A brain injury can have profound effects and limit your ability to do tasks and activities that you did before you were injured. Your ongoing medical care is essential to your health, well-being, and recovery, and having a plan in place can make a significant difference in your quality of life. At Munley Law, a Pennsylvania brain injury lawyer can provide guidance and support with life care planning for traumatic brain injury conditions. We fight to make sure you receive the necessary resources to recover.
There is no fee unless we win your case.
Why Life Care Planning is Essential for Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can occur in a variety of accidents where the brain sustains blunt force trauma or the skull is penetrated by a foreign object. These injuries can result in bleeding, swelling, pressure, and tearing of brain tissue. Depending on the location and severity of the brain injury, an individual’s condition could range from a concussion to a coma.
There are also several long-term effects of a brain injury that may include reduced motor skills, sleep problems, vision problems, memory problems, and difficulty walking, talking, and controlling movements. This is not an exhaustive list, and the changes in your health will depend on your particular condition. Careful treatment is essential to both recovery and managing your condition. As a traumatic brain injury victim, you may also require a variety of medications.
Because of the extensive care brain injuries require, a traumatic brain injury care plan is essential for assessing the full scope of your condition, what you will need, and how much it will cost. A brain injury lawyer will work with you and consult with medical experts while building your case so they can negotiate a settlement that will account for all expenses and losses.
Traumatic Brain Injuries Have a Considerable Impact On Your Life and the Future
A traumatic brain injury can make daily life very difficult with the many challenges it presents. They are often unpredictable and create several complications during recovery and daily life. Traumatic brain injuries can cause physical, cognitive, behavioral, sensory, neurological, and psychological impairments. Individuals may require specialized care, surgeries, extensive treatment, and a variety of rehabilitative therapies. Some individuals may even need training to learn new skills for daily tasks or employment.
As such, the financial burden and lifetime expense of a traumatic brain injury can be enormous. Initial treatment costs can quickly add up, but may pale next to ongoing care and long-term monitoring costs that may be required following your hospital stay. Supervision or assistance may be required indefinitely or permanently and whether family members oversee your care or in-home services are used, it can still result in a weighty expense.
For many individuals, the expense of managing a traumatic brain injury can be challenging and overwhelming. With the help of a legal professional and life care planner, though, you can be sure that you can get the care you need without having to deal with the financial stress while trying to recover.
The Importance of Life Care Planning After a Traumatic Brain Injury
The time it takes to recover from a traumatic brain injury can vary from person to person based on their circumstances and the care they require. Some patients recover in a matter of weeks or months, while others may suffer permanent effects throughout the rest of their lives. For individuals who fall into the latter category, clearly identifying all necessary medical care is critical. By developing a brain injury care plan in your case, you can make sure that all aspects of your care are accounted for and included.
A life care plan is intended to thoroughly assess your brain injury and develop a comprehensive plan that outlines the extent of your injury, your required medical care, current and projected medical expenses, and any costs related to vocational rehabilitation. This tool is used during negotiations and can also provide clarity for you as you move forward. To generate the report, your lawyer and a certified life care planner will investigate, analyze, and quantify the financial need created by your condition.
Medical experts who are qualified to help you with lifecare planning may include licensed medical physicians and specialists. Mental health professionals can also speak to the effects that a brain injury may have on you psychologically and emotionally, and what support you may require in these areas. Their evaluations are intended to lend credibility and strength to your case during a lawsuit and help you recover more compensation for all that you have lost.
Neuropsychological Testing Is a Helpful Resource When Developing a Brain Injury Life Care Plan
When it comes to developing a TBI care plan, your lawyer may enlist a neuropsychologist to conduct neuropsychological evaluations. This is done to obtain a clear understanding of how your brain is functioning and what skills it may or may not be capable of executing. This kind of evaluation will study your ability to read and communicate, to learn and focus, and how you can process information, remember details, use judgment, and solve problems. It will also evaluate your behavior and mood.
Through this information, an accurate diagnosis and prognosis can be issued. A neuropsychologist can also determine what treatment and accommodations you may need as you recover. Their recommendations can help you retain as much autonomy as possible and create a feasible plan to realize this outcome.
Life Care Planning Addresses Your Specific Needs
While a life care plan will outline your medical needs and expenses, it should also provide a breakdown of what that specifically looks like in your daily life. Your lawyer will make sure that a holistic view is taken of your circumstances so you can improve your well-being. Below is a closer look at some of the elements that should be included in your traumatic brain injury lifecare plan.
Equipment and Accommodations
A brain injury can impact your independence in a variety of ways. Adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and home and vehicle accommodations may be necessary to offset your condition and limitations and care for yourself. All applicable accommodations and equipment that you need should be outlined within your life care plan to make sure that your settlement covers these resources.
Therapy Treatments
Therapy is an important part of your recovery process. You will most likely need occupational therapy to help you regain your physical and cognitive skills. The length of your therapeutic treatments will depend on the severity of your injury and what skills need assistance. You may also have speech therapy needs if your brain injury affected your ability to speak or communicate.
Rehabilitations
Any form of rehabilitation should be included within your life care plan. Traumatic brain injuries are likely to require cognitive rehabilitation to improve brain function, memory, problem-solving, and more. These skills are important for completing daily tasks for yourself and retaining your independence. Vocational rehabilitation may also be required if your injury affected your ability to work. These are just a few of the factors that should be considered when drafting a life care plan.
Facilities and In-Home Care
Your condition may also require in-home care in the form of home-health aides, in-home nurses, and more. Family members may also need to help provide care when a medical professional is not present. However, they may need family caregiver training to make sure they can provide proper assistance. Depending on your condition, memory care facilities may also be necessary if your cognitive and memory function suffers dramatically and impedes your ability to care for yourself.
Legal Representation is Critical to Life Care Planning
Your lawyer will play a pivotal role in the creation of your life care plan and securing the compensation aligned with the plan’s financial projections. They will identify and connect you with the appropriate experts who can provide insight and evidence to strengthen your case. They, along with your lawyer, will develop a thorough lifecare plan that can help win your case and help your lawyer negotiate more effectively on your behalf.
Along with your life care plan, your lawyer will also help find all relevant resources that can provide you with support during this difficult time. An example of one such resource is the Pennsylvania Head Injury Program offered by the state. This program helps cover rehabilitation costs after a brain injury so individuals can live independently and have a better quality of life.
As your lawyer presents your brain injury life care plan in your case, they will safeguard your rights and provide compassionate support to make sure you are treated fairly.
Consult Munley Law About Lifecare Planning Today
Munley Law makes sure that you have a solid life care plan after a traumatic brain injury so you can recover a settlement that sufficiently covers your losses. We work diligently to help you determine the extent of your expenses and secure medical experts and life care planners to help you win your case. Our lawyers provide compassionate support while fighting for you and providing exceptional service. To begin developing your life care plan, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
