When someone suffers a permanent, life-changing injury, he or she will need ongoing medical care. However, this is just one of many needs, as catastrophic injuries affect victims physically, economically and emotionally.

This situation may often require a life care plan for the injured victim. The purpose is to detail the needs and expenses of someone who suffered a severe personal injury as a result of another party’s negligence. This blog explains some of the things injury victims need to know about life care plans in personal injury cases.

If you or your loved one have suffered a life-altering injury, our licensed attorneys may be able to help you draft a life care plan tailored to your individual needs. Call to schedule a free legal consultation.

We represent the injured at no upfront cost. Call to learn more: (612) TSR-TIME.

What Is a Life Care Plan?

Life care plans are comprehensive documents that explain the current and future medical, psychological and rehabilitation needs of someone who suffered a significant injury or one that caused a permanent disability. The main goal of a life care plan is to help ensure the victim’s well-being and quality of life.

Life care plans cover everything from immediate medical needs (surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications) to long-term care, durable medical equipment, modifications to the victim’s home or vehicle and more.

Life care plans also project the cost of the care you will likely need. Determining these needs can help your lawyer pursue full compensation from the liable insurance company.

Each life care plan needs to be specifically tailored to an injury victim’s unique needs. Often, these plans need to be drafted with the assistance of an experienced lawyer.

TSR Injury Law’s Minneapolis personal injury lawyers have helped many people with long-term injuries secure the compensation they needed to manage the myriad effects of their injuries. We work with relevant experts to help ensure we get an accurate idea of what victims will likely need. We want you to have all the compensation you need to move forward.

When do Injury Victims Need a Life Care Plan?

Injury victims may need a life care plan if they:

• Have a catastrophic injury that has resulted in a long-term or permanent disability – examples may include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries or amputation, but there are many more.
• Need ongoing medical care, rehabilitation or personal care because of their personal injury.
• Will need to make modifications to his or her vehicle or home because of physical limitations. For example, he or she may be unable to walk and may need handicap driving controls in his or her car or a wheelchair ramp to get into his or her home. There may also be a need to expand doorways and install handrails.
• Need assistance with daily activities, such as dressing, toileting, cooking or doing chores around the house.
• Need to use a medical device for walking, such as a walker or crutches.

Each case is different, so it is critical that victims meet with an experienced lawyer to determine their needs after an injury.

What Is Included in a Life Care Plan?

You can think of a life care plan as a roadmap for an injured victim’s future, as far as medical care and changes he or she will need to make because of the injury/disability.

Life care plans are likely to include the following:

• Detailed description of the victim’s medical treatment (surgeries, stays at the hospital, doctor visits) and rehabilitation needs.
• Cost of occupational or vocational therapy.
• Daily living expenses, such as housing, utilities and clothing if the individual cannot work to support himself or herself.
• Projections on future medical treatment, including surgeries, rehabilitation, appointments with doctors and other medical interventions.
• Medical equipment and supplies the victim is going to need (wheelchair, powerchair, crutches, walker, prosthetics, orthotics, etc.).
• Home or vehicle modifications needed to accommodate the victim’s disability.
• Long-term care needs, such as the cost of hiring a caregiver.
• The victim’s projected life expectancy.
• Lost income caused by the victim’s medical issues.
• Any other necessary services to ensure the individual’s well-being and quality of life.

Who Can Be a Life Care Planner?

Life care planners have diverse career backgrounds that allow them to fully assess the long-term care needs of individuals with catastrophic injuries.

Life care planners often have experience in at least a few of these areas:

• Nursing, as some life care planners may be registered nurses who have worked in rehabilitation and/or case management.
• Social work
• Psychology or psychotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Medical specialists who have comprehensive knowledge of certain disabilities or chronic conditions

How Do Life Care Planners Develop a Plan?

Life care planners often begin with a detailed evaluation of the injured victim’s medical records and his or her current health. They conduct detailed interviews with the victim, his or her family and doctors. The goal of these interviews is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the injury and how it is affecting the victim’s life.

Life care planners also evaluate the victim’s ability to complete a variety of daily tasks. This helps the planner determine when and where victims are likely to need regular assistance and the nature of that assistance.

The next step is an assessment of the immediate and long-term medical needs of the victim, including:

• Medical treatment
• Therapies
• Medical equipment
• Modifications to living environments

Planners must balance these needs with other considerations, such as:

• How the condition is progressing
• Possible complications
• Medical advancements in treatment or rehabilitation

Once life care planners create a comprehensive plan for all anticipated needs, they can estimate the cost.

Were You Seriously Injured by Another’s Negligence? Call TSR Injury Law

If you or a loved one has been injured and are likely to need long-term care, reach out to TSR Injury Law to find out how we may be able to help.

Our experienced lawyers work with injured victims to help them secure the compensation and care they need, both now and on an ongoing basis. For decades, we have been helping those with serious injuries. You pay no upfront costs to get started, and there are no legal obligations.

Free initial consultation. More than $1 billion recovered. Phone: (612) TSR-TIME.