Accident victims may require extensive medical treatment if they sustained injury, as well as a lengthy healing period. Those who have had more severe injuries may continue to require medical attention for months or even years to come.
Reimbursement for medical bills, both past and present, can easily be demonstrated in a personal injury claim with invoices and billing statements. However, future medical costs are more difficult to estimate. An experienced personal injury attorney who understands how to calculate this figure can be a major help to victims pursuing compensation in a personal injury claim.
We will go over future medical expenses and what you should know in the following article. Those with further questions, the skilled personal injury attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick can help.
Future Medical Expenses Explained
Personal injury claims can include specific damages for items like future medical bills. This financial aid is not necessary for all accident victims, but those who may not need ongoing medical attention may need this. Those with minor injuries and a speedy recovery may not.
Things change for people who were seriously injured in an accident. After reaching maximum medical recovery (MMI), a victim may still need ongoing care for pain and other complications. The costs of this ongoing care would be part of future medical expenses.
Pressure sores, bowel and bladder problems, spasticity (muscle and tendon jerks and spasms), bone density concerns, and other complications are common in bedridden patients with spinal cord injuries. Although the accident itself did not cause these injuries, they are complications of the injury the victim suffered in the accident. Thus, would be considered future medical expenses.
Examples of future medical expenses include:
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Assisted living costs
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Medical testing
- Transportation assistance
How To Prove Future Medical Expenses Are Needed
If the jury finds that the victim has a legitimate need for future medical care, the victim may be awarded compensation for those costs. Depending on state law, you may not be required to provide absolute proof, but only reasonable proof that future treatments will be plausible.
An attorney representing an injured client may call upon the client's treating physician and/or another medical expert to testify on the client's behalf and bolster the need. The insurance company and the jury can learn more about the injured party's current and future medical needs with the assistance of medical experts.
Brandon J. Broderick Can Help You With Your Personal Injury Claim
You shouldn't have to shoulder the financial burden of an injury that was caused by someone else's negligence. If you have a legal issue, you can trust that the lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law will work to protect your rights and win your case. We have been practicing personal injury, employment, and car accident law for decades.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation.