Factors That Determine Future Medical Costs After an Accident

An accident can leave you with permanent or long-lasting injuries. In such a case, your settlement should include future medical costs. Don't forget that the defendant should compensate you for all damages arising from the accident, including future damages. Below are some critical factors that determine the value of these future medical costs.

The Severity of the Injury

The injury's severity determines the intensity, type, and nature of treatments you might need. For example, spinal injuries on the higher sections of the spine tend to be more severe than injuries on the lower sections. Thus, a spinal injury near the neck might require more medical costs than a spinal injury near the hips.

The Need for Prosthetics

Injuries that involve the loss of a body part might require prosthetics. In addition, most people require multiple prosthetic replacements for the rest of their lives. Thus, you deserve compensation for the cost of future prosthetics.

Necessary Medication

Accident victims who go on to develop chronic problems might require ongoing medication. If that is the case, then the nature of the medication will also affect future medical costs. For example, some injuries cause more excruciating pain than others. Such injuries require pain management therapy, which usually includes strong painkillers.

Expected Therapy

Chronic medical problems sometimes require both physical and psychological therapy. Physical therapy may help you manage pain and improve your recovery and comfort. Psychological therapy may help you deal with the emotional aspects of your medical problems. Both forms of therapy may continue for a long time, and defendants should compensate you for these expenses.

Transportation Costs

Many people with chronic health problems need regular visits to their doctors, specialists, and therapists, among other professionals. Severe injuries, such as paralysis or debilitating pain, might even require special transportation costs. You should include future transportation costs for these visits in your calculation of future medical costs.

Your Medical Prognosis

Some medical conditions get better with time, a few stay the same, and others worsen over time. Your medical prognosis will determine the direction your injury is likely to take. For example, your future medical costs will increase if your injury worsens, and you shouldn't be stuck with the extra costs.

Your Age

Your age matters, especially if your doctors don't expect your situation to get better with time. The younger you are, the longer you'll have to live with your injury. For example, a teenage amputee will require more prosthetics in their life than a middle-aged amputee.

Life Expectancy

Both age and life expectancy determine how long you have to live with a permanent injury. Thus, the court will also consider the prevailing life expectancy, which the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently puts at 78.7 years.

For example, the estimation is that a 30-year-old has to live with a permanent injury for at least 48.7 years. Thus, the future medical costs should cover at least 48.7 years for a 30-year old plaintiff with a permanent injury.

Expected Increments

Lastly, your future medical costs are likely to increase with time. First, inflation means the overall prices of all goods and services usually increase over a long period. Secondly, the cost of medical devices, treatments, and drugs might increase. Your settlement should include an allowance for such increments.

Calculating future damages tends to be more complicated than calculating present damages. Fortunately, you can rely on Frank W. Thompson, Esq. Erwin Thompson Faillers to help you determine the damages. We have over 35 years of experience in personal injury law. Contact us to evaluate your case and determine how to pursue your damages.