In life, there is nothing more joyful than the birth of a child, a moment in time to be cherished forever. However, for some unfortunate parents, that moment can turn terrifying and immeasurably devastating if there is a birth injury such as physical trauma or hypoxic/anoxic brain damage.

After the initial shock has passed, these parents

face a lifetime of physical, occupational, cognitive, and speech therapies for their child, as well as potential surgeries, tests, and endless doctor visits. How do parents plan for and manage the enormous expenses that come with this care.

A Life Care Plan is instrumental — this legal document serves as a blueprint for parents by outlining present and future care that will be required for their child, as well as the expenses associated with it.

Doctors, nurses, and certified life care planners collaborate and lend their knowledge and expertise to write the Life Care Plan that is personalized to the child’s medical condition.

The life care planner will study the child’s medical records, meet with the child and parents at their home, and speak to the child’s physicians, therapists, and other health care professionals to help determine the appropriate care for the child for the future, as well as expenses that need to be budgeted. This individualized plan will take into account whether the child’s injury affects just one part of the body, or if there are severe physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities. Where the parents live may also be a factor, as expenses in an urban area such as Baltimore or Washington, D.C. may be higher than a more rural area.

Some of the key elements of a Life Care Plan include:

• A detailed list of all health care providers caring for the child
• A list of all tests — blood work, X-rays, etc. — that will be necessary
• All medications the child is currently on as well as those expected in the future
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapies expected, as well as frequency (i.e. physical therapy three times a week for the first 18 years)
• Surgeries and medical procedures for the child’s lifetime
• Any home modifications — adaptive housing measures such as wheelchair ramps, shower bars, toilet modifications, and lower countertops
• Special educational requirements in the home or at school
• Transportation expenses such as a handicapped-accessible van
• Adaptive toys and clothing for daily life — writing aids to fine-tune motor skills, reaching aids for limited motion, weighted blankets and clothes
• Lost wages for the parents in order to take care of their child

Estimated expenses for all of these necessary elements are included in the Life Care Plan, and the life care planner will take into account inflation to ensure that the parents are not inadequately prepared for the inevitable rising health care costs.

Some Life Care Plans may also include developmental, physical, and occupational goals for certain therapies. A Life Care Plan may need to be adapted in the future as the child’s needs change, too, and expected expenses will include when the child reaches adulthood and may be on his/her own if medically possible.

It’s important that parents choose an attorney who specializes in Life Care Plans and utilizes Certified Life Care Planners to ensure that they are properly protected and prepared.

If you suspect that you or someone you love has suffered harm because of someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced attorney today.