Expert: James Saylor Date: 7/20/2008 Subject: Possible Future Disability Issue
Question Hi James,
I was sitting in a computer chair about two weeks ago, and after getting up I had a burning pain from inside my right buttock to down and over the top of my right leg down to just above the knee. I was given Flexeril,(muscle relaxer), by my physician but it hasn't seemed to help much more than Ibuprofen.
The pain comes and goes and I'm thinking about seeing a chiropractor for x-rays and possible adjustment on Monday.
I am an over the road truck driver and I fear this may soon or eventually keep me from driving. If this is a degenerative condition and my doctors think I should not drive as an occupation, is there any way I can draw disability through any government agencies such as Social Security? I don't have disability through my employer as of now.
Could you possibly give me any further advice or state agency names to contact regarding how I might draw some type of disability income in case I become unable to drive and need to retrain in a new occupation?
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Mike E.
Answer Okay the injury is classic of lower back problems or nerve damage in the l-5 or s-1 region. Now as for the injury you should still be covered by Work Comp. But aside from that, you can try for Social security however your doctor will have to agree that you can no longer work. The SSDI is about total disability and most times you can still be employed so you are denied. I also am a truck driver and have fought this type of pain and have been told the same by the doctors I have seen, however they will not tell you that you cant drive just say you should not. So I'm sorry but I do not know of any body that will help other the rehab in your state for training in another career.
