What is a life care plan and why does it matter in Los Angeles injury cases?

A life care plan is a medically grounded roadmap of the goods and services an injured person will reasonably need over time (e.g., therapies, medications, equipment, home care) and the associated costs. In LA cases it supports proof of future medical expenses and informs overall case valuation and settlement strategy. California law permits recovery of future detriment that is reasonably certain to occur (Civ. Code §§ 3281, 3283). Courts expect reliable methods and data tailored to the person and local market.

Who prepares a life care plan, and what credentials should I look for?

Plans are typically prepared by certified life care planners (e.g., CLCP, CNLCP) with clinical backgrounds such as nursing, rehabilitation, or case management. Look for experience with your injury type, use of treating provider input, LA‑specific pricing, and transparent methods that satisfy Evidence Code § 801 and California’s Sargon reliability standard.

When can I recover future medical expenses in California?

Future medical expenses are recoverable when supported by substantial evidence that the care is medically necessary and reasonably certain. Courts look for treating provider opinions, functional assessments, itemized projections of frequency, unit cost, and duration, and an explanation of how totals are reduced to present cash value consistent with CACI jury instructions and Evidence Code § 801.

Are billed hospital or provider charges enough to prove future medical costs?

No. California decisions restrict reliance on undiscounted billed amounts. Howell limits past medicals to amounts paid or incurred, and Corenbaum holds that billed charges for past care are not evidence of the reasonable value of future care. Future projections should rely on appropriate data such as LA market rates, Medicare fee schedules, private payer ranges, and vendor quotes.

How are local Los Angeles prices incorporated into a life care plan?

A reliable plan uses verifiable LA County pricing: Medicare fee schedules as a benchmark, facility data, and at least two competitive vendor quotes for DME, transportation, and home modifications. It should reflect where care will occur (e.g., Santa Monica vs. San Fernando Valley) and realistic hourly rates for home health and attendant care in that neighborhood.

Which injuries most often require a life care plan?

Catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, severe burns, amputations, and complex regional pain syndrome often require detailed plans. Moderate injuries can also benefit when there are ongoing therapies, procedures, or assistive needs. The scope should match the medical evidence and prognosis.

How do comparative fault and mitigation affect my recovery?

California follows pure comparative fault, so your total economic and noneconomic damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Separately, you must reasonably mitigate damages by following medical advice and pursuing indicated care; unexplained noncompliance can reduce certain claimed costs. Thorough documentation of treatment adherence strengthens your case.

What role can structured settlements play with a life care plan?

Structures use annuities to fund future care streams, matching the plan’s payment schedule. They can provide lifetime security, help address the risk of outliving a lump sum, and may have federal tax advantages in many personal injury cases. Structure design should align with the plan’s timing and medical inflation assumptions.

What damages can families recover in a California wrongful death case?

Heirs may recover the economic support the decedent would have provided and noneconomic losses such as loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support (CCP §§ 377.60–.61). Life care plans are not typical because the injured person has passed, but economic analyses of household services and financial support often parallel life care methods.

What is a survival action, and how does it differ from wrongful death?

A survival action belongs to the decedent’s estate and seeks damages the decedent could have recovered had they lived, subject to CCP § 377.34. It can include pre‑death medical expenses and other losses incurred before death. The scope of recoverable items (including pain and suffering) is governed by the current statute, so counsel should confirm the latest version.

How long does it take to prepare a life care plan, and what does it cost?

For severe injuries, gathering records, conducting assessments, interviewing providers, and sourcing LA pricing typically takes several weeks to a few months. Expert fees vary with complexity and can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Fees are often advanced by counsel and may be recoverable as case costs depending on outcome and fee agreement.

How do defendants commonly challenge life care plans in LA courts?

Typical attacks include disputing medical necessity, lowering frequency or duration, substituting lower but reasonable market rates, extending equipment replacement cycles, and using different inflation or discount rates. A plan that ties each item to treating provider recommendations, LA market data, and transparent assumptions minimizes these vulnerabilities.

