Making a Birth Injury Care Plan November 28, 2017.

If your child has a birth injury, a care plan helps you assess what you need to take care of them. Additionally, if you’re bringing forward a birth injury lawsuit, a care plan helps your attorney determine the total cost of medical care, special products, and services your child is going to need throughout their lifetime. Ultimately, the specifics of the care plan vary depending on the type of birth injury, but most plans share the following features.

Medical Care

This part of the care plan details the type of medical care your child is going to need throughout their life. Initially, it can be hard to pin down your child’s exact needs, but once you have a clear diagnosis and understand the scope of the injury, a medical professional can help you estimate your child’s future needs. In addition to medical care, this part of the care plan can also detail projections related to tutors and other professionals who are going to assist in your child’s care.

For instance, if your child has lost use of their arm due to nerve damage related to a brachial plexus injury, they are going to need medical care, occupational therapy, and medication. However, they are going to have very different needs than a child who has suffered debilitating brain damage due to lack of oxygen during delivery.

Home Care Plan

Depending on the extent of your child’s injuries, you may need to make modifications to your home. That can include adding ramps, putting in elevators, changing lighting to help with visual issues, or making a range of other modifications. You may also need to invest in a new vehicle or make changes to your existing vehicle. Your care plan should also take into account those projected costs.

Life Care Plan

In addition to planning for your child’s medical and current needs, you also have to think about their needs throughout the rest of their life. Will they be able to perform a job? Will they need special vocational training? When making a birth injury care plan, it’s essential to consider how the injury affects your child’s lifelong earning potential and their future quality of life in general.

In that vein, think about your child’s future home life. Will they need a long-term caregiver? Will they need a special vehicle or modifications for their own home? All of those elements need to be included as you draft a care plan for your child.

Parental Support

You also need to ensure that you get the support you need. In this section of the care plan, include costs for respite support or special caretakers, but also, remember to include lost wages for taking care of your child or attending support meetings with other parents.

Beyond all of these elements, many parents include a number of small details in their care plans. This includes small purchases such as padding for crutches or special eating utensils. However, it can also include extra costs related to taking vacations or doing other activities that become more expensive when you include someone with a birth injury.

A care plan helps you narrow in on the costs of your child’s birth injury, but the right lawyer can ensure that you have the funds to take care of the costs outlined in your plan. To learn more, contact The Mellino law firm at (440) 333-3800 today. We can offer you a free case evaluation and help you decide if you should move forward with a lawsuit.