When you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, the immediate medical expenses are often just the beginning. Many injuries require long-term treatment that can last months or even years. Understanding how to secure compensation for future medical costs is essential to your financial recovery and peace of mind.
What Are Future Medical Expenses?
Future medical expenses refer to the anticipated costs of medical care you will need after your case concludes. These may include:
- Surgeries and hospital stays
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- In-home or long-term care
- Assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs, prosthetics)
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
Experts determine these expenses based on the severity of your injury and how it is expected to progress over time.
Who Can Claim Future Medical Expenses?
You may be eligible to seek compensation for future medical care if:
- You’ve sustained permanent or long-term injuries
- Your condition requires ongoing treatment or multiple surgeries
- You have not yet reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)
If your recovery is not yet complete by the time your case is being resolved, future medical expenses can play a key role in your settlement.
How Are Future Medical Costs Calculated?
Attorneys and medical experts may use one of two primary methods:
- Total Lifestyle Approach: This method assumes that the injured person will never fully recover to how they functioned before the accident. The injured person will need a “life care plan” that estimates the expenses required to maintain their quality of life over their expected lifetime.
- Extra Cost Method: This method comes into play when the injured person is likely to get back to their normal life but will face extra costs because of the injury while they are getting better. The injured person needs to list out each expected future expense to come up with a total claim for future medical costs.
These assessments consider factors like your age, injury severity, treatment duration, inflation in healthcare costs, and other treatment options.
How Do You Prove Future Medical Needs?
To support your claim, you’ll need substantial documentation and expert input:
- Expert Testimony: Physicians or specialists explain your injuries and long-term prognosis.
- Medical Records: Show your treatment history and expected future care.
- Life Care Plan: Details your long-term needs in a structured report.
- Economic Analysis: Forecasts rising medical costs and inflation.
Thorough documentation ensures your future healthcare needs are not overlooked or undervalued.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Proving future medical costs is complex and often contested. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize these claims. Working with a skilled personal injury attorney can make a significant difference. At Brock & Stout, our attorneys work with medical and financial experts to present a clear, compelling case on your behalf.
Contact Brock and Stout’s personal injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation. Learn more about your options and take the first step towards securing your financial future. Let our experienced legal team help you protect your future and get the compensation you deserve