Retaining experts in a cerebral palsy matter typically involves the causation physician, a pediatric life care planner, and an economist. The planner needs the functional classification, the current care regimen, and access to the physiatrist, orthopedist, and therapy team to project needs through each developmental transition.
Checklist
Confirm diagnosis, type, and functional classification from the records
Retain a life care planner with pediatric and cerebral palsy experience
Provide neurology, physiatry, orthopedic, therapy, and school records
Arrange planner contact with the treating physiatrist and therapy team
Coordinate the planner and economist on scenarios and public program offsets
Questions to ask the expert
How do you tie frequencies and replacement cycles to functional level and growth?
How do you address spasticity management such as botulinum toxin or baclofen pump care?
How do you distinguish publicly funded educational services from privately funded care?
Have you testified in cerebral palsy cases?
Timeline
60-120 days from retention to report, depending on physician conference scheduling.
Required documents
Pediatric neurology, physiatry, and orthopedic records
Therapy evaluations and individualized education plans
Orthotic, seating, and equipment records
Medication and spasticity management records
Description of daily care and family caregiving
Common pitfalls
Projecting today's regimen unchanged into adulthood
Omitting orthopedic surgery and equipment replacement cycles
Failing to address collateral-source rules for public services
Is an orthopedic surgery sequence part of the plan?
Where the treating orthopedist anticipates procedures such as tendon lengthening or hip surveillance and surgery, the plan lists them with timing, hospitalization, and post-operative therapy.
How are communication devices handled?
Augmentative communication devices are projected with the speech-language pathologist's recommendation, including replacement cycles, software, and training.
Contact our team to discuss how KW Life Care Planning can support your case with certified life care planning expertise. Request a Consultation or call (201) 343-0700.