Services
Life Care Plans
Life Care Plans developed by VLCP, Inc. adhere to the Standards of Practice for Life Care Planners, Third Edition, developed by IARP, the International Academy of Life Care Planners, published in 2015. We continue with the definition adopted in 1998,
“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 injury or have chronic health care needs.”
A Life Care Plan provides a detailed summary of the current and future needs, as well as the costs, for individuals with chronic health care needs, catastrophic injuries and disabilities. We produce objective and evidence-based life care plans, addressing how prior medical history and life expectancy may impact projected needs and related costs. We then determine which costs should be attributed to the event prompting litigation. Our practice has prepared Life Care Plans for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, birth injuries, and other physical and developmental disabilities.
Life Care Plan Critique
When critiquing another Life Care Plan, each component of the Life Care Plan is thoroughly analyzed. Based on our training, knowledge, and expertise, we review the other side’s recommendations, including the frequency schedule of treatment and the costs. During this process, we conduct systematic research to determine the accuracy of any recommendations and associated costs. We will analyze the plan for accuracy of the true need for medical care, future interventions, home care, and other services. We will address life expectancy and what impact pre-existing conditions, if any, may have on cost attribution
Vocational Analysis
A Vocational Analysis evaluates the individual’s ability to work in the labor market, and the potential loss of access to prior employment due to the incident prompting litigation. When assessing vocational options, we consider factors such as age, educational level, work history, skills, interests and marketability. A Vocational Assessment is a critical component of a comprehensive assessment of the economic damages in both catastrophic and non-catastrophic cases. Our Licensed and Certified Rehabilitation Counselors have worked extensively in both clinical and forensic capacities. We provide Vocational Rehabilitation Assessments of injured individuals in order to determine an individual’s rehabilitation potential and wage-earning capacity to determine any changes in vocational status.
Research Support
We offer state-of-the art medical and rehabilitation research support services including literature searches, education and advice on how to utilize research in strategy. Evidence-based analysis of all elements in a life care plan are essential in order to provide an accurate assessment of special damages. Our life care plans are based on current research and, where possible, we coordinate with physician specialists, therapists, facilities, as well as the needs and desires of the family.
Expert Testimony
We take the role of expert testimony very seriously. We bring professionalism to each testifying opportunity. Our individualized experience enables us to communicate effectively the future care needs and rehabilitation potential of each case. We remain up-to-date on the latest case law relating to admissible testimony, and we are dedicated to producing reliable and valid work-product that can withstand challenges during testimony. We are confident that we can defend the reasonableness, necessity, and soundness of our opinions and conclusions. Members of our team have been accepted as experts in vocational rehabilitation and life care planning in state and federal courts and administrative hearings, and have testified in venues around the country.
Care Management
Our Care Manager is a Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager. She provides comprehensive services to individuals with catastrophic injuries, disabilities, with age-related issues and during life changes. She will help you navigate the this difficult terrain.
We provide a variety of services, which include the following: conducting comprehensive in-home assessments to identify problems, address safety and health care concerns; coordinate complex medical care and other services to provide the best quality of life available; provide advocacy; facilitate communication with medical professionals and family members; accompanying clients to medical appointments; advice on housing options; provide referrals; caregiver support and education.
Life Expectancy
Our board certified physician in internal medicine, hematology and oncology offers impeccable qualifications in analyzing the future life expectancy of individuals with chronic health care needs or catastrophic injury. The physician incorporates her understanding of premorbid conditions, current health status, social factors and present age to derive at an evidence based life expectancy of the individual. Since future life expectancy is the primary factor in determining the total costs to fund the Life Care Plan, an accurate and objective life expectancy analysis is of tremendous importance in the life care planning process.