Will insurance or Medicare rates be considered, and what about liens?

Courts look for evidence of reasonable value, so experts often consider Medicare fee schedules, LA private payer data, and provider quotes. After settlement or judgment, healthcare liens (Medicare, Medi‑Cal, ERISA plans, private insurers) must be resolved. Medicare’s interests must be protected under the Secondary Payer rules; while liability MSAs are not mandated like in workers’ comp, counsel should still account for future Medicare‑covered care.

What data sources support reliable projections?

Common sources include the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, California facility data, local vendor quotes, BLS medical CPI for inflation, U.S. Treasury yields for discounting, CDC/SSA life tables for life expectancy, and O*NET/BLS for vocational data. Using multiple, cross‑checked sources strengthens admissibility and credibility.

Do LA neighborhoods really change plan costs?

Yes. Provider availability, travel time, home modification feasibility, and labor rates for home health vary among areas like Downtown LA, West LA, Santa Monica, the Valley, and Long Beach. Plans should reflect where the injured person actually receives care and lives, using neighborhood‑consistent pricing and realistic logistics.

How do evidentiary standards differ in California state and federal courts?

California state courts apply Sargon and Evidence Code § 801, focusing on whether methods and data are of the type reasonably relied upon and not speculative. Federal courts apply Daubert/Kumho, which similarly scrutinize reliability and fit. Either forum requires transparent methods, sufficient data, and a reasoned application to the case facts.

How do Texas and Illinois approaches to medical damages compare with California?

Texas limits recovery for past medical expenses to amounts actually paid or incurred (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.0105), and future medicals require reliable evidence of necessity and cost. Illinois law on proving the reasonable value of medical services differs procedurally and can permit various forms of evidence depending on circumstances. Regardless of jurisdiction, courts increasingly demand data‑driven foundations for future cost projections.

What common pitfalls should we avoid with a life care plan?

Avoid relying on list prices alone, omitting treating provider support, ignoring local availability and travel realities, skipping equipment replacement cycles, and using undisclosed or unjustified inflation/discount assumptions. Ensure the life care plan aligns with vocational and economic analyses and addresses mitigation. Keep documentation organized and sources verifiable.

What should I do now, and are there deadlines?

Act quickly: preserve evidence, obtain medical care, keep all bills and records, photograph injuries and home needs, and consult a lawyer early. Deadlines vary; personal injury and wrongful death have statutes of limitations, and claims against public entities often require an administrative claim within six months. A Los Angeles attorney can confirm which deadlines apply to your case.

How does GoSuits handle life care planning and valuation in Los Angeles?

We combine attorney‑led strategy with technology that organizes records, converts treatment plans into itemized future care schedules, and runs valuation scenarios using LA market pricing. Clients work directly with a designated attorney from intake through trial preparation. We coordinate with rehabilitation and economic experts to support life care plans, future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and overall case valuation. Past results do not guarantee outcomes.

Is this FAQ legal advice?

No. This is general information for educational purposes. Laws, procedures, and damages rules change and depend on specific facts. Consult a qualified Los Angeles personal injury attorney for advice about your situation.

Life Care Planning for Los Angeles Injury Cases

Q: How is the present value of future costs calculated?

The planner schedules each item over the expected duration, decides whether to model nominal dollars (with inflation) or today’s dollars (using a real discount rate), and discounts future streams using conservative rates often informed by U.S. Treasury yields. Good practice includes sensitivity analysis showing how results change with reasonable inflation and discount rate assumptions.

Q: How do loss of earning capacity and vocational rehabilitation fit with a life care plan?

They address the work side of damages. A vocational expert evaluates restrictions, transferable skills, viable occupations in the LA labor market, and worklife expectancy. An economist then projects lost earning capacity and discounts it to present value. These analyses should align with the functional limitations described in the life care plan.

Q: How are noneconomic damages evaluated alongside a life care plan?

Noneconomic damages (pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment, etc.) are awarded based on the evidence and jury instructions; there is no formula. While a life care plan is economic, its clinical detail helps explain day‑to‑day impacts that can inform noneconomic awards. The jury ultimately decides a reasonable amount under California law.

