Can a Car Accident Claim Include Future Medical Expenses in Missouri?
A serious car accident can leave victims with injuries that require medical care long after the initial emergency has passed. Physical therapy, follow-up appointments, additional surgeries, prescription medications, and other treatments can create substantial expenses over time.
If another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for future medical expenses as part of your Missouri car accident claim.
Labovitz Law Firm can explain what these damages cover, how they are established, and what evidence may support them. This information can help you prepare for the financial challenges that follow a crash.
Can You Recover Future Medical Expenses After a Missouri Car Accident?
Yes. In Missouri, an injured person may seek compensation for future medical expenses when the evidence establishes that additional care will be needed because of the accident.
Unlike past medical expenses, which involve treatment that has already occurred, future medical expenses account for reasonably anticipated healthcare needs. These costs may be considered when evaluating the full extent of an injured person’s damages.
However, compensation is not automatic. The claim must have evidence that shows that the anticipated treatment is related to the accident. This means the evidence reasonably supports the projected expenses.
What Types of Future Medical Expenses Can Be Included?
The expenses that may be included depend on the injury, the recommended treatment, and the available evidence. Potential costs may include:
- Additional surgeries: Procedures needed to repair injuries or address complications.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation: Ongoing treatment to restore mobility, strength, or function.
- Follow-Up Medical Appointments: Visits needed to monitor an injury or manage a lasting condition.
- Prescription Medications: Medication needed to manage pain or treat accident-related conditions.
- Medical Equipment: Braces, mobility aids, or other necessary equipment.
- Long-Term Care: Assistance or medical services needed because of lasting impairments.
For example, if you suffer a serious knee injury in a collision, you may need months of rehabilitation and eventually require another procedure. If medical evidence supports the need for that treatment, its anticipated cost may be considered in your claim.
How Do You Prove Future Medical Expenses in Missouri?
Because future treatment has not yet occurred, establishing its likely cost requires more than estimating what might happen. The evidence should explain why the treatment is needed, how it relates to the accident, and what it is expected to cost.
1. Medical Records and Treatment Recommendations
Medical records can document the original injuries, the treatment already provided, and any continuing symptoms. A treating physician may explain whether additional treatment is anticipated and why it is medically necessary.
2. Medical Opinions About Future Care
A medical professional’s opinion can help establish whether future surgery, rehabilitation, medication, or other care is reasonably necessary. Their opinion should be based on your condition and medical findings rather than speculation.
3. Estimates of Future Treatment Costs
Medical providers, billing records, and other appropriate documentation may help establish the expected cost of future care. In cases involving extensive or lifelong treatment, additional analysis may be needed to estimate the overall financial impact.
The amount of evidence needed depends on the nature of the injury and the treatment being claimed. Clear documentation can help explain why the requested compensation reflects anticipated medical needs.
How Do Insurance Companies Evaluate Future Medical Expenses?
Insurance companies may scrutinize projected medical costs because the expenses have not yet been incurred. An insurer may question whether a procedure is necessary, whether the treatment is connected to the collision, or whether the projected cost is reasonable.
For this reason, you should keep copies of medical records, treatment recommendations, prescriptions, and cost estimates. When you follow medical advice and attend recommended appointments should also be documented over the course of your recovery.
It is important not to accept a settlement without considering whether future treatment may be necessary. Depending on the settlement terms, resolving a claim may prevent you from seeking additional compensation later for injuries covered by the agreement, even if your medical needs change.
What Factors Can Affect the Amount of Compensation?
The value of future medical expenses varies from case to case. Several factors may influence the amount that can reasonably be claimed:
- The severity and expected duration of the injuries.
- The type and frequency of anticipated medical treatment.
- The estimated cost of future procedures, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Whether the injuries are expected to cause lasting complications.
- The strength of the medical evidence supporting the projected expenses.
Missouri law also recognizes that compensation must be supported by evidence. In
Kramer v. May Lumber Co., the Missouri Court of Appeals discussed the requirement that future consequences be reasonably certain rather than merely possible. The case illustrates why a well-supported medical prognosis can matter when seeking damages for future care.
Should You Include Future Medical Expenses in a Settlement?
If you are negotiating a settlement after a car accident, it is important to consider both the medical bills you have already incurred and the treatment you may need in the future.
Settling before the long-term effects of an injury are understood can create financial difficulties if additional treatment becomes necessary. Once a settlement and release are finalized, recovering additional compensation for the same injuries may be difficult or impossible.
Before agreeing to a settlement, consider discussing your prognosis, anticipated treatment, and projected costs with your healthcare providers and attorney. This can help you make a more informed decision about whether an offer accounts for your likely medical needs.
Get Help With Your Missouri Car Accident Claim
Future medical expenses can represent a significant portion of the financial impact of a serious collision. Medical records, treatment recommendations, and reliable cost estimates can help establish the care you may need and the compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
If you were injured in a Missouri car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you do not have to navigate the claims process alone.
Victims of car accidents in Missouri should
contact Labovitz Law Firm for help. The firm can review your circumstances, explain your legal options, and help you understand how future medical expenses and other accident-related losses may factor into your claim.
