Yes, mobility aids and wheelchair-accessible vans are covered in Joliet spinal cord injury cases as part of recoverable medical expenses and future care costs. These essential items qualify as compensable damages because they directly relate to injuries caused by another party’s negligence.
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury requiring mobility equipment, a spinal cord injury lawyer in Joliet can help you recover compensation for all necessary medical devices and transportation modifications.
Types of Mobility Aids Covered in Injury Claims
Wheelchairs represent one of the most significant mobility aid expenses. Manual wheelchairs cost between thousands, and power wheelchairs tens of thousands.
Walkers, canes, and braces provide mobility support for incomplete spinal cord injuries. Some individuals can walk short distances with leg braces and assistive devices. Transfer equipment helps you move between surfaces safely. These include:
- Transfer boards for sliding between the wheelchair and a bed or car
- Patient lifts for individuals who cannot assist with transfers
- Grab bars and rails for bathrooms and throughout the home
- Specialized slings and harnesses for lift systems
Orthotic devices and braces maintain proper body alignment and prevent contractures. Custom-fitted ankle-foot orthoses, knee braces, or trunk supports cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. These devices require periodic replacement as wear occurs or your body changes.
Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles and Modifications
Full-size accessible vans with wheelchair ramps or lifts cost much more than other vehicles, even when used. These vehicles accommodate wheelchairs and provide essential transportation for medical appointments, work, and daily activities. The cost of one can be covered with a successful spinal cord injury case in Joliet.
Conversion modifications to existing vehicles include lowered floors, ramps or lifts, wheelchair tie-downs, and hand controls. Professional conversions can cost a lot, depending on the extent of modifications needed. Not all vehicles can be properly converted, sometimes requiring the purchase of a new base vehicle.
Hand controls allow you to operate the accelerator and brake pedals with your hands when leg function is limited. Installation must be performed by certified technicians familiar with adaptive driving equipment.
Proving Medical Necessity for Equipment
Life care planners create detailed reports documenting all equipment and modifications you need. These medical professionals understand spinal cord injuries and what items are medically necessary for your injury level. Their analysis makes it difficult for insurance companies to challenge equipment costs.
Physician recommendations establish medical necessity for specific items. Your doctor explains how each piece of equipment addresses functional limitations caused by the spinal cord injury. Detailed prescriptions and justifications prevent insurance companies from claiming items are luxuries rather than necessities.
Occupational therapist evaluations assess your home and recommend modifications. These specialists identify barriers to independence and suggest equipment that improves function. Their reports support compensation claims for home adaptations and assistive devices.
Calculating Lifetime Equipment Costs
Replacement schedules for wheelchairs and equipment factor into total damages. Most wheelchairs need replacement every five to seven years due to wear, technological advances, or changing physical needs.
Technology upgrades become necessary as equipment advances. A manual wheelchair purchased today might need updating to a power chair if your condition worsens. Life care plans account for the potential progression of symptoms or reduced upper-body strength over time.
Multiple wheelchairs for different purposes create additional costs. Many individuals need both a standard wheelchair and a lightweight sports chair for exercise. Some require a power chair for community use and a manual chair for indoor use. Each wheelchair represents a separate expense.
Why Expert Testimony Proves Equipment Needs
Rehabilitation specialists explain how mobility aids and vans improve function and prevent secondary complications. They testify about the medical necessity of specific items and the consequences of inadequate equipment. Their expertise helps juries understand that expensive equipment isn’t a luxury but a medical necessity.
Equipment suppliers can testify about market rates, typical replacement schedules, and maintenance requirements. Their industry knowledge confirms that cost projections are reasonable and based on actual market conditions. This prevents insurance companies from claiming that estimates are inflated.
With 75 years of combined experience, our legal team understands how to present equipment cost evidence effectively. We’ve recovered over $100 million for clients by thoroughly documenting all medical needs and working with respected experts who provide credible testimony about long-term care costs.
Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C.
Spinal cord injuries create lifelong needs for specialized equipment and accessible transportation. If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in Joliet and need compensation for mobility aids, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, or home modifications, contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. for a free consultation.
We’ll work with life care planners and medical experts to document every piece of equipment you need and fight for full compensation to cover lifetime costs. Choose Charlie for representation that understands catastrophic injuries and fights for the resources you need to maintain independence and dignity.
