When a physical injury is serious, it will require future foreseeable medical costs and care, possibly for the rest of the victim’s life. A case that is filed for the injury should reflect the victim’s future medical needs to come to a fair settlement value. A Las Vegas personal injury attorney can help you calculate future medical expenses to get the most out of your case.
How to Seek Financial Compensation for Future Medical Expenses
It is critical not to overlook future medical expenses during a personal injury case in Nevada. A personal injury claim can pay a victim for all “reasonable and necessary” care connected to the injury, including both current medical bills and future estimated costs. These may include:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Checkups and follow-ups
- Scans and x-rays
- Surgeries
- Therapies
- Rehabilitation
- Counseling for mental health
- Medical devices
- Prescription medications
- Disability costs
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Live-in care
Future health care costs must be pronounced medically necessary by a physician to be included in the claim. They must also be for an injury that is directly related to the accident and reasonably certain to occur in the victim’s future.
How to Calculate Future Medical Costs
When it comes to determining a fair and reasonable amount for future necessary medical care, the best way to get an accurate number is by working closely with an attorney. Your lawyer will have access to the resources you need for a comprehensive case evaluation. This process typically involves:
- Obtaining long-term treatment plans from doctors and specialists.
- Working with a life-care planner to understand your anticipated future medical needs.
- Identifying all medical devices, products, medications and services you will need.
- Estimating future costs based on existing costs and regional market rates.
- Adjusting the numbers for medical inflation (cost increases) over time.
- Reducing the value, if necessary, based on your life expectancy or duration of needed care.
Your lawyer will calculate an accurate amount in future medical needs based on your unique injuries and prognosis. The law firm will then create a comprehensive document outlining all of your future medical costs to present to an insurance company or judge during your claim.
Proving Future Medical Expenses in a Personal Injury Case
Securing fair and full financial compensation for your long-term medical care requires you or your personal injury lawyer to prove that this is a compensable loss. Since future medical expenses are projected, they require more than just existing medical bills to establish. An attorney can help you obtain compelling evidence to support your claim, such as notes from your doctors, past medical treatment history, testimony from a medical expert or life-care planner, the details of your life-care plan, and input from an economic expert.
Ensure Fair Results By Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada
It is vital not to underestimate the future costs that will be associated with your injuries during a personal injury claim. If you accept a settlement that does not adequately compensate you for future foreseeable medical care, you will be unable to reopen your claim later if you find out you settled for less than you need for a catastrophic injury. Work with an experienced personal injury lawyer during your case to ensure a fair result. Your attorney will work closely with your team of doctors and hire medical experts to come up with an accurate number. Then, your lawyer will negotiate with an insurance provider on your behalf for the case results you need for your medical care – both now and in the future.