Catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injuries (SCI) have long-term complications that require extensive treatments. Spinal cord injuries are also largely irreversible, which means individuals face a lifetime of care. Because of this, many personal injury attorneys who are working with SCI victims will advocate for life care planning in their compensation.
What is Life Care Planning?
Life care planning is an analysis of the injured individual’s future needs. This will include a comprehensive assessment of their medical condition and functional abilities. The life care plan will then lay out the costs of all the necessary treatments and services over the individual’s lifetime.
Some of the common elements that may be included in a life care plan are:
- In-home nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Home modifications
- Wheelchairs or other adaptive equipment
- Transportation needs
- Psychological counseling
Creating a life care plan can be expensive and time-consuming, but it provides invaluable information about the future needs of the injured individual. This information can then be used to negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Why Would You Need a Life Care Plan?
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, then you know how complicated and costly medical care can be. A life care plan can help ensure you have the resources you need to cover the costs of lifetime care.
A life care plan can also be helpful if you are seeking government benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Social Security Administration will often request a life care plan as part of its review process.
Finally, a life care plan can be used as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit. If you are suing the at-fault party for damages, then your life care plan can be used to illustrate the future costs of your SCI.
New York Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
When you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury in New York due to another person’s actions, you deserve to have your rights advocated for. Our personal injury attorney at The Paris Law Group, PC can help ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call (888) 365-4940 today to discuss your options.