How to Calculate Future Medical Expenses

In this article, we'll take you through the process of calculating future medical expenses and other considerations that could help strengthen your case.

What Are Future Medical Expenses?

Future medical expenses are money that can be claimed for future medical expenses but must be approved by a qualified medical professional. One instance where future medical expenses are effective is when an accident victim has reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) by the time their claim is resolved and would need money for future medical expenses.

Another instance is when a personal injury victim does not regain full functionality before their claims are resolved. As such, the court requires an official medical report by a licensed professional stating that the injuries are indeed permanent and will require extensive ongoing treatment.

For instance, someone who has been paralyzed as a result of an injury may need a lot of care in the future. The type of care required would need to be thoroughly documented by their life care partner. The life care partner lays out the treatments required for the remainder of the victim's lifetime and the projected reasonable costs.

Going to a doctor or other medical professional who is not specialized in permanent injuries may have detrimental consequences regarding your case. Such doctors may not be aware of the necessity of establishing future medical care. They may also use words in their report that may cause your claim to appear speculative rather than an expense that is reasonably certain to continue or occur in the future.

Examples of Future Medical Expenses

For the lucky few, post-injury medical trips involve a one-time quick trip to the doctor's office. Unfortunately, for thousands of people, this often means countless doctor's appointments that may run for months or even years.
Depending on the nature of your injuries, your medical care could involve a wide range of procedures, tests, medication, treatment, therapy, and adaptive equipment, all of which cost money.

Some of the most common medical expenses to look out for when calculating the cost of ongoing treatment include:
- Hospitalization
- Medication
- Diagnostic testing
- Medical equipment
- Follow-up care
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Nursing home expenses, and much more.

Calculating Future Medical Expenses

Like other personal injury cases, future medical expense claims can be settled either in or out of court. Regardless of the situation, your lawyer may advise you to wait until you've reached maximum medical improvement before you attempt to evaluate future medical needs. Essentially, future medical improvement means that an individual's condition is unlikely to get any better, even with ongoing treatment.

The approach your lawyer takes when calculating future medical expenses depends on your condition. Some of the most common approaches used to this effect include:

The Total Lifestyle Approach

The total lifestyle approach assumes that even after an individual reaches MMI, they may never achieve their pre-accident performance level. In this case, your lawyer may consult an experienced medical professional to create a 'life care plan.' They can then use this plan to calculate the expenses you will need to maximize your lifestyle over the course of your entire life expectancy.

The Additional Expense Method

The additional expense method is typically applied for semi-permanent injuries. This approach assumes that you will eventually recover from your injuries and regain normalcy.

Generally, your attorney consults with a medical professional and itemizes every additional expenditure to come up with a total claim for future expenses. If your attorney chooses to take this approach, you should make sure that you work with a reputable, experienced medical professional, as falsely assuming that you will fully recover from your injuries may land you an unsatisfactory settlement that will likely fail to meet your future medical needs.

Insurance Adjusters' Calculations

While no two insurance companies are exactly alike, there are certain similarities when it comes to how they handle future medical expense claims. For instance, most insurance companies regard future medical expenses as more speculative rather than actual incurred expenses.

They also take into account that some people make spontaneous recoveries and may not need to use the money predicted by their treating physicians. This means that insurance companies are more likely to compensate for incurred expenses rather than future medical expenses.

That's why it's always advisable to consult an experienced lawyer to help you navigate complexities in the case and increase your chances of getting appropriately compensated.

How to Prove Future Medical Expenses

One of the most important elements of any personal injury case is proving fault or, in this case, expenses. Having the proper evidence can greatly improve your chances of getting fairly compensated. Some of the most effective ways to prove future medical expenses include:

Expert Testimony

An expert witness is a person whose level of knowledge and skill in a particular field qualifies them to present their opinion about the facts of a case in a legal proceeding. In this case, a professional witness can testify about the causes and consequences of your condition.

Physician Testimony

Having an expert witness isn't always enough to seal the deal – you also need testimony from your physician. Your physician understands your case best and is better able to estimate your timeline for full recovery. They can also outline the timeline for full recovery and the level of specialized care you may need.

Make Your Post-Accident Life Easier

One of the greatest implications of a severe accident is its detrimental impact on the victim's post-accident lifestyle. While the law provides provisions where you can get compensated for ongoing medical treatment, you should do your due diligence to ensure you get proper compensation.

One of the most effective ways to do this is by keeping updated medical records and having a team of qualified attorneys and medical professionals to guide you through the process.