Creating a Life Care Plan After a Catastrophic Injury

Catastrophic injuries most commonly occur in car accidents but can also happen in motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents or birth injuries. Any of these scenarios can completely change a person’s life. If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, you’ve most likely heard of a life care plan.

A life care plan is a crucial component of any personal injury case involving catastrophic injuries since it helps ensure that the injured party receives the necessary medical treatment and services they need to maximize their quality of life and achieve the highest possible level of independence. But what exactly is a life care plan and how does it help the injured person? Please keep reading to find out.

Suffering a catastrophic injury, be it to you or a loved one is devastating. But you can take action against those responsible. Call The Dominguez Firm now for a free consultation at (800) 818-1818. We can travel to your home or hospital at a moment’s notice.

What is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?

In personal injury law, a catastrophic injury is generally defined as an injury that results in permanent disability or long-term impairment, significantly affecting the victim’s quality of life. It is an injury that is severe and has a lasting impact on the victim’s ability to perform daily activities and participate in the workforce.

Common examples of catastrophic injuries in personal injury law include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Multiple fractures

These types of injuries can require prolonged medical treatment, ongoing care, and rehabilitation, and often result in profound physical, emotional, and financial consequences for the victim and their family. In short, someone with a catastrophic injury will most likely not be able to return to the life they led before their accident.

What is a Life Care Plan?

A life care plan is a detailed document that calculates the estimated medical needs and life expectancy of an individual due to a catastrophic accident injury.

A certified life care planner (CLCP) helps create the plan with the input of several individuals including:

• Physicians
• Rehabilitation specialists
• Vocational experts
• Mental health counselors
• Other healthcare professionals depending on the person’s injuries
• Close friends and family of the victim
• Contractors, if modifications to the victim’s home are needed
• If they can participate, the injured person

The person’s attorney will also be involved in the process. Many times, these plans are presented as evidence when negotiating settlements with insurance companies or before a court if the case goes to trial.

What Are Some of the Expenses a Life Care Plan May Cover?

The expenses, also known legally as damages covered by a life care plan will depend on the injury. In most cases, they will include but are not limited to:

• Future medical care
• Medications the victim will need
• Future surgeries
• Mental health counseling
• Medical devices such as orthotics
• Home modifications
• Short or long-term care
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Transportation

What Are the Steps to Creating a Life Care Plan?

The process of creating a life care plan usually involves the following steps:

• Evaluation: The team begins by evaluating the individual’s medical status and prognosis. They consider the individual’s current and future medical needs, as well as their personal and family circumstances.

• Recommendations: Based on the evaluation, a list is created of recommended treatments, medications, medical equipment, and assistive devices, as well as the associated costs. Also, the recommended frequency and duration of medical appointments, therapy sessions, and other interventions are outlined.

• Non-medical Needs: Depending on the injury, the individual’s non-medical needs may be included. These can consist of transportation, home modifications, and personal care assistance.

• Cost Analysis: Once the recommendations have been developed, the team conducts a cost analysis to determine the overall cost of implementing the life care plan.

• Plan Presentation: Finally, the life care plan is presented to the individual and their family by their personal injury lawyer, to ensure that everyone understands the recommendations and the associated costs.

I Didn’t Have Medical Insurance at the Time of My Accident. Can I Still Have a Life Care Plan Drawn Up?

It doesn’t matter whether you or your loved one had medical insurance or not at the time of the accident. A life care plan can be drawn up regardless.

Call The Dominguez Firm Today

Providing the victim with the best quality of life possible will frankly require sizable amounts of money. By filing a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible, the injured person and their family can fight for their right to much-needed compensation at such a difficult time.

The Dominguez Firm has been helping catastrophic injury victims and their families for over 35 years. In that time we have won several multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients. We are a full-service law firm with the resources to make sure you or your loved one have a solid life care plan. Plus, we’ll fight for every penny of the compensation you’re entitled to as well.

If you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries due to an accident, call The Dominguez Firm today at (800) 818-1818 for a free consultation. We are here for you!