If you have a personal injury case that deals with medical damages, chances are that a medical cost assessment can make a big difference in your case. Still, not all assessments are the same, and it may be unclear which type of assessment you need for your case.
Keep reading to learn more about whether or not you need a Life Care Plan and when to get one from a Certified Life Care Planner.
What Types of Cases May Call for a Life Care Plan?
To decide whether or not you need a Life Care Plan, you should first consider whether or not your type of case would be supported by a Life Care Plan. While potentially any type of injury could call for a Life Care Plan, they are most common in the following types of cases:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective product injuries
- Premises injuries
- Workplace injuries
In particular, Life Care Plans are ideal for cases involving serious, life-changing injuries or a high-powered defense team.
What Types of Services Can a Life Care Plan Help Support?
Next, you’ll need to determine whether or not your personal injury cases will involve actions that a Life Care Plan can support. Each personal injury case is different, and not every case will call for the same services. Life Care Plans can be helpful in cases that involve any or all of the following:
- Settlement Negotiations – A Life Care Plan can help strengthen your position during negotiations.
- A Trial – During a high-stakes trial, a Life Care Plan can make the difference for your case.
- A Demand Package – When making a demand package, it’s important to have an accurate report of future medical costs.
- Settlement Requests – If you plan on making a settlement request, you will need to have accurate information on how much compensation your client deserves.
If there are other legal actions you plan to take during the course of your case, you can reach out to our Certified Life Care Planners to learn whether or not a Life Care Plan could help.
When Do You Need a Life Care Plan vs. a Medical Cost Projection?
Before you can be sure when you need a Life Care Plan, you’ll need to figure out whether or not you might need a Medical Cost Projection report instead. An MCP report is a shortened version of a Life Care Plan. Because of its smaller scope, an MCP report is also less costly than a Life Care Plan. It’s also essential to note that an MCP report can always be developed into a Life Care Plan later on as needed.
With all of this in mind, MCP reports are generally recommended for most personal injury cases. However, if your case deals with a catastrophic injury or major commercial interests, a Life Care Plan is probably the right choice.
When Is the Right Time to Get a Life Care Plan?
Of course, “When do I need a Life Care Plan?” has two potential meanings: “In what circumstances do I need a Life Care Plan?” and “At what point during my case should I get a Life Care Plan?” So far, we’ve primarily focused on the first one of those questions. However, the second question is also very important.
Our Certified Life Care Planners would be happy to discuss the potential timeline for your case but, in general, you should seek out a Life Care Plan toward the beginning of the injured party’s medical treatment. However, if treatment is already well underway for the injured party in your case, it’s not too late. We can still create an accurate Life Care Plan.
How Can a Life Care Plan Benefit My Case?
The last step to answering the question of “When do I need a Life Care Plan?” is to consider whether or not a Life Care Plan would be truly beneficial in your case. A Life Care Plan can provide the following advantages in personal injury cases, both defendant and plaintiff:
- Strengthen Your Case – The most fundamental benefit of a Life Care Plan is its potential to strengthen your case, whether in favor or against a claim for compensation.
- Do the Best for Your Client – By pursuing a Life Care Plan, you can rest assured that you are providing the best possible services for your clients.
- Avoid Undervalued Settlements – Without a Life Care Plan, you could be leaving money on the table. Make sure you make a sufficient claim.
- Avoid Excessive Payouts – A Life Care Plan can help protect your client from excessive claims for compensation from injured individuals.
- Enable Informed Decisions – Your clients needs an clear understanding of the cost of full compensation in order to make an informed legal decision.
- Take Quick Action – We pride ourselves on our efficiency and quick completion, and our ability to create reports in a timely manner can enable you to take nimble action on behalf of your client.
- Make Optimal Legal Strategies – Only with the most accurate, comprehensive data at your disposal can you create optimal legal strategies.
These are just a few of the key ways that a Life Care Plan can benefit your case. To learn more about the potential advantages a Life Care Plan can provide for your case, reach out to our Certified Life Care Planners.
Get an Accurate Life Care Plan From DM Medical Cost Consulting
Don’t worry: if a Life Care Plan isn’t necessary for your case, we will let you know. Here at DM Medical Cost Consulting, we’re all about helping our clients maximize their potential profits, and that means only signing clients up for services they truly need for the best results.
If you have a personal injury case with medical damages, a Life Care Plan might be the key to getting your client the compensation they need to recover. Don’t put your case at risk by failing to get the expert support you need. Reach out to the Certified Life Care Planners at DM Medical Cost Consulting today to get started on a medical cost assessment for your case.