What is a life care plan in Los Angeles injury cases, and why does it matter?
When can you recover future medical expenses in California courts?
How is a life care plan built step by step for LA County cases?
What data sources support medical cost projections in Los Angeles?
How is the present value of future costs calculated from a life care plan?
How do California rules impact evidence of medical bills and future costs?
How do loss of earning capacity and vocational rehabilitation fit into a life care plan?
How are non-economic damages evaluated alongside a life care plan?
How do wrongful death and survival actions use life care planning in LA cases?
How do defendants challenge life care plans in Los Angeles courts?
How do comparative fault and mitigation affect a life care plan’s value?
How do structured settlements interact with a life care plan?
How do federal, Texas, and Illinois approaches to future damages compare with California?
What common pitfalls should you avoid when using a life care plan?
How does GoSuits approach life care planning and valuation in Los Angeles?
Resources

What is a life care plan in Los Angeles injury cases, and why does it matter?

A life care plan is a structured, medically grounded roadmap that projects the goods and services someone will need after a serious injury and the associated costs over their lifetime. In Los Angeles, CA, life care planning is often used in catastrophic injury cases like spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury to support recovery of future medical expenses, rehabilitation, home modifications, in‑home attendant care, and related needs. The plan becomes a foundation for personal injury case valuation, informing both economic damages calculation and settlement strategy.

California law allows recovery of future damages that are reasonably certain to occur. The California Civil Code provides that damages may be awarded for detriment suffered and for detriment that is certain to result in the future, which is the legal basis for using life care plans in court for future medical expenses Los Angeles claims. See California Civil Code sections 3281 and 3283.

For plaintiffs, a well-supported plan helps quantify the present value of future costs with clarity. For defendants, careful review and testing of the methodology helps identify overstated or speculative items. Either way, courts in Los Angeles County expect reliable methods and data inputs that fit the facts of the case.

Local context matters. Life care plan valuation can vary across LA County communities such as Downtown LA, West LA, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, Long Beach, San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Culver City, Inglewood, and Torrance due to differences in provider pricing, availability of services, and housing conditions for home modifications and attendant care.

Life Care Planning for Los Angeles Injury Cases | GoSuits Infographic

When can you recover future medical expenses in California courts?

California courts allow recovery of future medical expenses when there is substantial evidence that such expenses are reasonably certain to be incurred. Evidence typically includes treating physician opinions, rehabilitation recommendations, and detailed projections of frequency, unit cost, and duration for each item in the plan. California Civil Code 3283 recognizes future detriment.

California jury instructions also direct juries to award the reasonable value of necessary future medical care and to reduce future sums to present cash value. While the wording of jury instructions can vary over time, the Judicial Council of California’s Civil Jury Instructions (CACI) reflect the principles that future medicals must be reasonably certain and reduced to present value. See the Judicial Council’s civil jury instruction resource page at the California Courts website: courts.ca.gov.

Additionally, the admissibility of opinions that project future care needs is governed by California Evidence Code provisions on opinion testimony by persons with specialized knowledge and the California Supreme Court’s gatekeeping standard described below. Evidence Code section 801 addresses the admissibility of opinion testimony based on matter reasonably relied upon by such witnesses in forming opinions.

How is a life care plan built step by step for LA County cases?

A credible life care plan follows a consistent, transparent process. In Los Angeles personal injury cases, the following steps are common:

What core steps define a reliable life care planning process?

