One of the most important considerations in an injury claim is the severity of your injuries and how long they may affect you. These things impact the value of your claim, which is not just about the medical bills you rack up and treatment you need during the legal process, but also the treatment you may need months or years in the future.
Determining the value of future medical care can be very difficult without the help of a licensed attorney with experience and a history of results.
The attorneys at Geoff McDonald and Associates know how to determine the value of future medical care. We can consult medical and economic experts if necessary, and we have the resources to thoroughly investigate your situation.
Types of Future Medical Care You May Need
The care you may need after your injury claim is concluded depends on the injury you suffered and how much it heals during your recovery. The more severe the injury, the less likely you are to make a full recovery.
There are various treatments you may need to help manage your symptoms or regain function or strength. This may include things like:
- Prescription painkillers
- Medical tests (x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc.)
- Other prescription medications
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Wheelchair
- Surgery
- Visits with doctors
- Assistance with activities of daily living (eating, toileting, bathing and dressing)
- Crutches or braces
- Psychological counseling for emotional issues like post-traumatic stress or depression
There are many factors that go into your treatment plan, particularly your age and other injuries or conditions. How you respond to treatment is another factor your attorney and doctors will consider when assessing future treatment needs.
How Can an Attorney Assist Me in Evaluating Future Treatment Needs?
At Geoff McDonald and Associates, we have many years of experience determining the value of injury victims’ future treatment. We understand how important future treatment is to your future well-being. That is why we wait until you reach the point of maximum medical improvement to assess the full value of your claim.
If necessary, we can bring in medical and economic experts to help us review the treatment you have already received, how you responded to it, the seriousness of your injuries, and the types of treatments that may help improve the quality of your life. This may include talking to a physical therapist about your rehabilitation needs and the challenges you are facing.
Some of the questions we may consider include:
- Will continued physical therapy improve strength in areas that have weakened because of a joint injury?
- Will surgery reduce nerve pain in the back?
- Are there alternative care options available?
- What are the benefits and risks of different prescription medications that may help you recover or manage your daily symptoms?
Once you sign a settlement agreement, or a jury awards compensation, you cannot pursue more compensation from the at-fault party. That is why it is so important to factor in the costs for future medical treatment. Attorneys usually do not finalize their demands from the at-fault party until the injury has healed as much as possible.
Schedule Your No-Cost Initial Consultation Today
There are no upfront costs for hiring our Richmond personal injury lawyers to represent you. There is also no obligation to take legal action after meeting with us to discuss your situation.
Our goal is to obtain maximum compensation for the damages you have suffered, including future damages. We want you to have the compensation you need to continue your medical treatment and move forward with your life. You may be permanently disabled or have ongoing pain or other symptoms, but your compensation award should help you get the treatment you need to manage your symptoms in the best way possible.
