Retaining a life care planner in a personal injury case should follow a decision that future care is meaningfully contested. Early retention lets the planner inform the treating-provider conference, the referral for any functional evaluation, and medical records collection.
Checklist
Confirm the contested future care items
Send the engagement letter and retainer
Provide medical records, imaging, and the current treatment regimen
Schedule any needed functional capacity or neuropsychological evaluation
Set an initial call to align on methodology and the deliverable timeline
Preserve planner availability for deposition and trial
Questions to ask the expert
What is your experience in cases involving this injury type?
How will you obtain and document treating-provider recommendations?
What cost sources do you use for this geographic area?
How will you coordinate with my economist?
How do you handle a treating physician who has not projected future care in writing?
Timeline
Typical engagement from retention to report: 30-60 days. Rush timelines can be accommodated when records are complete and an evaluation is not required.
Required documents
Complete medical records
Functional capacity evaluation (if performed)
Current medication, therapy, and equipment documentation
Pharmacy and billing history
Deposition transcripts of the claimant and treating providers
Common pitfalls
Late retention compressing the evaluation window
Incomplete records leaving future care items without a physician source
Missing functional evaluation data needed to support attendant care or therapy
Scope ambiguity when an economist is also retained
As soon as it becomes clear future care is contested. Early retention lets the planner inform discovery and avoid gaps in the treating-provider record.
What if the treating physician has not written down a future care plan?
The planner conferences with the physician and documents the recommendations in writing, or, where that is not possible, relies on published clinical practice guidelines and states the basis clearly.
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.