The moment you get into an accident, you can almost imagine a meter starting up that tabulates your expenses. Along with the repairs you need to make to your car, you also have medical expenses that begin with the first trip to the emergency room.
Once you’re in the ER, tests will be ordered, medications will be prescribed, and you’ll be treated. That will be just one massive bill, but the medical expenses don’t stop there.
There will be follow-up visits with your doctor. With extreme injuries, you might have to go through surgery and a hospital stay, which are more bills.
Then there is the aftercare to consider, which can include medical supplies like crutches and slings. Your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy sessions. All of this medical treatment plays out as you file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This is when you need to get an experienced Gulfport personal injury lawyer involved in your case.
At Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, we understand the financial strain that a personal injury claim can create. That is why we’re dedicated to helping our clients get the maximum amount they are due, and that includes any future medical expenses.
Calculating what you owe when you file your claim is easy. How are future medical expenses determined? It will depend on many factors.
What Are Future Medical Expenses?
When you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should not pay for any expenses related to those injuries. Unfortunately, with some injuries, you might not be fully recovered before you file your initial claim. What types of future medical expenses can you be reimbursed for?
Those would include the following:
- Doctor follow-up visits
- X-rays, MRI, CT scans
- Special transportation
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy
- Medical supplies
- Mental health counseling
These might be the costs that accumulate after you’ve filed your claim. It is important to remember that once you accept a settlement offer, you’ll sign an agreement that waives your rights for future action.
In other words, you won’t be able to go back and ask for more money no matter how bad things might get. That is why you must be cautious when requesting future medical expenses.
How Can You Determine Future Medical Expenses?
Although it might seem like you’re making a calculated guess, in order to be reimbursed for future medical expenses, you need to demonstrate the need clearly. This is what you and your personal injury attorney need to present:
Proof of the Severity of Your Injury
The proof of the severity of your injuries begins with the results of those initial examinations and tests.
Whether it is a burn, fracture, or head trauma, the medical professionals who have diagnosed you will assign a classification that reflects the severity of the injury. Those results don’t lie.
Demonstrate the Need for Treatment
You and your lawyer must establish the prescribed course of treatment for your injuries. For instance, if that treatment includes physical therapy, then your doctor should detail how long that therapy should take before you are deemed recovered.
Keep in mind that determining future medical expenses is separate from your pain and suffering.
Your medical expenses are quantifiable. You’ll know the costs of physical therapy and prescriptions.
Your personal injury lawyer will work closely with you to also calculate the impact of the injury on your quality of life. Those will be your pain and suffering damages that will be added to the medical expenses.
What Are the Challenges in Proving Future Medical Expenses?
As you might expect, there will be challenges associated with your future medical expense claims.
The insurance carrier that you’re making a claim against will put up a rigorous defense against those future expenses because they are speculative. You could end up making a strong recovery and might not need all those physical therapy sessions.
There is also the issue of second medical opinions. The insurance carrier may request a second medical evaluation to determine the extent of your injuries. Not every medical expert will agree. That can complicate what you’re asking for. It might also mean setting up a completely independent exam.
Overcoming the Legal Hurdles
There are many legal hurdles standing between you and your ability to receive reimbursement for future medical expenses. That is why you want experienced personal injury attorneys as your advocate.
The lawyers at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC, are extremely well-versed when it comes to calculating damages on behalf of our clients. Our goal is to fight to ensure our clients receive the maximum benefits they are entitled to.
We can take the stress out of planning for future expenses. Let’s talk about your injury and what you need.
