Prosthetic limb technology has improved significantly over the years. There are now limbs that can be controlled with impulses from your brain. They’re very similar to biological limbs, providing an incredible amount of dexterity and strength.
However, the event that leads to the use of a prosthetic limb is something that could cause a disability otherwise. Maybe you lost an arm in a workplace accident or a car accident, for example. You know that you wouldn’t be able to do your job if you didn’t have the prosthetic — so you would seek disability benefits. But would you still qualify for these disability benefits if you do have the prosthetic limb?
It all depends on whether or not you can work
Cases like this can get very complicated, and that’s why the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers each one on an individual basis. It really depends on whether or not the person with the prosthetic limb can still work to the degree that they could before.
In some cases, a prosthetic may give someone basic mobility and a higher level of functionality around the house, but it still doesn’t mean that they can do a demanding physical job. Maybe it causes them pain or they still lack the fine motor skills to carry it out. If they cannot work, even though they have the prosthetic, it could still qualify as a disability.
Additionally, the prosthetic limb may allow someone to do certain jobs, but never to reach the earning levels that they expected in their career. This can lead to questions about lost earning potential and lost future wages. Again, though, every situation is unique.
Exploring your options
Medical technology is getting better every day, but that doesn’t mean that it can solve everything. Those who are facing severe complications after serious injuries need to be sure they know about all of the legal options they have.