When you are involved in an accident that leaves you with injuries, it can be life-altering. Unfortunately, the damages you’ve endured can result in complications throughout your life, requiring additional medical care. If this is the case, understanding your legal options is critical. It’s important to understand that you may be entitled to compensation for future medical expenses. If you’re unsure how these are calculated, keep reading. The following blog and our personal injury attorneys in Baltimore County can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
What Are Future Medical Expenses?
When you sustain an injury due to the negligent actions of another person, it’s not uncommon to require medical care to help treat and heal the harm you’ve sustained. However, depending on the severity of the injuries, you may require additional or continual medical care for months and years following the accident. For example, broken bones, brain injuries, and spinal cord damage are all severe injuries that could require additional doctor’s appointments, surgeries, or physical therapy to reach full or maximum medical recovery.
If you file a lawsuit against the negligent party for the harm you’ve sustained, by the time your negotiations or trial begins, you may not be fully healed. As you’ll continue to require medical care, you can petition for the cost of future medical expenses, since you are not responsible for the accident that led to these injuries. However, it may seem impossible to determine the cost of treatment that has not happened yet.
How Is This Cost Calculated?
Determining the cost of future medical expenses can be incredibly complicated, as both parties will likely disagree on the amount, especially as the defendant will likely claim that future procedures or care are not necessary. However, to combat this, the courts will consider a number of factors and opinions. Generally, the most beneficial element in proving the need for future medical care is records from medical professionals.
When you sustain an injury, your care team can identify medical issues or complications that cannot be immediately resolved. This could be because they need you to heal from a different procedure or they notice the complications that have arisen and understand what care will be required to remedy the matter. As such, it’s imperative to understand that the court will heavily consider your medical records, testimony from your doctor about the specific nature of your injuries, and potentially the testimony of an expert witness who can talk about the care that could be required. With these in mind, your attorney can calculate the damages you can receive for the cost of future medical care.
As you can see, this is an incredibly complicated matter. As such, if you are injured, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi. Our team understands the uncertainty that can plague you as the victim of a personal injury, which is why we will do everything possible to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Connect with us today to learn how we can fight for you.
