What Are the 4 Hidden Disabilities?
August 26, 2025 | Personal Injury
The U.S. Census Bureau defines disabilities rather broadly. The definition covers any injury or condition that interferes with an essential function, including vision, hearing, cognition, movement, self-care, and independent living.
Not all disabilities are as obvious as an amputation — some may be effectively hidden. Proving these disabilities to a jury or a workers’ compensation insurer can be challenging since they lack outward symptoms. However, these disabilities are just as eligible for compensation as visible injuries caused by the same circumstances.
4 Frequently Overlooked Disabilities
Before listing some common hidden disabilities, it’s worth noting that there is no authoritative list. In other words, many conditions don’t have visible injuries.
Cancer and heart disease, for example, are the two leading causes of death in the United States. Neither of these diseases produces visible wounds or symptoms. For the same reason, high blood pressure is often called “the silent killer.”
That said, the following four conditions align with the Census Bureau’s categories of disabilities, result from invisible causes, and may entitle the individual to seek financial compensation:
1. Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can come from many sources. However, one of the most common causes is soft tissue injury, which can affect tissues other than the bones or organs.
The following soft tissue injuries can lead to long-term disabilities:
- Torn or ruptured ligaments
- Worn or torn cartilage
- Herniated discs
These conditions produce inflammation, causing the swollen tissues to ache and press on other nearby tissues, such as nerves. Nerve compression can cause misfiring, leading to radiating pain, weakness, and loss of dexterity.
These symptoms may limit the individual’s ability to engage in activities at home or work. In fact, chronic back pain is a leading cause of missed workdays.
2. Mental Trauma
A traumatic event can change the way your brain works.
For example, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) happens when you experience an event so upsetting that your brain sharpens its sensitivity to protect you from a recurrence of the event. As a result, you may dwell on the trauma, experience flashbacks, and overreact to triggers that remind you of the event.
PTSD is a common reaction to serious physical injuries. Consequently, you might suffer both bodily harm and acute mental trauma after a severe car accident.
3. Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders arise when the immune system attacks the body’s healthy tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus are examples of autoimmune diseases.
These disorders have many potential causes, including genetics. Exposure to toxic chemicals can also trigger them. For example, heavy metals, dioxins, and solvents have been linked to autoimmune diseases. Allegations of toxin-induced autoimmune disorders have supported many product liability cases against chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
4. Neurological Damage
The nervous system controls the entire body. Part of its job is to carry sensory signals to the brain. When it malfunctions, you could suffer from paralysis, numbness, and weakness.
The brain is also part of the nervous system. A traumatic brain injury can therefore cause loss of vision, hearing, and mobility, along with impairing cognition, reasoning, and memory.
While these effects can start with a physical injury, they might not leave any visible scars. For example, quadriplegia can occur when an accident victim suffers a spinal cord injury in the neck. Similarly, a blow to the head could damage the brain, resulting in coma.
Contact the York Personal Injury Lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for Help Today
Hidden disabilities like PTSD, autoimmune disorders, and neurological damage can be just as life-changing as injuries that leave visible scars. If your condition is the result of an accident or negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our York personal injury attorneys have the experience and resources to fight for your rights and hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help protect your future.
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