[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/how-is-future-medical-care-calculated-in-catastrophic-injury-cases\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/how-is-future-medical-care-calculated-in-catastrophic-injury-cases\/","headline":"How Is Future Medical Care Calculated in Catastrophic Injury Cases?","name":"How Is Future Medical Care Calculated in Catastrophic Injury Cases?","description":"If you are pursuing economic damages after a catastrophic injury, you need to account for your future medical care instead of just your existing medical bills. But how do you calculate expenses that haven\u2019t happened yet?\u00a0 Continue reading below, where...","datePublished":"2025-01-22","dateModified":"2025-09-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/author\/dwolff\/#Person","name":"David Wolff","url":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/author\/dwolff\/","identifier":27,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eb92ad9148da9738cdecc03e560b071b8f516c5c0cd624aa4a60024d6548ee?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eb92ad9148da9738cdecc03e560b071b8f516c5c0cd624aa4a60024d6548ee?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/catastrophic-injury-case.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/catastrophic-injury-case.jpg","height":628,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/how-is-future-medical-care-calculated-in-catastrophic-injury-cases\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":592,"articleBody":"If you are pursuing economic damages after a catastrophic injury, you need to account for your future medical care instead of just your existing medical bills. But how do you calculate expenses that haven\u2019t happened yet?\u00a0Continue reading below, where you will find tips for calculating future medical care for your catastrophic injury case.\u00a0Factors To Consider in Your Future Medical Care CalculationsCatastrophic injuries are severe and life-altering. Many victims require years of therapy and treatments before they can assume some semblance of normalcy. Others never fully recover and must adapt to a \u201cnew normal\u201d with their injuries.\u00a0If another party was negligent in your catastrophic injury, you have the right to claim compensation that covers both your past and future medical expenses. Several factors may affect the cost of your future and ongoing medical care as you recover. Your attorney will consider the following factors in their calculations:\u00a0Your age and pre-existing conditions\u00a0Whether you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)The outlook for your long-term care, including the need for assistive devices, in-home care, etc.\u00a0Whether you will qualify for permanent disability or other government benefitsHistorical costs of those same treatmentsInflationYour life expectancy\u00a0Two Calculation Methods: Total Lifestyle Approach vs. Additional Expense Method\u00a0Attorneys typically use one of two methods to calculate future medical expenses as part of a catastrophic injury case.\u00a0The total lifestyle approach involves creating a life care plan that includes ongoing expenses and future procedures. The attorney uses this plan to calculate medical expenses.\u00a0The additional expense method itemizes temporary additional expenses to account for all the specific costs you may face during your recovery.\u00a0Using one of these methods can improve your chances of a judge accepting your future medical care calculations, as the court commonly uses and recognizes these methods.\u00a0How Do You Prove Future Medical Care Costs?\u00a0Calculating future medical care as part of your catastrophic injury case is one thing; proving those calculations is another. You need to show the court exactly how you reached that figure and prove that it will accurately account for your projected medical care costs.\u00a0Your attorney can use several forms of evidence to prove these calculations, including the following:Expert testimony from a medical professional: Your doctor can support your estimates of future medical procedures, therapies, and equipment you might need to accommodate your new lifestyle or continue your recovery over time. Other medical professionals can attest to the need for future treatments, including mental health therapy.\u00a0Examples of similar accidents and rehabilitation costs: Your attorney can refer to similar catastrophic injury cases to back up their calculations.\u00a0Documentation of past expenses: If you expect certain expenses to continue indefinitely, like rehabilitative therapy or medical equipment costs, your attorney can collect the receipts or bills for those expenses to support your calculations.\u00a0Expert testimony from economic professionals: An economic professional can explain how inflation and projected changes in the economy may also affect your medical costs over time.\u00a0Seek Assistance Calculating Future Medical Expenses in Your Catastrophic Injury Case\u00a0Accurately calculating your future medical expenses is an important step in seeking adequate compensation in your catastrophic injury case. Our attorneys at Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall, LLC, can help you build a strong case that adequately supports your expenses and damages. Let us guide you through the compensation process while you focus on your physical recovery.\u00a0Contact us today at 716-848-8000 or fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"How Is Future Medical Care Calculated in Catastrophic Injury Cases?","item":"https:\/\/www.buffalolaw.com\/how-is-future-medical-care-calculated-in-catastrophic-injury-cases\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]