When a client comes to you with a personal injury, it can be difficult to fully comprehend the long-term medical, psychological, and economic implications of that injury without an expert - this makes having a board-certified physician life care planner on your legal team essential.
It’s important to understand the difference between a certified non-physician life care planner and a certified physician life care planner, however. The Certified Life Care Planner designation can be obtained by a wide variety of healthcare professionals. When a certified non-physician life care planner is involved in a case, they will often need to consult with physicians to support their recommendations. On the other hand, a certified physician life care planner has the advantage of making autonomous decisions and justifying their own conclusions but also collaborates with treating physicians when it may strengthen a case. A board-certified Physician Life Care Planner’s expertise and medical insights are invaluable resources for attorneys on either side of the aisle in personal injury cases.
Here are 5 reasons why a board-certified physician life care planner can be an invaluable asset to your team:
Accurately Assess Future Medical Needs
A board-certified physician life care planner can provide an accurate assessment of an individual's future medical needs, including evaluating the severity of the injury, medical care required for the future, and associated long-term costs. By understanding the specific treatment needed, a life care planner can provide a detailed report outlining the estimated cost of treatment and its associated timeline, which can be essential in determining the appropriate settlement or judgment value for personal injury cases.
Evaluate the Impact of an Injury on Daily Living
A board-certified physician life care planner can evaluate the impact of an injury on an individual's daily living activities. This evaluation is crucial in assessing the true cost of the injury, which may extend beyond the ongoing medical treatment and into difficulty maintaining relationships, being able to partake in hobbies enjoyed prior to the injury, and completing chores and maintenance tasks. By understanding the scope and impact of the injury, a board-certified physician life care planner is positioned to convey how an individual’s day-to-day life has been altered. Based on their findings, the physician may also make recommendations regarding other specialty evaluations that could benefit the client’s case in relation to their injury and its impact on daily living. These evaluations may include a vocational loss of earnings capacity assessment, neuropsychological assessment, and/or present value assessments.
Creating a Comprehensive Plan for Care
A board-certified physician life care planner can develop an individualized, comprehensive plan for care that outlines the necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation services, and any other services needed for an individual's recovery. This plan takes into consideration the individual's unique background, the extent and mechanism of injury, and their current abilities to make a plan for future care. By having a clear and detailed life care plan, the legal team is better able to represent their client’s needs within the legal system.
Providing Testimony in Court
A board-certified physician life care planner can provide expert testimony in court regarding the medical care required for an individual's future due to injury. They can explain in detail the specific treatments required, as well as discuss both the related estimated cost and the medical foundation behind recommended care. This testimony can be crucial in helping determine a settlement or judgment value for the case. By providing expert testimony, the life care planner can ensure that the injured individual's medical needs are truly understood and considered when determining compensation.
Ensuring Fair and Adequate Compensation
By consulting with a board-certified physician life care planner, you further support your efforts toward fair and adequate compensation for your client’s injuries. A life care plan takes into account all aspects of an individual's injury, including the long-term medical care required, the impact on daily living, and the potential for future complications. This ensures that your client is adequately compensated for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and any other necessary services.
For attorneys handling personal injury cases, a board-certified physician life care planner is an invaluable asset to your legal team. These highly trained medical professionals are uniquely qualified to assess and plan for the medical needs of individuals with complex conditions and disabilities, taking into consideration the medical care and long-term costs required for recovery.
At LCPMD, we offer specialized life care planning services designed to help you better understand the medical, psychological, and economic implications of both non-complex and complex injuries. Our team of experts is available to provide you with accurate assessments, comprehensive planning, and expert testimony to help support your efforts on behalf of your client.
Contact us today to learn more about the services our board-certified experts can provide for your personal injury firm.