How to Navigate the Life-Changing Circumstances of a Permanent Disability

As you might imagine, becoming permanently disabled is very challenging. Not only does disability dramatically impact accident victims’ daily lives, it can contribute to a loss of income, and it may also result in other unpredictable long-term effects on their emotional and physical well-being.

As dedicated personal injury lawyers, we work day-in and day-out to help clients deal with these types of life-altering issues. And while our legal efforts are largely aimed toward helping clients receive financial compensation for their injuries so they can have all the resources necessary to recover and resume their pre-accident lives, we realize that not everyone will be able to achieve that goal. Some people, for example, experience injuries so severe that they become permanently disabled – and are never again able to resume their former employment, play with their children or grandchildren, or enjoy life as they did before they were hurt through no fault of their own. The pain and suffering resulting from those losses is incalculable. While we can’t offer relief from that kind of long-term devastation, this article does offer information and guidance to help people in such circumstances live their best possible lives despite the challenges they will certainly face in both the immediate future and over the long haul.

Disability Resources from State and Federal Agencies

The State of Michigan offers a variety of aid for disabled citizens, including State Disability Assistance (SDA) that provides cash to eligible disabled adults. In addition, senior citizens and caretakers of disabled individuals may also be eligible for SDA benefits. Specifically, you can check MI Bridges for details on available cash assistance for people who are age 65 or older, or are permanently or temporarily disabled, or are caring for a household member with a disability. You may also qualify for cash if you’re personally receiving disability benefits and have a minor child in your household.

While having a permanent disability might preclude you from seeking gainful employment, some disabled individuals are able to take advantage of Michigan Rehabilitation Services, which “provides vocational rehabilitation services for eligible individuals with disabilities, consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.”

The Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP) is a locally administered federally-funded program which attempts to help disabled people by connecting them with suitable assistive technology tools – meaning specialized equipment, software, and related items – that can help them accomplish whatever they wish to achieve. MATP’s services are typically available at no cost to disabled individuals.

Don’t forget, too, that if your doctor or another professional healthcare provider certifies you as disabled, you can get a special Michigan license plate that entitles you to preferred parking spots just about anywhere you go across the state.

In addition to these worthwhile state-run programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments are available to many qualified individuals. But you should know up front that this benefit can be difficult to obtain, and it has a lengthy waiting period before becoming active. Furthermore, there are many pitfalls that often discourage eligible individuals even from applying. To help you navigate this complicated system, we’ve put together a series of articles covering everything from the steps required to submit an SSDI application, to navigating the approval process, even how to maximize your chances for receiving these benefits, and what to do if your application is denied (which is highly likely for many first-time applicants). You can find all of these helpful articles together in one place here.

Beyond SSDI benefits, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also provides protections and services for people with a variety of disabilities – both temporary and permanent. Related Federal websites include an umbrella page listing numerous programs for the disabled, along with a handy Benefit Finder tool that can help disabled people determine which benefits they may be qualified to receive.

Disability Resources from Private Organizations

These state and federal programs are certainly worthwhile, but you’ll be happy to know there are numerous non-profit groups statewide that also work on behalf of people experiencing disabilities. For example, the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition offers a variety of services for disabled Michiganders, with special emphasis on helping “individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to live fulfilling lives within their communities.”

The Judson Center in Farmington Hills provides services for people experiencing a wide range of disabilities, including assistance with personal mobility and life skills for disabled individuals. The Disability Network Wayne County Detroit offers services including “advocacy, independent living skills, information and referrals, transition, and peer counseling.” Additional Disability Network programs include assistive technology, nursing home transition, ADA technical assistance, housing referrals, and more.

The Disability Network Southwest Michigan is a non-profit organization providing disabled people with employment support, referrals to state vocational services, and counseling for individuals who are receiving disability benefits.

Another non-profit, Disability Rights Michigan, advocates for the legal rights of individuals with disabilities and provides resources to help them navigate employment challenges. Among other services, DRM provides a resource library covering topics ranging from Social Security disability concerns to transportation for disabled individuals, plus help with many more relevant areas of concern.

Legal Resources for Disabled Michiganders

Despite laws safeguarding the rights of permanently disabled accident victims, it’s no secret that disabled Michiganders often face issues that require the assistance of lawyers familiar with their daily challenges. And people who have been so severely injured in car accidents that they’re considered permanently disabled often find that their auto insurance companies – which they quite reasonably expected would provide them with the no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits to which they’re entitled, such as payment for up to three years of lost wages – are reluctant to follow through with their promises. As Michigan’s largest personal injury law firm, we are well equipped to help you through a variety of tough circumstances along those lines. Give us a call at 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) and we’ll be happy to offer you our informed opinion on any steps needed to ensure that your rights to disability insurance coverage, payment for lost wages, and related benefits are protected. There’s never a charge for our help, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.