A life care plan is a comprehensive document projecting all the medical, rehabilitation, personal care, and support needs a TBI victim will require over their lifetime—along with the costs of meeting those needs. Life care plans are essential evidence in serious TBI cases, ensuring settlements and verdicts account for decades of future care.
What Is a Life Care Plan?
A life care plan is prepared by a certified life care planner (often a nurse, rehabilitation counselor, or other healthcare professional) who:
- Reviews all medical records
- Consults with treating physicians and specialists
- Evaluates the victim's current functional status
- Projects future needs based on injury, age, and life expectancy
- Researches costs for all identified needs
- Produces a detailed year-by-year cost projection
Components of a TBI Life Care Plan
Medical Care
- Physician visits (frequency and specialties)
- Diagnostic testing and monitoring
- Hospitalizations and potential surgeries
- Medications (current and anticipated)
Rehabilitation
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Periodic reassessments
Attendant Care
- Hours of care needed daily
- Level of care (skilled nursing, personal care aide)
- Respite care for family caregivers
Residential Needs
- Home modifications for accessibility
- Residential care facility if needed
- Day programs
Equipment and Supplies
- Durable medical equipment
- Communication devices
- Adaptive equipment
- Replacement schedules
Transportation
- Accessible vehicle or modifications
- Transportation services if unable to drive
Case Management
- Coordination of multiple providers
- Advocacy and care oversight
Why Life Care Plans Matter
- Comprehensive documentation – Ensures nothing is overlooked
- Expert credibility – Plans prepared by qualified professionals carry weight
- Jury understanding – Translates complex needs into understandable projections
- Defense rebuttal – Forces defense to specifically contest identified needs
Conclusion
Life care plans translate TBI's lifelong impact into concrete future needs and costs. Without a comprehensive life care plan, TBI victims risk settlements that fail to cover care they'll need for decades.