A serious injury can affect how you move, work and manage daily activities. You may need a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, hearing aid or another device to stay independent. These expenses may continue even after your initial medical treatment ends.
If another person caused your injury, you may wonder whether an injury claim can help pay for these needs. A claim generally requires evidence showing that your injury caused the need for the device. You may also need evidence that the device is medically necessary and that its cost is reasonable. The type of claim and the laws that apply can also affect what expenses you may recover.
Which assistive devices may qualify?
Assistive devices can range from basic equipment to highly specialized technology. Depending on the evidence and applicable law, a claim may potentially include costs for:
- Wheelchairs or mobility scooters needed for daily movement
- Prosthetic limbs needed after an amputation
- Hearing devices needed after an injury-related hearing loss
- Home equipment that helps you bathe, dress or move safely
- Communication devices needed after certain brain or neurological injuries
Keeping records of these expenses can help show what you paid and why you needed each device. Medical records can also connect the equipment to your injury and explain why the device is medically necessary.
What about future device costs?
Some assistive devices do not last forever. A wheelchair may need repairs or maintenance while a prosthetic device may require replacement as your needs change. Future costs may potentially include repairs, maintenance, replacement and medically necessary upgrades, not just the initial purchase.
Medical evaluations and other evidence can help estimate these expenses. For instance, a doctor or specialist may explain how often you may need replacement equipment or what upgrades may become medically necessary. Legal assistance can also help organize medical and financial evidence to support a claim for both current and expected costs.
These future expenses can matter when an injury affects you for years. Looking only at today’s bills may not reflect the full cost of adapting to a permanent disability.
Looking beyond today’s costs
An assistive device can be more than a one-time expense. It may help you work, travel, communicate or handle daily tasks after an injury. Looking at both current and future costs can show the full financial impact of your injury. Records showing why you need the device, how much it costs and how it relates to your injury can help support these expenses in a claim.