The six long-term care costs you should consider

Suffering a catastrophic injury can easily turn a victim’s life upside down. In addition to the immense changes a person will need to make to their life and daily routine, catastrophic injuries are often accompanied by massive financial costs that typically go beyond initial treatment and hospital expenses.

Whether a catastrophic injury occurs because of a doctor’s negligence, a work-related accident or a collision with another vehicle, there are six common long-term care costs to consider as these could lead to steep medical bills that should be covered by an insurance settlement:

1. Additional surgeries. Some catastrophic injuries, like scarring and disfigurement due to burn injuries, require multiple surgeries to correct, which can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. This is a burden no victim should have to bear, which is why it’s something to consider after an accident.
2. Psychological treatment. After particularly traumatic collisions and accidents, it may be necessary for a victim to see a psychologist to help them cope with the aftermath. However, these treatments are also an added cost that may be covered by an insurance settlement.
3. Rehabilitation and physical therapy. Some catastrophic injuries, like brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, can significantly impact a person’s ability to function normally. As such, those with these types of injuries generally need costly rehabilitation sessions in order to relearn how to do such things as walking or other daily tasks.
4. On-going prescriptions. Prescription medications are another sometimes overlooked expense, especially if a victim doesn’t realize how long they will need a prescription. Conditions such as chronic pain can last for the rest of a person’s life, leading to costly monthly prescription costs that should be addressed in a settlement.
5. In-home medical equipment. Depending on a person’s injuries, they may need additional medical equipment to help them function, such as braces, a wheelchair or in-home medical machines. Initially, these machines can cost thousands of dollars; but tack on upkeep costs and a person may be looking at a few thousand dollars each year in expenses.
6. Disability accommodations at home. Disabling injuries like paraplegia and quadriplegia may require the installation of things like ramps and lifts, which can be costly additions to any home. Necessary for a person to function normally, these accommodations need to be considered prior to accepting a settlement so as to ensure their costs are covered.