After you have been in an accident, one of the last things you want to worry about is who is going to care for you in your time of need.
Suffering injuries after an accident is a tragic situation, but knowing that you will need long term care can be much scarier than you can imagine. It is important to understand what long term care is and what areas your settlement should cover before you accept an agreement with the negligent party.
What is long term care?
Understanding long term care will help you decide which areas you will need to address and cover in your settlement agreement. Long term care means requiring assistance for performing daily or anything needed to live a normal life. This can include any medical services to get through your daily activities.
Although you may be receiving a settlement for your injuries and medical expenses, if you have been injured from an accident where the driver was found negligent, you are entitled to a larger settlement if you require long term care.
What should my settlement cover?
If you have sustained serious injuries after an accident, then your settlement should cover your long term medical expenses. For example, any medical equipment you require or live-in assistance, including paying for a nurse, therapist or home health aide, can be included in a settlement if the negligent party is at fault.
If you have determined that you will need long term care, it may be helpful to decide what kind of help you need and what activities you cannot do on your own. For example, if you have issues doing the following:
- Eating
- Doing housework
- Getting dressed and showering
- Preparing meals
- Suffer any mental and emotional issues from the accident
These activities will require different kinds of assistance, so this can help you gauge what kind of help you need.
Understanding Florida Law
In the state of Florida, although all drivers are required to have insurance that will cover their own expenses in the event of an accident, this may not be enough to pay for long term care.
For many people, the assistance of an unpaid family member or friend is one of the best options for their recovery. In the state of Florida, you can still receive a settlement for these services even though a family member or friend isn’t typically considered “professional” assistance.
West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers
Suffering injuries after an accident can be traumatic enough, but requiring assistance to do your daily activities can make you feel completely helpless. At Fetterman & Associates, PA we want to ensure you receive the settlement you deserve not only for your injuries but so that you can live a happy and satisfying lifestyle. If you contact us online or at 561-845-2510, we can help you decide how to arrange a settlement that will suit all of your needs.
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