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Fort Lauderdale Workers' Compensation Lawyer > Blog > Uncategorized > Florida Parkinson’s Patients Eligible For Social Security Benefits

Florida Parkinson’s Patients Eligible For Social Security Benefits

Florida residents diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease experience tremors, shaking, and difficulty moving and walking.

One of the brain’s major functions is to produce a chemical called dopamine, which is responsible for controlling the body’s movements. When the nerve cells which produce dopamine are destroyed, the brain is disabled from sending the messages which are supposed to provide muscles with smooth movements.

Living with Parkinson’s disease can feel devastating. That’s because the symptoms are likely to affect necessary day-to-day functioning. Although the symptoms develop at a snail-like pace, appearing mild at first, they can quickly turn to a rapid pace.

Parkinson’s Symptoms

  • Tremors – shaking fingers and hands
  • Slowing Down – difficult to initiate taking steps
  • Posture Changes – may appear as stooping and hard to balance
  • Speech Changes – slower, repeating, slurring,  or stuttering
  • Mental Clarity – memory issues, also maybe blinking eyes
  • Rigid Muscles – stiffness or pain, often resulting in no longer swinging one arm while walking

Treatment for Parkinson’s

There is no cure for Parkinson’s. Once someone is diagnosed, it is vital to find the best medical treatment available in order to make your lifestyle as comfortable as possible. At the beginning stages of treating this condition, Florida patients do report a remarkable increase in their symptoms with the help of lifestyle changes and medication. However, while most people respond well to medication at first, the symptoms are known to worsen, often leaving patients with an inability to live the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to.

Parkinson’s and Social Security

If an individual has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, they are likely eligible for Social Security disability benefits. In order to receive benefits, you will need to provide evidence of the following:

1. Rigid muscles, slow movement, or tremors in two extremities (arms or legs)
2. Inability to walk at a normal pace or difficulty moving arms, legs, and fingers, over an extended period of time.

To successfully qualify for Social Security disability benefits with Parkinson’s disease, it is essential to show detailed medical reports over the course of diagnosis and treatment. The SSDI will also require results of neuro-imaging tests which confirm the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. Lastly, you will be asked to provide examples of how Parkinson’s is interfering with your ability to function.

Medical Vocational Benefits

If you don’t meet the above criteria, you may still be eligible to qualify for Medical-Vocational benefits. After carefully reviewing your medical records and current capacity to return to previous related work loads, the SSA may likely award partial benefits, especially if you are over age 50.

It is important to hire a South Florida disability attorney that knows how to navigate you through a successful claim for Social Security benefits for Parkinson’s disease. You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and living expenses as a result of this disabling condition.

Contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld for a free legal consultation to determine if you have a case. Call 954-677-0155.

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