
When an accident victim is seriously injured, they may have years of medical expenses to come even after their personal injury case is resolved. Future medical expenses must be calculated and included in their damages to ensure the victim does not have to foot the bill for their inevitable costs. Contact a Pikeville, KY personal injury lawyer to discuss your rights and options when considering your settlement.
What Are Future Medical Expenses?
When an individual is injured in an accident due to another person’s negligence or reckless behavior, the victim can file a claim or lawsuit against the liable party. During the legal process, the victim may be awarded compensation for their medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. However, when the injury is not healed by the time the case is settled, future medical expenses must be considered.
Future medical expenses are any costs of medical care that the victim will incur after the settlement has been awarded. If future costs are not considered and the victim requires years of additional surgeries, doctor visits, and medication, they will bear the burden of paying for those expenses. Instead, during the claim or trial, the victim and their legal representation can present an estimation of their future medical expenses to be added to the settlement amount in anticipation of the costs to come.
Examples of Future Medical Expenses
Common future medical expenses that must be considered include the following.
- Surgery
- Diagnostic testing
- Prescription medications
- Hospitalization and doctor visits
- Mental health treatments
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Medical equipment
- Home care services
- Transportation costs
How Are Future Medical Expenses Calculated?
No injury is the same and every patient is unique so it can be challenging to determine with precision the amount of future expenses an injury will require. However, it is possible to estimate the funds required to cover future costs.
Future medical expenses are calculated by creating a care plan. Your team of medical and legal professionals can work together to create an outline of how you will live with your injury either temporarily or permanently, depending on its severity. After determining what you will need, an economic professional can calculate the approximate cost of each expense.
Your future medical expenses can be impacted by a variety of factors including but not limited to the following.
- The nature of the injury
- Whether you are expected to make a full recovery or not
- The anticipated timeline of your recovery
- The limitations you have due to your injury
- Required medical care
Professional testimony from medical and economic experts will help establish credibility for your future medical expenses and ensure you are appropriately cared for after your case is resolved. Reach out to an attorney for legal assistance.