What is a life care plan in a lawsuit? A life care plan is a comprehensive plan that details all relevant aspects of your current and ongoing medical care and related expenses after suffering a serious injury in an accident. A Pennsylvania catastrophic injury lawyer from Munley Law can guide you through the process to make sure you have a plan that will thoroughly provide for your needs. We negotiate for you to maximize the compensation you receive for the injuries you have suffered. The money will not erase what happened, but we hope it will help you rebuild and prepare for the future.
There is no fee unless we win your case.
The Purpose of Creating a Life Care Plan During a Lawsuit
Injuries from an accident can vary widely and range from minor to severe. Severe injuries can have a long-term impact on your life, especially if they are catastrophic. A catastrophic injury is one that may be permanent and/or prevent you from reaching a full recovery. Paralysis, disabilities, vision loss, traumatic brain injury, and more can all fall into this category. These injuries can affect your quality of life and require extensive or permanent medical care. This is where a life care plan is essential.
The purpose of a life care plan is to make sure that all of your care and expenses are covered by your personal injury settlement. A professional will assess your injuries, needs, and expenses and create a report that identifies your overall condition and the resources you need to recover and/or adapt to the new direction of your life. A life care plan can provide clarity for how to proceed, as well as help you recover a fair settlement that will reduce your financial burden.
Why You Need a Life Care Plan When You Have Suffered Serious Injuries
Life care planners are generally used when you have suffered severe or catastrophic injuries that require more involved medical care. While it can be difficult to determine the full cost of your expenses and medical care on your own, it can be next to impossible to determine how much medical care you will need moving forward. Knowing what to expect the cost to be is even more challenging. A life care plan is not generally needed for minor injuries with a shorter recovery.
Your personal injury lawyer can help you calculate how much your case is worth when you file a personal injury lawsuit, but they may recommend a life care planner who can provide an objective and detailed analysis based on their specialized experience within their niche. This is particularly true when your injury needs ongoing medical care. A medical expert will have the in-depth healthcare knowledge needed to provide a refined and accurate report of your needs.
Information You Should Include in a Life Care Plan
A life care plan should look at both your current and future medical and financial situation, so you are not left without the means to cover your expenses. When the professional handling your life care plan writes up their report, it should include several key pieces of information. Below is a closer look at each element that should be included.
Future Costs of Catastrophic Injuries
Future costs are one of the primary reasons for developing a lifecare plan. No one knows what the future holds, but financial projections can highlight the extent of care and how much it is worth over the course of your life. It may also factor in compensation related to your suffering and decreased quality of life. These projections can show what you need in both the short and long term.
Current and Ongoing Medical Care
Your initial medical costs are only one part of the equation when you have suffered serious injuries. Your future medical expenses are just as important. Depending on your condition, you may need treatment, medication, surgeries, therapies, and more to help you recover or manage the everyday effects of your condition and its impact on your life. A life care planner can help accurately assess what you will need and how much it will cost.
In-home Care
Whether you prefer to remain at home or have difficulty getting around, in-home care can provide a great alternative to hospitalized care. It is also easier to customize the care you receive when you have a medical professional come to you. Nurses, therapists, in-home aides, medical services, and more may be a part of this care option. A life care plan will identify which ones you may need, as well as the attendant care costs associated with each one.
Career and Employment Support
When catastrophic injuries limit your mobility, extremities, and/or senses, it may prevent you from working in the same capacity that you did before. While you may be able to work in a reduced capacity, some injuries may prevent you from doing your job at all. In these situations, you may need vocational rehabilitation to gain new skills or adapt your skills to your current condition. A life care plan will take into account the cost of education and training so that you can find employment and be self-sufficient.
Home and Vehicle Accommodations
Depending on your injury, your condition may prevent you from getting around your home or driving as you did before the accident. Vehicle and home modifications allow you to get around more easily, increase mobility, and retain your independence despite your injuries. These accommodations may include wheelchair ramps, wheelchair-friendly kitchen and bathroom adjustments, lifts, handrails, vehicle adaptations, and more.
Equipment
Catastrophic injuries often require the use of equipment to help you recover and live your daily life. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.5 billion individuals require assistive equipment and technology. Your specific assistive technology needs will depend on the injuries you have suffered. They may include wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids, communication software, and more. These technologies can significantly improve your quality of life by giving you back your independence.
Consulting a Certified Life Care Planner Is Important During Your Personal Injury Case
When you need a detailed evaluation of your medical needs in your case, it is important to talk with your lawyer about consulting life care planners (certified). It is important that your life care planner is certified so they have the necessary credentials for the job. This is especially important in a lawsuit where credibility will be closely scrutinized alongside the severity and extent of your condition, which also impacts the value of your settlement.
A certified life care planner must adhere to certain standards of practice. They must hold a medical license, be board-certified, and/or hold a certification from a designated entity. These individuals carefully review medical records and other documentation in addition to conducting interviews. They will then formulate an appropriate plan and a life care plan calculation to quantify the costs and variables associated with the plan.
Life care planners must also follow a code of ethics and professionalism that dictates their role when working with injured clients. This is important given the sensitive nature of the information they are working with. Life care planners must conduct their assessments professionally, objectively and without discrimination. They must keep all health information confidential in accordance with applicable laws, and avoid dual relationships as much as possible where a conflict of interest may arise.
Life Care Planners are Qualified Experts
The use of medical experts is essential when building a life plan. They can thoroughly speak to the type of injuries you sustained, your prognosis, what kind of care you need and how long you need it, and what long-term care you may require. They will also be familiar with how much all of your care will cost, including medications you may need. Besides designated life care planners, medical experts that can be consulted in your case may include:
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Physicians
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Medical specialists
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Mental health professionals
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Independent evaluators
An expert witness of this kind is critical for determining the full extent of your losses, costs, and the ramifications on your life. They make sure that your life care plan is accurate and compelling, so it is clear what your needs are in relation to your recovery. A lawyer will often seek out and secure an expert witness testimony in your case to strengthen it and provide more evidence in your lawsuit.
How a Life Care Plan Personal Injury Lawsuit Benefits Your Case
While a life care plan is very important on its own, how it is used during a personal injury case is equally important. A life care plan can help you win your case and secure compensation by demonstrating the true cost and need of your injuries. This can be especially helpful if insurance companies and/or opposing parties are challenging the validity of your claim. It is not uncommon for them to try to pay you less than you deserve, so a life care plan can be used to rebut their tactics and arguments.
Because of the detailed financial information included in a life care plan, it can be a valuable tool for determining the damages you are entitled to recover. Your life care plan will be considered alongside the value of your lost income or earning capacity, applicable property damages, and pain and suffering losses. As such, it can be used to aid in negotiations during your case.
To understand what your case is worth and work with a qualified life care planner, you should hire a Munley Law catastrophic injury lawyer. They can use their legal knowledge, experience, and network to build a strong case that maximizes your compensation while providing valuable advocacy and support.
Partner with Munley Law Today to Develop Your Life Care Plan
Munley Law is committed to making sure you receive a fair settlement that will allow you to recover and adapt to your new normal with peace of mind. Our team works diligently to accurately identify your losses and lifetime medical costs so we can effectively negotiate for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and let us help you secure the settlement you deserve.
