Injured Firefighter Fights Battle for Social Security Disability Benefits
For many first responders across the United States, the line between duty and injury can sometimes be razor-thin. Indeed, when a firefighter sustains a career-ending injury, the road to recovery can, unfortunately, be long and fraught with bureaucratic hurdles. Such is the case for Christopher Patterson, a retired Knoxville, Tennessee firefighter who suffered severe spinal injuries while rescuing a woman from a house fire in December 2022. Despite his dedication and sacrifice, Patterson has faced significant challenges in obtaining timely Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. His experience underscores the complexities many injured workers face when seeking the Social Security Disability benefits they rightfully deserve.
According to WATE News, reporting on Patterson’s SSD fight, the injured firefighter has been battling the Social Security Administration to obtain benefits for the last 1.5 years. He medically retired from firefighting after the injury he sustained in 2022, while in the line of duty. The injuries Patterson sustained were brutal, as he explains, “I had my driver bring a ladder over. I was able to get her out. When she came out, we came off the ladder. I hit the ground, and immediately I broke my back. I could hear a big explosion in my body.” Patterson was rushed to the hospital, and although he survived, his spinal cord was significantly injured. Of the injury, he noted, “I have a spinal cord stimulator to help with the pain. But I’m very limited as to what I can do.” Despite these limitations, Patterson has not had any luck obtaining important SSD benefits to assist him financially. The injured firefighter said, “I’ve done what I’m supposed to do; I applied for Social Security Disability. I’ve not been denied once, not twice, but three times.” In those cases the Social Security Administration provided the following conclusion to Patterson: “…while you are not capable of performing work you have done in the past, you are able to perform work that is less demanding. We have determined that your condition is not severe enough to keep you from working.” This is disappointing news for the veteran firefighter. Patterson told reporters, “I gave 29 years of my life being a firefighter, 20 in Knoxville…Now, I am asking the federal government to do the same thing. I was recognized by the governor of the state, yet I can’t get the federal government to recognize my injury.” Patterson’s fight is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if he will be approved for SSD benefits. He has a hearing scheduled with an administrative law judge in 2026.
Getting Legal Help with Your Social Security Disability Case
There is no question that for the vast majority of Social Security Disability applicants, the application process is challenging, and many disabled individuals are denied when they first apply. Working with an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can increase your chances of getting important SSD benefits due to you. An experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can represent you before the Social Security Administration and fight for your rights to your SSD benefits.
If you need help getting SSD benefits, contact the experienced Social Security Disability lawyers at Nationwide Disability Law. Contact Nationwide Disability Law today and speak with a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
wate.com/investigations/retired-knoxville-firefighter-battling-for-social-security-disability-benefits-after-career-ending-injury/