Clinical foundation: Review medical records, imaging, surgery notes, PT/OT notes, neuropsychological testing, and treating provider recommendations to establish diagnosis, prognosis, complications, and restrictions.
In‑person assessment: Conduct a functional evaluation at home or rehab facility to understand mobility, ADLs, cognitive and behavioral needs, equipment use, home layout, and caregiver capacity.
Treating provider input: Confer with treating physicians, therapists, and case managers to confirm reasonable necessity, frequency, and duration of care items.
Itemized needs: List each projected good/service, such as follow-up visits, medications, DME, wound care, injections, attendant care, transportation, home health, counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and home or vehicle modifications.
Frequency and duration: Assign specific intervals (weekly, monthly, annually) and time horizons (short-term, mid-term, lifetime) tied to the individual’s prognosis.
Local unit pricing: Collect verifiable prices from Los Angeles and surrounding markets, including Medicare fee schedules, private payer ranges, and provider quotes to reflect reasonable value in Los Angeles.
Inflation assumptions: Separate general inflation from medical cost inflation and document the sources and indices used.
Quality controls: Cross-check redundancies, confirm medical necessity, and document rationale for each entry to satisfy Evidence Code 801 and California’s reliability standard.
Economic summary: Convert the schedule of future costs to present value using defensible discount rates and sensitivity analysis.

What special issues arise in catastrophic injury life care plans?

Spinal cord injury: Anticipate recurrent UTIs, skin breakdown, pressure-relieving equipment, catheter supplies, home health, respiratory issues for higher-level injuries, and replacement cycles for wheelchairs and seating. For context, national data indicate that the need for attendant care and equipment replacement is ongoing and substantial after SCI; see the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center at UAB (nscisc.uab.edu).
Traumatic brain injury: Include neurorehabilitation, cognitive therapy, behavioral health, seizure management, case management, and safety supervision. The CDC reports large national burdens associated with TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths, highlighting the long-term needs associated with TBI (cdc.gov).
Chronic pain and CRPS: Plan for medication management, interventional procedures, durable medical equipment, and careful monitoring to mitigate side effects and opioid risks.

How do LA neighborhoods influence plan design and costs?

Provider availability, travel times, and vendor pricing vary across Downtown LA, West LA, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Culver City, Inglewood, and Torrance. A plan should reflect where you live and where you will receive care, including realistic hourly rates for home health aides and market-consistent costs for home modifications in that community.

What data sources support medical cost projections in Los Angeles?

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: A national benchmark for allowable amounts and CPT code pricing. While not determinative of private charges, it anchors reasonableness and replacement cycles. See the CMS Physician Fee Schedule overview (cms.gov).
Hospital and facility charges: Use California facility chargemasters and, where accessible, average allowed amounts. California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning data and AHRQ HCUP summaries help contextualize inpatient and ED costs (hcup-us.ahrq.gov).
Local vendor quotes: For DME, home modifications, and transportation in LA County, obtain at least two competitive quotes to establish a reasonable range.

We can help you get a copy of your Police Report!

What sources support inflation and trend assumptions?

Medical cost inflation: Bureau of Labor Statistics medical care CPI series documents historical and current medical inflation, which often differs from general CPI (bls.gov).
Discount rates and safe yields: U.S. Treasury yields inform conservative discounting to present value (home.treasury.gov).

What sources support life expectancy and replacement cycles?

Life tables: Use CDC or SSA life tables to estimate statistical life expectancy while accounting for injury-related reductions if supported by medical evidence. See CDC life table resources (cdc.gov) and SSA life tables (ssa.gov).
Vocational and occupational references: O*NET and DOL resources describe job demands that inform work capacity analyses (onetonline.org).

How is the present value of future costs calculated from a life care plan?

Future costs must be discounted to a present cash equivalent. The process generally includes:

Timeline and frequency: For each item, establish a schedule over the life expectancy or expected duration of need.
Nominal vs. real dollars: Decide whether to project in nominal dollars with inflation or express amounts in today’s dollars and use a real discount rate.
Discount rate selection: Choose a rate consistent with safe investments, often referencing U.S. Treasury securities, and explain why it fits the facts.
Sensitivity analysis: Show how valuations change under different reasonable discount rates and medical inflation assumptions.

California juries are instructed to reduce future economic damages to present cash value to avoid overcompensation. For general present value principles in personal injury damages, see the U.S. Supreme Court’s discussion in Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. v. Pfeifer, 462 U.S. 523 (1983), available at law.cornell.edu. Although Pfeifer addressed federal maritime law, the economic logic of discounting future streams is widely applied, and California jury instructions reflect the same concept in civil cases.

