RPC Certified Life Care Planners
Kim Beladi
BSN, RN, LNCC, CNLCP
Consultant
Susan Farris
BSN, RN, LNCC, CNLCP
Consultant
Hiral Patel
MHS, CRC, CVE, CLCP
Consultant
Michael Scullin
MHS, CRC, LRC, CLCP
Consultant
Elizabeth Wheeler
M.Ed., LPC, LRC, CRC, CLCP
Consultant
Misty Coffman
R.N., C.L.N.C., M.S.C.C., C.N.L.C.P.
Consultant
Gretchen Bakkenson
MA, C.R.C., C.L.C.P.
Consultant
Todd Harden
MA, LPC, CRC, CLCP, ABVE/F
Consultant
The cost of future health care is often the largest component of economic damages in personal injury cases. Quantifying these damages for a jury requires a life care plan — a detailed analysis of the type, quantity, timing and cost of the injured party’s current and future care needs. RPC has Certified Life Care Planners to prepare the life care plan and economic consultants to determine the discounted present value. Learn more about RPC’s certified life care planners, including their clinical background and areas of expertise, or call us at 512-371-8000 to speak to a life care planner.
In preparing a life care plan for an injured party RPC’s certified life care planners work with physicians to determine the services, equipment, and supplies an injured person will need for the remainder of his life to maximize his ability to function. We carefully research the prices of all items included in the life care plan. RPC economists then apply specific medical inflation rates and consistent discount rates to determine the present value cost to fund the plan. All life care plans and reviews include extensive documentation to support the positions taken.
RPC Life Care Plans & Review of Life Care Plans
RPC also works with defense counsel to review life care plans presented by the plaintiff. These reviews consider the need for certain treatments, the availability of less expensive alternatives to meet the plaintiff’s needs, prices, inflation rates and discount factors. RPC has prepared and reviewed life care plans for individuals with a wide range of major injuries. Each plan is unique to the needs of a specific person. Here are some examples:
- Plaintiff life care plan for a paraplegic attending college. Review of medical records to determine past, ongoing and future medical needs as well as resources required for transitioning to independent adult life while caring for her young daughter.
- Defense life care plan for a traumatic brain injured / paraplegic individual. Extensive research on his diagnosis and prognosis as well as alternative options for care available within the plaintiff’s community. Alternative options included such things as the cost of gym membership with a trainer instead of physical therapy for the long-term maintenance of strength and mobility.
- Plaintiff life care plan for a woman with physical limitations caused by side effects of a prescription drug. Life care plan included research for resources available within the community for specific life management needs.
- Defense life care plan analysis report for a young child who suffered cerebral palsy as a result of hyperbilirubinemia (kernicturus) as a newborn. Extensive research on the prognosis of a child with cerebral palsy and the optimal treatment, including frequency and duration for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The analysis report included examples of individuals with cerebral palsy who have led productive adult lives with appropriate support.
For more information, contact Athenna Dill, Personal Injury Case Manager, 512.371.8005, adill@rpcconsulting.com.
RPC Life Care Blogs
What is a Medical Cost Estimate and When Do You Need One Instead of a Life Care Plan?
Medical cost estimates (MCEs) and life care plans (LCPs) are reports prepared for a plaintiff or defendant in a personal injury case to estimate reasonable costs of future medical care. The difference in the cost of the two reports justifies careful consideration whether a full LCP is needed or an MCE will suffice. In this blog, we discuss what an MCE is and whether it is best to prepare an MCE or an LCP, depending on the facts of the case.
Considerations of Future Medications and Costs in a Life Care Plan
When projecting future medical needs and associated costs in life care plans, the choice between recommending generic or brand-name medications is an important one. The choice should be based on the factors of cost, efficacy, safety, and individual needs. In this blog, we discuss each factor. Unless an individual’s medical needs require a brand-name drug, the generic equivalent will usually be the rational choice.
Nine Questions to Ask Life Care Planners (Yours or Theirs)
Future medical expenses are often the largest element of economic damages in personal injury cases. The testimony of life care planners for the plaintiff and defendant can greatly influence the jury. Here are nine key questions you should ask any life care planner.