The Importance of Considering Future Medical Costs in a Settlement Offer
When you have suffered devastating injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to compensation for your losses. However, if you hope to maximize the amount of compensation you are awarded, it is essential to consider the costs of your future medical care before you accept any type of settlement offer.
One of the top mistakes injury victims make is failing to take into consideration how their lives will continue to be affected by their injuries in the future. You should not be stuck dealing with the fallout of your injuries when someone else is to blame – even if your injuries continue to significantly impact your life as time goes on.
What Are Future Medical Costs?
When you are injured in an accident caused by another party’s recklessness, you can make them pay. However, making sure to consider the costs of your future medical care will be critical.
These types of damages are often passed over by those who attempt to go through the claims process independently. Also, many insurance companies will not mention that you have the right to compensation for the costs of your future medical care.
Even if you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), you may require additional medical treatment as the years go on. It is also possible that your condition could worsen over time depending on how you were injured and whether any secondary issues arise.
Future Medical Cost Examples
Future medical expenses can take many forms. However, some examples of the types you may be able to seek compensation for include:
- Reconstructive surgery
- Hospital bills
- Follow up medical care
- Costs of medical equipment
- Costs of assisted living or nursing home facilities
- Mental health counseling expenses
- Costs of physical or occupational therapies
- Costs of diagnostic testing
- Co-pays
- Modifications to your home
Why Are Future Medical Expenses Important in Your Settlement?
Considering your future medical expenses is critical in how much compensation you should be awarded for your damages. You should never be expected to cover the costs of your medical expenses as they relate to injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.
Your injuries could have an impact on your life for years to come. Do not let yourself get tricked into settling for less than you deserve. The last thing you want is to find your medical condition worsening over time and be stuck covering the costs because you settled too soon.
Calculating and Proving Your Future Medical Costs
To accurately calculate the value of your future medical costs, your personal injury lawyer will go over your prognosis and work with professional medical experts to determine how your life may continue to be affected by your injuries in the future, including the types of medical expenses that may arise. Testimony from your physician will prove invaluable in showing the court that you are entitled to the compensation you request.
Your attorney can work with your healthcare provider to implement a plan of care for the future that can outline where these medical expenses may occur so you can anticipate coverage. This is particularly true if your injuries are expected to have a lasting impact on your life. If you are expected to eventually recover and be able to participate in your former lifestyle, your lawyer may be more inclined to itemize potential medical expenses that may arise.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies may be less likely to pay out on claims where damages may be speculative. In fact, many insurance policies only require the insurance company to compensate injury victims for certain types and amounts of damages. However, this almost always includes the costs of medical care.
Your attorney will be responsible for obtaining the evidence needed to prove the value of your potential future medical expenses so you can be compensated fairly for this loss. It is important that you do not accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without first reviewing it with your attorney. They could be attempting to get you to settle for significantly less than your claim is worth to reduce their profit loss.
Get Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer in PA Today
When you want to be sure that every single future medical expense is taken into consideration as you calculate the value of your personal injury lawsuit, but you are unsure of what your next steps should be, do not hesitate to contact a reputable Pennsylvania nursing home lawyer at Atlee Hall.
Our firm is proud to offer free consultations to injury victims across Pennsylvania. Take advantage of this opportunity by completing our quick contact form or calling our office at (717) 393-9596.