan