Can I Get Compensation For Ongoing Medical Needs After a Car Accident?

A serious car accident can alter your life in an instant, with recovery often extending for years or even becoming a lifelong journey. While immediate medical bills are a primary concern, the prospect of ongoing medical needs can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Missouri law provides a path for victims to secure compensation for these future costs. If you’ve suffered long-term injuries, you have the right to claim compensation not just for your current medical bills, but for the full scope of your future medical needs. This process, known as future medical expense valuation, ensures your settlement reflects the true cost of your recovery. Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C. can help you address the legal complexities involved:

• Missouri uses a “fault” system, holding the at-fault party responsible for compensating injuries and damages from an accident.  
• Victims with lasting injuries can claim compensation for current and future medical expenses.  
• Accurately valuing future medical costs is crucial to ensure settlements cover ongoing recovery needs.  
• Proper documentation and professional evaluations are key to demonstrating future medical requirements.

How Are Future Medical Costs Estimated?

Future medical expense valuation is the legal process of calculating and claiming the ongoing costs required for your recovery. It’s a critical component of a personal injury claim, especially when injuries are severe and long-lasting. Missouri law allows an accident victim to seek compensation for all tangible economic losses, which include projected costs for therapy, future surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.

For catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord damage leading to paralysis, this valuation is essential. These conditions often require a lifetime of specialized care, and a proper valuation ensures that you will have the financial resources to manage your health long-term.

What Future Medical Costs Can Be Claimed?

The need for ongoing care after a car accident is common. Victims of severe crashes can face significant trauma requiring extensive, long-term treatment. A comprehensive claim for future medical costs can cover a wide range of necessary expenses.

These often include:

• Rehabilitative care, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy.
• Future surgeries that may be required to correct or manage your injuries.
• Ongoing diagnostic tests, like MRIs, CT scans and lab work.
• Prescription medications needed to manage pain or other symptoms.
• Psychological counseling to address trauma, anxiety or depression.
• Professional nursing or in-home caregiving services.
• Home and vehicle modifications, like wheelchair ramps, accessible showers or hand controls for driving.
• Medical equipment, including wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids or prosthetic devices.

How Is A Long-Term Medical Claim Proven?

Since the exact cost of future medical care isn’t known, building a strong claim requires substantial evidence and analysis. You cannot simply guess what your future needs will be; your claim must be supported by credible, professional opinions.

Expert witnesses, such as your doctors and other medical specialists, play a crucial role. They can provide testimony about your prognosis, the likelihood of needing specific future treatments and the expected duration of your care. Their professional judgment validates the necessity of the medical services you are claiming.

Why Is An Attorney Critical For Long-Term Claims?

Navigating a personal injury claim for long-term medical needs is complex. While financial compensation cannot erase a debilitating injury, it can provide the resources you need to live a more comfortable life and continue receiving necessary treatment. At Brydon, Swearengen & England P.C., our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping clients secure the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your rights and legal options.