If you were hurt in an auto accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation for both past and future medical expenses and other damages. At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad, our Lehigh Valley auto accident lawyers understand how to calculate future medical expenses and other damages such as lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. We help you understand how future medical expenses work, determine whether they apply in your case, and assist you with the car accident lawsuit process every step of the way.
What are Future Medical Expenses?
Future medical expenses are the anticipated costs associated with medical care and treatment an injured party may require in the future. These expenses often arise from suffering a catastrophic injury in an accident. Common future medical expenses include:
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Diagnostic testing
- Medication
- Nursing care
- Medical equipment
- Prosthetics and adaptive clothing
- Home modifications
- Mental health treatment
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Other necessary long-term medical care
Calculating Future Medical Expenses
Correctly estimating future medical expenses requires the knowledge and experience of a seasoned auto accident attorney. The extent of your injuries and how much future treatment will cost are both considered – for example, someone who’s paralyzed in a tractor-trailer accident would likely need costly long-term medical care and home modifications, while someone who fractured their wrist in a slip and fall incident would not.
To calculate future medical expenses, an auto accident lawyer may employ the services of medical experts and financial professionals to calculate future medical expenses. No two cases are alike, and there is no set formula for determining future medical expenses. An experienced auto accident lawyer with a track record of success in recovering future medical expenses and other damages will ensure all potential costs are taken into account and pursue the maximum amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Proving Future Medical Costs
Although most car accident cases are resolved out of court, an injured victim still needs to demonstrate why they’re entitled to future medical expenses in negotiations with an at-fault party’s insurance company. If a reasonable settlement can’t be reached, you may have to file a car accident lawsuit and prove these damages at trial.
Some effective methods of demonstrating future medical costs include:
Expert testimony – Your auto accident lawyer may hire healthcare professionals who specialize in the areas of medicine related to your injuries. They testify about the complications, causes, and consequences of your condition to show how it may affect your life and how much future treatment may cost.
Testimony from your doctor(s) – Your physician may also be asked to testify about your condition. They discuss your condition, its impact on your health, your potential timeline for maximum medical improvement (if applicable), and what kind of continuing medical care you’ll need in the future.
Recovering Other Damages
If you’re unable to work or can only do certain jobs because of your injury, an auto accident attorney may recommend pursuing future lost wages and loss of earning capacity. Future wage loss is measured by the actual earnings you will lose, while loss of earning capacity is measured by the potential earnings you’ll lose. Some other damages you may be entitled to receive include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Embarrassment and humiliation
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Punitive damages (in cases where someone’s behavior was egregious or intentional)
Your personal injury attorney can explain each type to you and how it may relate to your specific circumstances.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Allentown, PA
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an auto accident, the personal injury lawyers at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad are here for you. Our team includes some of the best auto accident attorneys in Pennsylvania. To schedule a your consultation with an auto accident lawyer in the Lehigh Valley, contact us online or call us at 610-867-2900. We offer several convenient locations for your convenience.