Understanding Life Care Plans in Catastrophic Injury Cases

If you have sustained a catastrophic injury, you may be unable to perform routine tasks. Given the gravity of such an injury, bathing, grooming, and feeding yourself can be cumbersome and even impossible, requiring round-the-clock care. Your medical costs may seem never-ending, quickly threatening your financial future.

At The Law Office of Mark C. Tanenbaum, P.A., our Charleston catastrophic injury lawyers are devoted to maximizing the compensation you receive following a serious injury. While it may be impossible to reverse your pain, our legal team is committed to fighting for your rights moving forward. We provide tenacious representation and aggressive representation to obtain a just settlement.

What is a Life Care Plan?

It is estimated that catastrophic injury victims spend anywhere between $1.6 to $2.5 million during their lifetime. These costs encompass medical expenses, long-term care, and lost wages. Given the variety and extent of accident-related costs, a life care plan can be an invaluable tool in reaching a settlement. The care plan provides a detailed written explanation of a person’s future financial needs, taking into account their past and present medical care and standard of living.

In addition to establishing the costs of care, a strong life care plan will provide medical records and supporting documentation to establish projected costs. Any potential complications should be included as well to ensure that you have the financial resources needed to live comfortably. When a settlement cannot be reached, a life care plan will help a jury understand the gravity of what is at stake.

What Costs are Included in a Life Care Plan?

A life care plan is tailored to each person’s specific needs. Following a catastrophic injury, a life care plan may account for any or all of the following expenses:

• Medical imaging and laboratory testing
• Mental and physical health evaluations
• Mobility aids (wheelchairs, prosthetics, crutches)
• Home modifications (chair lifts, widened doorways, grab bars)
• Vocational services
• Transportation needs
• Rehabilitative therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cognitive therapy, etc.)

Who Can Be a Life Care Planner?

A life care planner is a trained rehabilitation professional who may be a certified nurse, physician, rehabilitation counselor, occupational therapist, physical therapist, social worker, or psychologist. A life care planner must have 120 hours of specialized educational training while also having both national and professional certifications as Certified Life Care Planners (CLCP). This level of expertise allows them to provide an accurate estimate of anticipated future costs that may arise while establishing your current condition and needs.

Importance of Life Care Plans in Obtaining Maximum Compensation

A life care planner is trained to evaluate patients while also obtaining the necessary documentation to help you obtain just compensation. Insurance companies are only interested in minimizing their payouts, not maximizing your benefits. Having a strong life care plan and supporting documentation will justify the projected costs of future treatments. Besides medical documentation, a life care planner will gather expert witness testimony (from physicians and other healthcare professionals) to provide credibility to listed anticipated costs. Having a strong care plan can make all the difference in reaching the settlement you deserve.

Sustain a Serious Injury? Contact a Charleston Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today

While nobody has a crystal ball, a life care plan can provide the evidence you need to reach a fair insurance settlement. A life care plan will support your future medical and lifestyle needs, allowing you to live the highest quality of life. At The Law Office of Mark C. Tanenbaum, P.A., we help catastrophic injury victims connect with experienced life care planners to document the full extent of their expenses. If you have recently experienced a serious injury, do not hesitate to contact our Charleston catastrophic injury attorneys today. To schedule your free consultation, we can be reached online or by calling (843) 577-5100 today.