How Do You Calculate Rehabilitation Costs?

Colorado statutes allow motor vehicle accident survivors to pursue compensation for damages, including personal injuries and the ensuing rehabilitation costs. It is crucial to correctly calculate these, because once a judgment is issued or a settlement is reached, there is no further opportunity to recover additional compensation for medical bills, etc. To avoid potentially having to pay for these out of your own pocket, we recommend the following steps.

1. Complete a Thorough Physical Examination

You will want to undergo a complete physical examination with a qualified specialist. This individual can determine the extent of your physical injuries and recommend treatment options. They can also provide a general prognosis and estimate of the time required to restore your health. Depending on your injuries, you may need to meet with several specialists, i.e., neurologists and neurosurgeons for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), orthopedic surgeons for broken bones, and even psychiatrists to treat PTSD.

2. Develop Your Treatment Team

You do not have to settle for secondary treatment as you seek to recover from your injuries. It is your right to choose medical care and physical therapy from a doctor or physical therapist of your choice. Establish a team of specialists who you are comfortable with and seek their expertise regarding:

• What therapies, procedures, and assistive living aides are required?
• How long do they estimate treatment to occur?
• How much do they estimate treatments, surgeries, etc., will cost?

3. Compile Your Information

Numbers on a page are easily challenged by opposing counsel. However, numbers on a page supported by expert opinion, current medical prices, and estimated inflation are much harder to dispute. Once you have everything from your team of specialists, your attorney can compile this information into a comprehensive package; one that establishes the extent and legitimacy of the damages and justifies the compensation award you seek.

4. Establish a Bottom Line and Don’t Budge

Insurers and opposing counsel will attempt to whittle away at the requested damages. You should never be pressured into accepting a lower settlement than what is required to restore your health. Establish a bottom-line figure with your lawyer and take it from there.

Do you have questions about damages in Colorado? Contact the legal team at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. We’ll be happy to arrange a consultation to discuss your case and the steps you should take following a motor vehicle accident.