Baby brain injury medical costs and birth injury settlement questions are common when families contact us following their baby’s traumatic brain injury. These questions usually exist because for many families, this is the first time in their life that they have had to deal with an issue such as this.
In this birth injury article, and supporting video, I will be discussing how birth injury attorneys calculate the medical needs for their clients and how this information can be used in settlement or mediation. Please remember that the information we are discussing today is general in nature and that each case and client must be assessed individually.
Understanding The Severity Of The Injury & A Possible Subsequent Diagnosis
One of the most important things to understand about this process is the severity of the brain injury. It can follow that the more severe the brain injury the more assistance a baby may need into the future. This is one reason why understanding the severity of the injury is important.
Not only is the severity of the brain injury important but figuring out the chances of a subsequent diagnosis can also help understand medical treatment and costs. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2003 a person with a cerebral palsy diagnosis would need around $1,000,000 for medical care and treatment on average. As we know, $1,000,000 in 2003 is not the same $1,000,000 in 2021.
Using a certified life care planner can help birth injury attorneys like myself figure not only the medical needs for a baby in the future, but the costs associated with equipment and treatment. This can be done by having the life care planner visit with the family and do a total assessment as to not only the medical care that may be needed, but other issues such as home renovations and vehicle retrofits, among other things.
Baby Brain Injury Medical Costs And Birth Injury Settlement
At the conclusion of the life care planner’s assessment, he or she will put together a report which will compile all the necessary information that is needed to give a picture of what is needed for the baby. An economist can be used to make sure we can assess the future costs associated with medical treatment, and equipment, among other things.
Armed with this information, the families can have a better understanding as to what to expect during a settlement or mediation conference. Having an idea as to what will be needed for your child based on their injury and disability allows parents to get a feel as to what numbers would be appropriate as to the value of their child’s claim. Add to that, their attorney will also be able to help provide pros and cons as to excepting starting positions during settlement/mediation.
If you would like to speak with me further about this topic my contact information is below. We speak with families all the time about hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy injuries, cerebral palsy diagnoses, meconium aspiration syndrome, and other birth trauma related injuries.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
1-833-4 BABY HELP