John W. Redmann | September 19, 2025 | Personal Injury
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 29% of Americans have a disability. This number is significant because people with disabilities often have limitations on their ability to work. Moreover, they may need expensive health services and a caretaker to assist them with their daily activities.
Identifying the top ten disabilities is complicated because “disability” is defined differently in different contexts. For example, Social Security requires that it lasts at least a year or will lead to the person’s death. To qualify for long-term disability, applicants must often show chronic or recurring conditions or illnesses like autoimmune disorders, brain injuries, or arthritis.
Conversely, workers’ compensation insurance covers both short- and long-term disabilities. What qualifies for short-term disability under workers’ comp? Claimants may suffer from work-related illnesses and injuries ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome to cancer resulting from toxic exposure.
With these limitations in mind, the following medical conditions frequently appear on lists of common disabilities.
Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain is a leading cause of missed work days and workers’ compensation claims. Back pain can result from back injuries or the natural wear and tear of aging. For example, degenerative disc disease results from long-term stress on the discs between the vertebrae.
Blindness and Deafness
Hearing loss is a common occupational disease caused by loud noises and inadequate ear protection. It can also occur as a natural result of aging. Vision loss can also result from accidents or age-related degeneration.
Mental Illness
Mental illness includes the following conditions:
- Autism
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia or other psychosis
These diseases can affect mood, cognition, or sensation. For example, people with mental illness can experience visual or auditory hallucinations.
Musculoskeletal Disease
Musculoskeletal disease is the most common disability among recipients of Social Security disability benefits. These diseases include arthritis, osteoporosis, and some autoimmune disorders.
Musculoskeletal Injury
Musculoskeletal injuries result from trauma, such as falls or car accidents, instead of diseases. Common injuries include bone fractures, strains, and sprains. Musculoskeletal injuries differ from diseases in that they can sometimes heal on their own or with minimal treatment.
For example, a doctor can repair a severely fractured bone with plates and screws. Over time, the bone heals.
Neurological Disease or Injury
Neurological diseases and injuries affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The nervous system carries motor and sensory signals between the brain and body. When nerves malfunction, the patient may experience numbness, paralysis, and loss of sensation.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It can also disable patients. Congestive heart disease can limit a person’s activities. Moreover, people recovering from heart attacks or other heart failures may require hospitalization and caretakers because of limits on their strength and stamina.
Cancer
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death. The disabilities from cancer often depend on the type. For example, lung cancer will affect a patient’s breathing. Cancer patients may also suffer disabilities, such as fatigue and loss of appetite, due to the effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Cognitive Disorder
Cognitive disorders can result from brain diseases or catastrophic injuries. The symptoms of these disabilities can include difficulty thinking, speech disorders, and memory loss.
Obesity-Related Disability
Obesity strains the body. It can limit mobility by causing physical damage to joints. It can also affect the organs, causing medical conditions such as diabetes.
Contact Our Metairie Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The top disabilities, whether resulting from diseases or injuries, can significantly impact a person’s life and resources. Under some circumstances, compensation may be available to victims through Social Security, workers’ compensation, or lawsuits.
If you were injured in an accident in Metairie or Gretna, Louisiana, and need legal help, contact our personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC, to schedule a free case review today.
We serve Jefferson Parish County and Louisiana’s surrounding Areas
The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC – Metairie, LA Office
2901 N Causeway Blvd, STE 202, Metairie, LA, 70002
(504) 500-5000
The Law Office of John W. Redmann, LLC – Gretna, LA Office
1101 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA, 70053
(504) 384-8053
