While some personal injuries only cause minor scrapes and bruises, others result in life-altering consequences. When you have suffered catastrophic injuries, you may need ongoing medical and practical support. The experienced San Antonio catastrophic injury attorneys at George Salinas Injury Lawyers have experience preparing life care plans, which can help prepare your personal injury case for maximum compensation.
What Is a Life Care Plan?
A life care plan is a written document that outlines a person’s long-term needs after sustaining a severe injury or suffering from a serious medical condition. The document contains information about the injury victim’s medical treatments. It is evidence-based, so it can reasonably project the injured’s lifetime medical, financial, and lifestyle requirements. Life care plans help ensure that injured people have access to necessary medical treatments, care, resources, and support.
This information helps the injured’s legal team make comprehensive financial estimates so they can negotiate for fair compensation. This helps ensure that the demand for compensation exceeds initial treatment needs and focuses instead on the victim’s medical needs.
What Is Included in a Life Care Plan?
Life care plans are specific to the individuals they regard. Some of the key components of life care plans include the following:
- Medical care needs: The life care plan provides information about the subject’s need for ongoing treatments, including work with medical specialists and physical therapy, medications, and future surgical procedures recommended for the injury.
- Rehabilitation services: The subject’s need for rehabilitation services, such as speech, occupational, or psychological therapy may be identified.
- Caregiver assistance: The subject may need ongoing in-home care or institutionalized care. The life care plan might recommend family-based caregiving arrangements.
- Home modifications: The life care plan may discuss various accommodations that need to be made in the subject’s home, such as installing wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, and adding chair lifts.
- Mobility assistance: The life care plan may identify mobility aids that are recommended, such as prosthetic limbs or wheelchairs.
- Assistive technologies: This component addresses the subject’s need for communication aids, computer systems that aid in accessibility, or hearing aids.
- Transportation needs: This component discusses modifications that need to be made to existing vehicles, as well as payment for transportation and travel for medical appointments.
- Vocational and educational services: The subject may benefit from job re-training or continued education to help them rejoin the workforce.
- Projected life costs: The life care plan can include totals for the above and account for inflation, life expectancy, and advancements in medical research.
What Does a Life Care Planner Do?
Life care planners help devise life plans. They work closely with legal teams, medical professionals, and the subjects of these reports so that they have a comprehensive understanding and provide a complete evaluation of the situation. They may recommend and review medical evaluations. They may interview the subject and their healthcare team. They work together with legal teams, giving them projected amounts and line items to include in the plan. They may also research the latest medical advancements and treatment options. Furthermore, they may testify about this information in court.
Contact Us for Help with Your Life Care Plan
The San Antonio personal injury legal experts at George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help develop a life care plan that considers the full impact of your injuries on your life. This strategic approach helps us to position your case for maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your long-term needs following an accident caused by someone else.