Will my personal injury case cover future medical expenses?

Yes, Tennessee law permits plaintiffs in a personal injury claim to seek compensation for future medical expenses. However, estimating the cost of your future medical care can get a little tricky. The defendant’s insurance company is unlikely to pay additional money for medical expenditures that may not be performed.

Some future medical needs are more likely to be approved as part of your personal injury settlement than others. If you and your attorney establish that your condition requires ongoing care or that you require accommodations in a long-term care facility, then you may have a better case to justify these damages than you would if you were seeking damages for potential (but not certain) complications from your injuries.

Your Nashville personal injury lawyer must establish that your future medical needs are likely and medically necessary for your claim for future damages to succeed.

What are future medical expenses in Tennessee personal injury claims?

Future medical expenses are medical bills you haven’t incurred yet, but will. These can include ongoing treatments like occupational or physical therapy, additional surgeries, the cost of accommodations in a nursing home or memory care facility, prescription medications, and modifications to your vehicle or house to accommodate a new disability.

If you make a full recovery before your personal injury case concludes, it’s easy to calculate your compensation for medical care. However, it’s not uncommon to initiate legal action before the plaintiff has fully healed, especially when they’re grievously injured or have a long recovery period, with complications.

Determining whether you will need additional treatment or if you’re at the point at which no further curative care will yield further healing usually rests on the expert testimony of medical experts familiar with your type of medical condition.

How are future medical expenses calculated?

Calculating future medical costs depends on the nature of the injury, the plaintiff’s life expectancy, and the likelihood that they will make a full recovery.

If you’re expected to make a full recovery, then calculating your future medical care is fairly straightforward. A medical expert witness can affirm the cost of the necessary treatments for recovery. Your lawyer simply adds this to the total expenses you’ve already accumulated.

If you’re not expected to fully recover, though, estimating your future medical needs becomes more complicated. Again, your lawyer enlists the input of medical experts, who created a detailed life care plan based on your medical records and the level of care you require.

How your lawyer proves the need for future medical care damages

Proving the need for future medical care after an injury is more subjective than proving past treatments. It typically requires expert testimony from a medical specialist who assesses your condition and projects your future needs. Additional experts may calculate the estimated costs. Defense attorneys often challenge these claims, making experienced legal representation essential for winning your case.

Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the future medical damages you deserve. If you have suffered a personal injury and require ongoing care, contact us online or at (615) 220-4180 for a free consultation.