My Civil Advocate

Auto accident injuries are wide-ranging, but some are more common than others. They can be influenced by seatbelt usage (or lack thereof), airbags, the direction the impact came from, the speed of impact, or the position of the occupant's body when the impact occurred (facing straight ahead or turned). Soft tissue injuries - those involving ligaments, muscle, or tendons - are most common car accident injuries. Whiplash is a noticeable one. Muscles and ligaments of the neck and shoulders are unnaturally stretched to due to sudden, high-energy movements caused by impact. These forces are responsible for many back injuries as well, including serious ones involving the spine. Scrapes and laceration can result through contact with something solid inside the car; loose, flying objects, such as a cell phone, eyeglasses, or a bag of groceries; or getting smacked in the face by an airbag. A blow to the head can cause a concussion, as the brain is slammed against the interior of the skull...

Peripheral nerves carry messages from the spinal cord and brain to the rest of the body, and vice versa. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when these nerves are damaged. Diabetes is a major cause of peripheral neuropathy. Other culprits include metabolic disorders, toxins, certain medications, and autoimmune diseases, to name a few. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can range from muscle weakness, balance issues, and diminished coordination to numbness or tingling in the extremities, loss of sensation, and a burning-type feeling, among others. THe end result of these symptoms may be chronic pain and/or walking, standing, and controlling muscle movements. In addition, some people who have lost sensation may unknowingly experience injuries, which can lead to infection and amputation. For some, trying to work while dealing with peripheral neuropathy may be an extreme challenge or outright impossibility. The Social Security Administration lists peripheral neuropathy in its "blue book...