How do California rules impact evidence of medical bills and future costs?

California’s Supreme Court held that a plaintiff may recover no more than the amounts actually paid or incurred for past medical services, not the higher amounts billed but unpaid. See Howell v. Hamilton Meats, 52 Cal. 4th 541 (2011), available at CourtListener. This rule shapes the way past medicals are presented and can influence how juries think about medical costs generally.

What rules govern future medical expenses in California?

For future medicals, California courts have restricted the use of undiscounted billed amounts and require proper evidentiary foundations for rate assumptions. In Corenbaum v. Lampkin, the court held that amounts billed for past medical services are not themselves evidence of the reasonable value of future medical services and that testimony projecting future costs must rely on appropriate data. See Corenbaum v. Lampkin, 215 Cal. App. 4th 1308 (2013), available at CourtListener.

How does California’s reliability standard affect testimony?

California trial judges act as gatekeepers for the reliability of opinion testimony. In Sargon Enterprises, Inc. v. University of Southern California, the California Supreme Court emphasized that opinions must be based on matter of a type reasonably relied upon and must not be speculative. See Sargon Enterprises, Inc. v. University of Southern California, 55 Cal. 4th 747 (2012), available at CourtListener. Together with Evidence Code 801, Sargon guides how courts evaluate the foundation and methods behind life care plans in Los Angeles County courts.

How do loss of earning capacity and vocational rehabilitation fit into a life care plan?

A complete personal injury case valuation in Los Angeles often combines life care planning with an analysis of lost earning capacity and vocational rehabilitation. These components are related but distinct.

How is loss of earning capacity measured?

Pre‑injury baseline: Document education, credentials, employment history, earnings trajectory, and fringe benefits.
Post‑injury limitations: Use medical restrictions and functional evaluations to determine feasible work options.
Labor market data: Apply Los Angeles Metropolitan Statistical Area wage and employment data to viable occupations; use BLS and O*NET for wage rates and physical/cognitive job demands (bls.gov, onetonline.org).
Worklife expectancy: Adjust for reduced participation and retirement age assumptions supported by data.
Present value: Discount future earnings streams to present value and perform sensitivity tests for growth and discount rates.

How does vocational rehabilitation contribute?

Transferable skills analysis: Identify occupations consistent with restrictions and training.
Training and accommodation: Plan for retraining, certifications, and assistive technology to re‑enter the LA workforce.
Job placement prospects: Consider hiring patterns and commute realities across LA County, including Downtown LA, Westside, and South Bay.

How are non-economic damages evaluated alongside a life care plan?

Non-economic damages compensate for human losses such as pain, suffering, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment of life. Although a life care plan focuses on economic items, its clinical detail often helps juries and mediators understand the day-to-day impact of injuries, which can inform noneconomic damages. California law allows recovery of noneconomic damages in personal injury actions, but they are not calculated with a formula. Juries weigh the evidence and arrive at a reasonable amount under the court’s instructions. See the California Civil Code general damages framework at section 3281.

How do wrongful death and survival actions use life care planning in LA cases?

In California, heirs may bring a wrongful death action under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60. The measure of damages, set by section 377.61, includes economic support the decedent would have provided and noneconomic damages such as loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support. Life care plans per se are not typical in wrongful death because the injured person has passed, but economic analyses of support and household services often parallel life care methodologies in their reliance on life expectancy, productivity, and replacement service costs.

What is a survival action, and how does it differ?

A survival action allows the decedent’s estate to recover damages the decedent could have recovered had they lived, subject to statutory limits. California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.34 governs survival damages. Current law allows recovery of certain damages, and the statute should be consulted for the latest scope. Life care planning concepts may inform pre‑death medical expenses and care needs in survival claims where the decedent lived for a period after the injury.

How do defendants challenge life care plans in Los Angeles courts?

