Most people will never have to deal with a life-changing injury. For those who do, the future may feel bleak and uncertain.
Catastrophic injuries often include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-altering injuries. Such injuries are usually the result of a car accident, fall, workplace accident, or unusual traumatic event.
Fortunately, there are medical life care plans to help those who have suffered a catastrophic injury and are now disabled. A personal injury attorney can help an injured victim and their family develop a life care plan, which will provide them with a powerful negotiating tool if a settlement is involved.
What Is a Life Care Plan?
The purpose of a medical life care plan is to identify all of a victim’s present and future medical needs related to their injury or disability. A comprehensive plan should include specifics about specialist care, support needs, and psychological counseling.
When developing a life care plan, consider the following options as needed:
- Alternative living arrangements
- Communication aids
- Corrective devices
- Dietary requirements
- Education and tutoring
- Financial management
- Home modifications
- Hospitalizations
- Laboratory and diagnostic studies
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Medications
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Recreational needs
- Transportation needs
Costs need to be considered based on the frequency of the victim’s medical needs, including office visits, future hospitalizations, and equipment. The more personalized a life plan is, the more likely a victim’s well-being, comfort, and independence can be maximized.
How to Create a Medical Life Care Plan
Developing a life care plan starts with a referral from an attorney and copies of all medical records. Since a mountain of medical records was likely generated due to the severity of the injury and frequent hospital visits, these are the documents that should be analyzed first:
- Admission and discharge summaries
- The doctor’s notes and commentary
- Surgical and procedure reports
If additional information is needed, a life care planner needs to identify and request the specific records. An attorney may recommend additional evaluations or consultations after reviewing the medical records to ensure the patient’s files are as up-to-date as possible.
How Can an Attorney Help
Hiring a personal injury lawyer after a catastrophic injury can save a person a great deal of grief and frustration. An experienced attorney will schedule an in-person interview with the victim or their family to better understand their injuries and circumstances. Then, they will conduct an investigation into their case.
The investigation will involve researching medical texts and interviewing health care professionals and specialty organizations. Once the research is complete, an attorney can project what the present and future medical needs of their client will be. The care plan can then be reviewed and verified by a medical professional.
The best life care plans take into account the individual needs of the injured victim. Additional needs, such as adaptive clothing, should be taken into account. To create a comprehensive plan, a life care planner and an attorney must exhaust every possible need the patient has.
Recovering From a Life-Changing Injury
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury to the brain, spine, or another part of the body due to another person or entity’s negligence, Gary Martin Hays & Associates can help.
We have decades of experience when it comes to helping severely injured victims get the treatment and financial compensation they need to face the future with hope and confidence.
You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of outrageous medical costs caused by a tragic accident that didn’t have to happen. Contact us to get started on your case and life care plan today.
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