Definition
A life care plan is a comprehensive expert document projecting the lifetime medical costs of a catastrophically injured person, prepared by a certified life care planner for use in establishing future economic damages.
In California Personal Injury Cases
Life care plans are essential in California catastrophic injury cases — spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, severe burn injury, amputation, and multi-trauma. The plan projects all future medical care needs including surgery, therapy, medications, equipment, home modification, and attendant care. A forensic economist calculates the present value of projected costs. Together, these experts establish the economic damages foundation for catastrophic injury trials and settlements.
California Law Context
California personal injury law applies this concept within the framework of pure comparative fault (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), the two-year statute of limitations (CCP Section 335.1), uncapped damages for non-malpractice injuries, MICRA for medical malpractice, the Government Claims Act for government entity defendants, and the full spectrum of California personal injury legal standards across vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, workplace accidents, and wrongful death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Life Care Plan in California personal injury law?
A life care plan is a comprehensive expert document projecting the lifetime medical costs of a catastrophically injured person, prepared by a certified life care planner for use in establishing future economic damages.
How does Life Care Plan affect a California personal injury claim?
Life care plans are essential in California catastrophic injury cases — spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, severe burn injury, amputation, and multi-trauma. The plan projects all future medical care needs including surgery, therapy, medications, equipment, home modification, and attendant care. A forensic economist calculates the present value of projected costs. Together, these experts establish the economic damages foundation for catastrophic injury trials and settlements.
How does this concept apply differently across the major personal injury categories in California?
Life Care Plan applies with some variation across California personal injury categories. In vehicle accident cases, it operates within the negligence and negligence per se framework governed by the California Vehicle Code. In premises liability, it interacts with the Rowland v. Christian duty of care standard. In product liability, it applies within Greenman v. Yuba Power Products strict liability. In medical malpractice, it must be evaluated alongside MICRA's specific rules for the medical professional context. Understanding how Life Care Plan applies to your specific injury category is essential to evaluating your California personal injury claim.