Defense teams frequently test assumptions and methods, focusing on reliability under Sargon and Evidence Code 801. Common challenges include:

Medical necessity: Arguing a service is not reasonably certain or medically necessary given the clinical record.
Frequency/duration: Proposing lower frequency, shorter durations, or elimination of redundant items.
Unit pricing: Substituting lower, but still reasonable, LA market rates, Medicare-based benchmarks, or preferred provider rates.
Replacement cycles: Extending replacement intervals for DME and home modifications beyond what is claimed.
Inflation/discount: Using different medical inflation or discount rate assumptions to lower present value.
Collateral source considerations: Requesting that rate assumptions reflect reasonable value rather than high-charge list prices, consistent with California evidentiary limits in Corenbaum.

Courts will generally admit opinions that rest on a transparent and reliable foundation, while excluding speculation. A detailed, data-driven plan reduces attack points.

How do comparative fault and mitigation affect a life care plan’s value?

California follows pure comparative fault. If a plaintiff shares responsibility for the incident, economic and noneconomic damages are reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. In practice, an otherwise robust life care plan may be taken as proven, and the verdict is then reduced by the comparative fault percentage. Separate from fault, plaintiffs have a duty to mitigate damages by acting reasonably to obtain treatment and follow medical advice. Unexplained noncompliance can lead to reductions in certain components, such as prolonged acute care or avoidable complications. Careful documentation of treatment adherence in Los Angeles improves the credibility of the plan.

How do structured settlements interact with a life care plan?

Structured settlements use annuities to fund future care streams. A life care plan provides the payment schedule that a structure can match, often with level or increasing payments aligned to medical inflation assumptions. Structures may protect against outliving a lump sum and can be tax‑advantaged under federal law in many personal injury settings. Financing a portion of the plan with U.S. Treasury-based annuities can align with conservative discount assumptions used to compute present value, though market availability and rates vary over time.

What common pitfalls should you avoid when using a life care plan?

Overreliance on list prices: California decisions disfavor using undiscounted billed charges as stand‑alone evidence of future costs. Use LA market rates and credible benchmarks.
Missing medical foundation: Every item should tie back to diagnosis and treating provider recommendations, not just general guidelines.
Ignoring local availability: Plan for providers and vendors who actually serve neighborhoods like Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, or Long Beach, accounting for realistic travel and wait times.
Omitting replacement cycles: Wheelchairs, cushions, and lifts have predictable life spans. Document cycles with vendor data and maintenance needs.
Unclear inflation and discount assumptions: Disclose sources for medical inflation and the reasoning behind discount rates, and present sensitivity ranges.
Not coordinating with vocational analysis: Economic damages for lost earning capacity should align with functional limitations described in the plan.
No mitigation discussion: Address adherence to treatment and any barriers (transportation, caregiver support) to show reasonableness.

How does GoSuits approach life care planning and valuation in Los Angeles?

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in Los Angeles, a clear, data‑driven plan for future care and costs can make a real difference. Speaking with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you understand how life care planning fits with your specific medical needs, insurance issues, and the courts where your case will be heard. GoSuits handles personal injury matters across Los Angeles, CA and surrounding communities, including Downtown LA, West LA, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena, Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Culver City, Inglewood, and Torrance.

We use a technology‑driven approach from intake through trial preparation. GoSuits has exclusive proprietary software that helps organize medical records, translate treatment plans into itemized future care schedules, and run real‑time valuation scenarios with market‑based pricing. This tool speeds up case work and supports clearer negotiations and litigation presentations. Even though we leverage technology to move faster, every client works directly with a designated attorney. We do not route clients to case managers, and you have unfettered access to your lawyer for strategy, updates, and preparation.

Our team brings 30 years of combined experience in civil litigation, including trials in Los Angeles County. Trial readiness matters because it improves the quality of investigation, the credibility of damage models, and positioning at mediation. We have recovered meaningful results for clients in complex injury cases and maintain a record of past matters here: gosuits.com/prior-cases. Past results do not guarantee outcomes, but they reflect the work and preparation we bring to each case.

