A critical aspect of any birth injury lawsuit involves the estimation of the brain injured child’s future care needs. The life care plan is a tool that is written by a professional and often used by an economist to specifically identify all of the future care (medical and non-medical) needs of the injured child. The life care plan addresses the costs and frequency of the child’s needed goods and services over their lifetime.  It will project the needed equipment, replacement scheduled and maintenance.  In a birth injury case attendant care is often needed.  The plan will estimate how many hours per day care is anticipated and whether an RN, LVN or medical assistant is necessary.  Another big area in birth injury cases are the estimations of the physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy needs of the child.  The plan also addresses the number of physician visits required throughout the child’s life, adaptive equipment he or she may require in and around the home, home modifications, transportation needs and often much more. It is common for the life care planner to meet with the injured child’s family in their home to assess the extent of the child’s needs.  The plan is a collaborative effort that involves the life care planner as well as the multiple medical professionals involved in the child’s care.

If you have a birth injury case and need a life care planner, we would be happy to assist.

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