Snowboarding Knee Injury...

by Anonymous
(USA)

I went snowboarding and hurt my knee. The injury and treatment requires me to be on crutches until I get surgery. My employer said I cannot come back to work until I am off crutches.

Am I eligible for disability? Is there a way to get money to pay my bills in the mean time?

Disclaimer: Information provided in your response is not formal legal advice, it is generic legal information and is based on the very limited information given in your question. You should always get a formal case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

ANSWER for "Snowboarding Knee Injury...":

Anonymous (USA):

You are eligible for disability if you purchased private disability insurance prior to your injury. Otherwise you probably won't have access to state or federal disability.

State and federal disability payments are based on disabilities occurring either as a result of on the job injuries or some other serious and disabling accident or illness.

Regrettably, snowboarding doesn't qualify as a serious or disabling illness. You might speak with your employer and see if there is any manner in which you might be able to do some form of alternate work. At least enough so that you might be able to pay your medical bills.

Finally, if you have any close relatives who have medical insurance you might ask them if it is at all possible for you to benefit from the policies.

Other than the foregoing there isn't any other manner in which we think you might be able to receive temporary disability payments until such time as you are healed and able to return to work.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.

Best of luck,

Law Guy

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