The Occupational Safety and Health Administration notes that unguarded machines could cause severe workplace accidents. Operating inadequately safeguarded equipment may lead to debilitating injuries that could result in amputations.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that machinery caused more than half of the on-the-job injuries that resulted in amputations in 2018. Employees incurring injuries involving amputations during that year needed to take off a median amount of recovery time of about one month.
Amputees who can no longer work may qualify for SSDI benefits
A work-related amputation could result in an individual becoming permanently disabled. Some workers may never regain the ability to continue performing their jobs. The Social Security Administration considers an amputation as a qualifying impairment. Regardless of its cause, an amputation could result in the injured worker receiving benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance Program.
An individual may receive SSDI benefits even if he or she feels healthy. SSDI recipients may live without symptoms of a serious condition. The loss of a limb, however, could prevent them from returning to work. An individual with an impairment expected to prevent a return to work for at least 12 months may qualify for SSDI.
An amputation may qualify for a fast-track decision
The AARP reports that the SSA may consider an amputation as a severe enough physical condition to qualify for a fast-track decision. Qualifying individuals may be eligible for the SSA’s Compassionate Allowance Program. The program could fast-track an application and reduce the approval process to days instead of months.
SSDI applications generally take several months to generate a response. Applicants may help bring about a smoother process by first gathering all their medical records. Individuals could also use their workplace accident reports, job history and diagnoses to support their claims.
