Arthritis can lead to significant pain and the loss of mobility. No matter what industry you work in, that’s nothing you want to take lightly. It can make it nearly impossible to do your job.
It’s also very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one out of three workers — or 33% — claim that they have arthritis that is bad enough that it impacts their ability to work.
It’s not just arthritis that plays a role. Many people suffer from chronic back pain and have bad backs that may never fully heal. Others have cracked or broken bones that continue to cause them problems and refuse to fully mend. Still others feel pain when moving due to worn down hips.
All three of those issues are common reasons that people claim to be disabled, said one expert who used to be the chairman for a nonprofit organization called the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE).
A big part of the issue here is that pain like this doesn’t go away. Even with medication, you may deal with it for the rest of your life. It may only get worse. Every case is different, but healing does not always happen, even when you get plenty of rest and do everything in your power to overcome it.
That’s why it so often leads to disability cases. You can’t work without pain. If you find yourself in this unfortunate position, it’s critical that you understand all of the legal options that you have in Minnesota.
