Inside: The Hidden Lifestyle Costs of a Personal Injury. Collaborative post.
If you have been hurt in an accident, you are probably focused on your recovery. If your injuries are severe, you may be wondering how long your recovery will take.
However, severe injuries can have long-term consequences that extend far beyond your medical bills and not being able to work. It is important not to underestimate how accidents and injuries disrupt your everyday life.
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If you have permanent disabilities or medical issues because of the accident, your settlement may not cover all the costs. This means that while insurance companies usually pay personal injury damages, they may not cover all the hidden expenses of adjusting to a new way of living.
You must calculate these expenses before you seek compensation. Otherwise, you will likely not demand enough to cover everything that needs to be done. Keep reading to learn more about how you will need to adapt and how to ensure your settlement covers all the costs.
Home Modifications and Improved Accessibility
If you suffer a loss of mobility because of your injuries, you will have to modify your home. Older Florida homes are not built to accommodate things like wheelchairs and walkers. If this is the case for you, you will have to ask for estimations on how much it will cost to do the following:
- Install a ramp or stairlift if you will be in a wheelchair permanently
- Widen doorways throughout your house to ensure you can get where you need to go
- Remodel all your bathrooms to add grab rails and bars, converting your showers to walk-in versions and adding seating
- Lower countertops, sinks, cabinets, etc., so you can reach them
- Add non-slip flooring and handrails throughout the house
House modifications do not come cheap. Even if you add a basic wheelchair ramp, you must pay between $1,000 and $3,000. A stairlift can cost you more than $25,000.
You must pay for these modifications if your settlement only covers medical expenses. That could put you in a dire financial situation just to make your house livable.
Transportation Challenges
If your injuries paralyze you, you will not be able to drive your old car. Florida’s public transportation is limited in many areas so that you will be stuck in your house.
Depending on your injuries, you may need to invest in a modified car with hand controls. Your new car will also need to accommodate your wheelchair.
If you cannot steer a car, you may need to rely on a personal driver or rideshare services. In some cases, you may need paratransit or specialized medical transport services.
A wheelchair-accessible, modified vehicle can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000. That is a lot of money, even if you have savings.
Again, if your insurance settlement only pays for medical expenses and lost income, you will find it tough to find the extra money for your transportation needs. What are the chances you can pay for home modifications and a new, specialized car out of pocket?
Personal Care Services
Your injuries will likely prevent you from caring for yourself. You may struggle to get into the shower or use the toilet. You will most probably not be able to cook or clean.
This can become very frustrating quickly, and you will have no choice but to get a live-in carer. A home health aide in Florida can cost you more than $2,400 part-time.
Even if you have a family member to help you, they will have to quit or reduce their work hours. You would have to compensate them for this.
These expenses are another part of your settlement that insurance companies will not compensate unless you stipulate them upfront.
Mental Health and Emotional Impact
With all of the modifications and adapting you have to do, you may neglect looking after your mental health. The emotional toll of a severe personal injury cannot and should not be ignored.
You may not fully realize it at first, but you may experience the following:
- Depression or anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of self-esteem because you are no longer independent.
- Strained relationships with your loved ones.
If any of these scenarios apply to your situation, you need professional mental health care. Unfortunately, these services are not cheap either. The average cost of therapy in Florida can be up to $200 per session. You may also need long-term care to ensure you fully recover from emotional distress.
While an insurance company may cover initial treatments and sessions, ongoing coverage may be limited.
Other Factors to Consider
There are several other ways in which a personal injury can disrupt your lifestyle. You may no longer be interested in previous beloved activities and hobbies. This is called ‘loss of enjoyment’ and can further affect your mental well-being and quality of life.
If you need follow-up surgeries, physical therapy, medications, or prosthetics, these costs will add up, too. It will add to your financial stress if you can no longer work or can only work fewer hours.
Even if your company offers workers’ compensation benefits, it will likely not come close to matching your pre-injury earnings. Moreover, these benefits do not usually account for future lost earning potential.
It is also important to note that your lawyer must be paid. Whether you pay them on a contingency basis or not, other expenses should be considered. These include the administrative fees associated with filing a case, court filing fees, and hiring expert witnesses.
How to Seek Full Compensation for Hidden Costs
If you are pursuing a personal injury claim, you must consider all these hidden costs. If you work with your lawyer, you can calculate all the possible expenses resulting from your injury and demand a settlement that covers everything.
You must work with an experienced personal injury lawyer to get fair compensation. You must also document all your lifestyle-related expenses and potential expenses.
When you get a settlement, ensure it covers everything you need to do. Getting expert opinions on how much lifestyle adjustments will cost you is crucial. This will help you make the best decisions.
Your injuries will affect not only your finances but also your health. They will inevitably change your life. If you stay aware of this, you can better prepare for future financial stability while trying to recover.