FAQ

What is a life care plan?

According to the International Conference on Life Care Planning and the International Academy of Life Care Planners, “the life care plan is a dynamic document based upon published standards of practice, comprehensive assessment, data analysis, and research, which provides an organized, concise plan for current and future needs with associated costs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic and non-catastrophic injury or chronic health care needs.”

What types of cases are life care plans used for?

Life care planning was first used mainly in catastrophic cases, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn cases, and amputations. More recently, life care plans have also been developed in non-catastrophic cases, including orthopedic injuries and chronic pain cases.

Why are life care plans useful in a lawsuit?

The cost of future health care is often one of the largest components of economic damages in a lawsuit. Life care plans can be useful tools for understanding how a catastrophic injury is expected to affect an individual over time.

Do your life care planners work on plaintiff or defense cases?

Both. Our certified Life Care Planning experts have years of experience working with both plaintiff and defense cases, ensuring a thorough and impartial approach.

How do you build a life care plan?

We review records, conduct clinical interviews, consult with healthcare providers, and perform market-based cost analysis to build a comprehensive plan.

What records do you review?

Medical records are carefully reviewed to gather information relating to functional capacity, treatment course, and recommendations. Other important records include expert reports, correspondence between treatment providers, and employment records.

What determines whether an item is included in a life care plan?

All items listed in life care plans are considered medical necessities, related to the indexed incident, with a greater than 50% likelihood of being required in the future.

How are costs calculated?

All costs in a life care plan represent the current market or cash rate for the recommended goods and services. We perform case-specific research on the costs of goods and services in the individual’s geographic area.

Do you speak with the injured person's doctors?

When possible, corroborating and supplementary information is obtained by communicating with the injured individual’s treating physicians and/or consultative medical experts. We use a structured interview format or questionnaire specifically tailored to the injured individual to collect essential information from the physician in a timely manner.

What is a vocational rehabilitation assessment?

We provide vocational rehabilitation assessments of injured individuals to determine an individual’s rehabilitation potential and wage-earning capacity, and any changes in vocational status.

Who performs the assessments?

Our rehabilitation experts are licensed and certified professionals who have worked extensively in both clinical and forensic capacities.

What is an employability assessment?

An employability assessment is an initial vocational interview. It gathers information about the interviewee’s educational attainment, vocational training, work and earnings history, reported physical limitations, vocational interests, transferable skills, knowledge about searching for jobs, and values and motivation for work.

Why do you need records before giving an opinion?

A review of medical documentation and other records, such as functional capacity evaluations and depositions, provides the context needed to form opinions about pre- versus post-injury rehabilitation potential and employability. In general, the more information we have early in the process, the better able we are to see the whole story.

What tests do you use?

We routinely administer brief intelligence testing, achievement testing, interest inventories, and other vocational inventories to understand the individual’s current capabilities.

What is the difference between lost wages and earning capacity?

Lost wages is the total sum of wages an individual could have earned during a certain period but for an injury. Earning capacity is the ability to earn wages in the future, which may be diminished following injury or illness.

How do you determine lost wages?

We reference tax records, earning statements, and/or standardized research.

Does an injury always reduce earning capacity?

Not always. In some instances, an individual may have the opportunity to earn the same or more than before the injury. In other instances, an individual may be unable to earn his or her pre-injury wages or may be removed from the labor market entirely.

What is labor market research?

Labor market research involves searching extensively for specific jobs with potential employers in a specific geographic area. Our research team communicates with potential hiring sources to gather information on physical demands, environmental demands, job requirements, and any accommodations available.

What wage data do you use?

Among other data, we use the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), which includes the Occupational Employment and Wage Survey. The OES is a cooperative program between the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and individual State Employment Security Agencies.

Where have your experts testified?

Recognized as experts in vocational rehabilitation and life care planning, we have testified in state and federal courts, administrative hearings, and venues nationwide.

What types of cases do you have experience in?

Personal Injury
Automobile Liability
Jones Act/Maritime
Product Liability
Toxic Tort
Railroad
Longshore and Harbor Worker’s Compensation
State Worker’s Compensation
Medical Malpractice
Long Term Disability
Employment Discrimination
Social Security Administration
Domestic Relations (earning capacity of spouse)
Americans With Disabilities Act

Who do your experts explain findings to?

We communicate complex issues clearly to judges, juries, or mediators, so they grasp the key points in your case.

How do your experts prepare for testimony?

We go to great lengths to make sure we are knowledgeable about the relevant facts, applicable research, and pertinent case law, so we can educate judges and juries about the individual’s vocational prognosis and/or future medical needs.

Who do you provide case management services to?

We provide services to Workers’ Compensation claims representatives, third-party administrators, self-insured employers, programs and agencies handling both state and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act claims, and attorneys.

What case management services do you provide?

Our staff can provide these services to an injured worker or claimant following injury, occupational illness, or accident:

Vocational evaluation, testing, and job goal development
Job analyses (employer of injury)
Medical conference (clarify medical treatment, MMI, physical capacities)
Job placement and work adjustment
Job-seeking skills training
Labor market surveys (identifying job openings in the claimant’s geographic area)
Coordinating medical treatment recommended by a physician
Clarifying employability and expected earnings
Life care planning
Expert testimony

Are services tailored to each case?

Yes. Because we prioritize excellent customer service, we can provide individualized services tailored to our customers’ and clients’ needs.

How does career counseling work?

You work one-on-one with our experienced counselors to discover your unique interests, abilities, and priorities as the foundation for your career search. From there, we develop personalized strategies to identify promising career paths that align with your skills and goals.

What will I work on with a counselor?

Our counselors guide you through creating a compelling resume, mastering interview techniques, and developing effective job-seeking strategies.

How are appointments scheduled?

We offer flexible hourly appointments that can be scheduled through our site.

Who do you work with?

We work with people at different career stages:

Adolescents and Young Adults: We help plan future educational and career paths.
Middle Adults: We help during life changes such as divorce, unemployment, corporate downsizing, and career change.
Mature Adults: We assist people who are dissatisfied with their current career, as well as those looking to work after retirement.

Recognized by the organizations that define our professions