The Role of a Life-Care Plan in Your TBI Claim
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious injuries a person can suffer. TBIs impact every aspect of a victim’s life, from their ability to socialize to their career to how they process information. After such a catastrophic injury, patients and their families need to understand the personal and financial fallout to better prepare for the future. One way to do that is drafting a life-care plan.
What Is a Life-Care Plan?
A life-care plan is a document that explains how to address a TBI’s impact on his or her life, including disabilities, limitations, impairments, level of independence, and quality of life. The life-care plan will also explain what treatments, services, and supports the patient will require as he or she grows older. The goal of this document is to lay out the medical and financial impact of a TBI on the patient’s life, allowing doctors and family to plan for the future.
Altogether, a life-care plan for a TBI should include:
- A detailed report on the patient’s injuries and condition.
- Any potential complications and associated medical conditions a patient could develop based on life expectancy.
- Recommendations for treatments, medical equipment, support and medical care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and medication.
- Costs of present and future medical care.
How Does a Life-Care Plan Impact a Personal Injury Claim?
In a Denver personal injury case, a life-care plan can demonstrate how severe the plaintiff’s injuries are and how much compensation he or she should receive from the at-fault party. Defendants and their insurance companies like to argue that the plaintiff’s injuries (especially “invisible injuries,” like TBIs) are not serious and do not require significant financial compensation. Working with healthcare specialists and financial experts to draft a life-care plan can fight back against these arguments. A life-care plan serves as an objective analysis of the plaintiff’s injuries and can educate a jury about the impact of the defendant’s negligent actions.
Who Prepares a Life-Care Plan?
Life-care plans are often prepared by trained medical professionals, who understand the issues associated with TBIs. A life-care planner will work closely with the plaintiff’s doctors to fully understand how serious the TBI is and what treatments the patient will need in the future. Life-care planners must remain impartial throughout the entire process and may act as expert witnesses in personal injury trials to explain the real financial costs of the plaintiff’s injuries.
Who Should I Talk to About My Colorado TBI Claim?
After someone else injured you, it is important to discuss all of your options with a top attorney. At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., our Denver personal injury lawyers can sit down with you in a free consultation and explain how to get compensation from the party who injured you. Since 1981, our firm has advocated for injured clients throughout the country and has a successful track record in TBI cases.
If you suffered a TBI in Denver due to someone else’s negligence, we can explain how to develop a life-care plan for your future and fight to get you the highest possible award for your injuries. Call us today at (303) 759-9945 or toll-free (877) 433-3906 to get a free case evaluation.