Practice areas include motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian and bicycle incidents, premises liability, products liability, and wrongful death. We coordinate closely with rehabilitation providers and economic analysts to build support for future medical expenses Los Angeles claims, life care plan valuation, loss of earning capacity, and full personal injury case valuation. We are available to speak with you in plain language about timelines, next steps, and how to move your matter forward without delay.

Resources

California Civil Code section 3281 (general damages): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Civil Code section 3283 (future damages): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60 (wrongful death): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.61 (measure of wrongful death damages): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Code of Civil Procedure section 377.34 (survival damages): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Evidence Code section 801 (opinion testimony): leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Sargon Enterprises, Inc. v. University of Southern California, 55 Cal. 4th 747 (2012): courtlistener.com
Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc., 52 Cal. 4th 541 (2011): courtlistener.com
Corenbaum v. Lampkin, 215 Cal. App. 4th 1308 (2013): courtlistener.com
Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. v. Pfeifer, 462 U.S. 523 (1983): law.cornell.edu
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI data: cdc.gov
National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (UAB): nscisc.uab.edu
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Physician Fee Schedule: cms.gov
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HCUP: hcup-us.ahrq.gov
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index (including medical care CPI): bls.gov
U.S. Treasury yield curve rates: home.treasury.gov
CDC life table resources: cdc.gov
Social Security Administration life tables: ssa.gov
O*NET Online, occupational information: onetonline.org
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 41.0105: statutes.capitol.texas.gov
U.S. Courts, general federal resources: uscourts.gov
Los Angeles County QuickFacts (population context): census.gov

Frequently asked local questions

How long does a life care plan take to prepare in Los Angeles?

It varies with injury complexity and record volume. For severe injuries, compiling records, conducting assessments, interviewing treating providers, and sourcing local pricing can take several weeks to a few months. Early planning supports better treatment coordination and case valuation.

Why Choose Our Law Firm? - Call To Action

Can a life care plan be updated before mediation or trial?

Yes. Plans are often updated as new surgeries, complications, or therapies occur. Updates should be dated, tracked, and explained, with changes grounded in clinical developments and new pricing data.

Will insurance or Medicare rates be considered in the plan?

Courts look for reasonable value evidence. Rate assumptions often consider Medicare schedules, LA private payer data, and provider quotes. The method should be transparent and consistent with California evidentiary rules.

Is a plan only for catastrophic injuries?

No. Even moderate injuries can benefit from structured projections for therapy, imaging, medications, and lost time from work. The scope should match the injury.

What if my care is split between Santa Monica and Downtown LA?

Plans can blend costs from multiple service areas. The key is documenting why each location is used and applying the relevant local rates for each provider or vendor.

FAQ

Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes. It is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such, particularly by individuals affected by the incident discussed. Reading this article does not create, nor is it intended to create, an attorney–client relationship.

An attorney–client relationship with our firm can only be established through the execution of a written contingency fee agreement signed by both the client and the law firm. If you are a victim of this incident, you should not interpret the information herein as legal advice. Instead, we strongly encourage you to contact an attorney of your choice to obtain a proper consultation tailored to your specific situation.

Some or all of the information found on this site maybe generated by AI. Images of the scene of the incident are not real images and are created by AI. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the research and infromation found here. You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold Gosuits and the affliated companies harmless for damages or losses caused by you or another party due to any access to or use of the Services on this website or any information contained therein whether authorized or unauthorized. We will not be liable for any information or access caused by unauthorized disclosure of your information by any third party. You agree to notify us in writing immediately if you suspect any unauthorized use of or access of your information from this website by a third party.

We rely on the information found on the net and do not always have first hand knowledge of the matters. If you find any information here inaccurate or offensive contact us and we will have it immediately removed.

By using this website you are agreeing to these terms and conditions along with our terms and conditions on our disclaimer page. https://gosuits.com/terms-use-disclaimer/

If you would like this article removed, please call 800-972-4355 and ask for Sean Chalaki, who will assist you with your request.

Life Care Planning for Los Angeles Injury Cases | GoSuits