Meningitis is a serious illness. It comes with symptoms that often occur rapidly and intensify quickly. Some forms of meningitis will go away with time and over-the-counter treatment. Others require immediate medical attention and antibiotics. Bacterial meningitis, if left untreated, can be fatal if not treated on time.
What Is Meningitis?
The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by fluid and a layer of membranes called the meninges. The meninges and fluid can become inflamed due to infection. This can be brought on by either bacteria or viruses.
Symptoms of Meningitis
Symptoms of meningitis usually happen quickly and can feel like flu symptoms. Within hours, symptoms may intensify. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
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High fever
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Stiff, sore neck
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Bad headache
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Nausea and/or vomiting
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Feeling confused or having trouble concentrating
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Seizures
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Feeling sleepy
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Trouble walking
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Sensitivity to light
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Loss of appetite
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No desire to drink water or any other fluid
In some cases, patients may develop a rash. This is typically only common with meningococcal meningitis. Although symptoms are severe initially, they usually become worse within hours.
How Meningitis Can Impact Your Ability to Work
If you contract meningitis, you won’t be able to work while you are sick. The meningitis virus usually doesn’t last longer than two weeks. However, the prolonged effects of meningitis can render you unable to do your job. Chronic meningitis can last as long as four weeks.
Long-term effects of meningitis can include brain damage and deafness. You can also suffer from depression and difficulty with short-term memory. These symptoms may make it impossible for you to do your job efficiently. Your recovery may take several weeks, and in some cases, you may not recover completely.
Can You Get Social Security Disability for Meningitis?
If you have meningitis, you may qualify for Social Security benefits. It can be difficult to obtain these benefits. The easiest way to file a Social Security disability claim is to have a qualified attorney help you.
The SSA’s Disability Criteria for Meningitis Claims
The SSA Blue Book Listing of Impairments lists conditions that qualify for benefits. The following are true for if you have meningitis:
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Your illness is resistant to treatment.
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Your illness requires you to stay in the hospital.
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You receive intravenous treatment for meningitis at least three times within 12 months.
Most of the time, people with meningitis do not meet these qualifications. If you do not meet these criteria but still find yourself unable to work, there is a second way you may be able to qualify. If you can prove that your illness makes you unable to work, you may be able to receive benefits.
You may also be able to get benefits if you were misdiagnosed. This is especially true if you did not receive proper and timely treatment. To prove these claims, you will need medical evidence.
Medical Evidence You Need for a Meningitis Claim
If you contract meningitis, be sure to keep all medical records, should you need to file a claim for benefits. You’ll need to provide:
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Medical records, which should include your diagnosis and treatments. These include hospital stays, medications, and doctors’ recommendations.
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Proof of how you have been harmed (for negligence claims). This would include a misdiagnosis that proves you did not receive proper treatment.
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Proof of harm. In negligence cases, you’ll need to prove the provider misdiagnosed you. This then caused you to sustain injuries, such as an illness that went untreated.
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Letter of complaint. If you have a negligence claim, you’ll need a formal letter of complaint. This is sent to the medical professional or facility that misdiagnosed you.
It can be difficult to gather this information and make sure you are filing claims correctly. This is especially true if you are still sick or suffering from the long-term effects of your illness. An experienced SSD attorney can help alleviate this stress by handling the claim for you.
Common Reasons SSD Claims Are Denied
Social Security Disability claims may be denied. If they are, you have the right to an appeal. A qualified attorney can help you understand why your claim was denied and help you with an appeal. Common reasons claims are denied include:
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Clerical errors
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Missed filing deadlines
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You do not meet the qualifications for your claim
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You make too much money
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You do not communicate with or cooperate with the Social Security Disability office
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You refuse to follow their prescribed medical treatment
If you feel you have been improperly denied, contact our office to discuss an appeal and how we can help.
Why You Need a Disability Lawyer for a Meningitis Claim
It can be difficult to prove you qualify for a meningitis claim. Hiring an experienced attorney can help. At Pond Lehocky Disability, we aim to help you file a claim and maximize your settlement. We handle every detail from start to finish.
If you’ve been denied or need assistance with an SSD appeal or hearing, we are available to represent you. Our attorneys have years of experience helping people move forward with their lives.
Talk to an SSD Lawyer for Help with Your Meningitis Claim
If you are suffering from chronic meningitis or were misdiagnosed, we can help. Contact us for a full case review to learn how we can help. No matter what stage of the claims process you are in, we are available to help you. We can take the burden of the claims process from you so you can focus on getting well.
