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It can be difficult to determine how much money you need for ongoing medical care after an injury. But it’s more important that you don’t bear the financial responsibility for another’s negligent actions.
The liable party has a vested interest in settling the matter quickly and for the least amount possible because if you agree, that’s all the compensation you can recover. So when discussing settlement options, it’s wise to consider all your future medical needs. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can help evaluate future medical costs based on your injuries.
What Is Future Medical?
Future medical includes all the medical expenses you may incur over the weeks, months, or years following your injury.
The most common future medical costs are:
Future Doctor’s Visits & Follow-Ups
Even if you were treated in the emergency room or at urgent care, you would likely need to follow up with your primary care physician. You may even have to see them multiple times over months or years until your medical conditions or injuries are fully resolved.
Physical Therapy
If your doctor refers you to physical therapy to help you recover after a serious injury, you should get an estimate of how many future visits are expected. Sometimes your plan will last for a specified amount of time, and then, if you aren’t fully recovered, you will need more therapy. It’s essential to consider this possibility when determining the total future cost.
Prescriptions and Over-the-Counter Medications
You may be prescribed pain medications, steroids, muscle relaxers, or other medications that you need to take for your injuries to heal. These can be expensive, even if you have health insurance to help cover some of the cost. Over-the-counter medications, such as Advil, Advil, ace bandages, and other items can add up.
Potential Future Surgeries
You may need additional surgeries to correct problems caused by your injury. Insurance companies are reluctant to address future operations and procedures, but a personal injury and other experts can include them in your claim.
Using Experts to Estimate Future Medical
A personal injury lawyer can talk to your doctor, physical therapist, home health aide, and the other people involved in your care to evaluate future medical needs.
An attorney may also consult third-party experts to identify and estimate medical care in the future, including:
- Doctors
- Surgeons
- Specialists
- Nurses
- Physical therapists
- Mental health providers
- Vocational therapists
What If I Fail to Consider Future Medical in My Settlement?
An insurance company will not ask if they can provide additional compensation. Settlements are binding legal agreements, and you usually cannot seek other damages for a claim that has been settled.
If you fail to consider future medical costs, you will have to pay for them yourself. Most people fail to understand the full impact of future medical costs. A personal injury lawyer can help estimate these anticipated costs and seek appropriate damages.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
In addition to past and future medical costs, a personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages for lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of consortium (spousal relationship), pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, disability, and property damage.
Get a free consultation about your medical costs and other questions you may have. Contact an Attorney David I. Fuchs today or use our online contact form to learn more.
Written By David I. Fuchs
David I. Fuchs is a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney with over 36 years of experience and hands-on experience with more than 6,000 cases. He is the founder of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A., and represents victims of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents with compassion and skill. David holds a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law and a B.A. from New York University.
