Rehabilitation is often the longest part of recovery from a serious injury. It can also be one of the most expensive components of care, especially when therapy continues for years. This page explains what Delaware law generally provides regarding rehabilitation cost recovery.
The Detailed Answer
Categories of Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy (PT) — restoring strength, mobility, balance.
- Occupational therapy (OT) — regaining ability to perform daily-living and work tasks.
- Speech and language therapy — for communication and swallowing problems often associated with brain injury.
- Cognitive rehabilitation — addressing memory, attention, and executive function after TBI.
- Vocational rehabilitation — re-training for work the person can still perform.
- Aquatic and recreational therapy — supportive modalities for some injuries.
Past Costs
Past therapy bills are documented through provider records, insurance EOBs, and out-of-pocket receipts. Causation must connect each charge to the injury.
Future Costs
Future therapy needs are projected by qualified medical professionals and incorporated into a life care plan. Frequency, duration, and unit cost combine to produce a lifetime figure that an economist reduces to present value.
Coordination of Benefits
Health insurance, workers’ compensation, and Medicare/Medicaid often pay therapy bills initially, creating liens that must be addressed in any settlement.
What This Means for Your Case
Therapy is rarely a single bill — it is a stream of costs over months or years. Documenting the prescribed plan, attendance, and progress strengthens the claim. For catastrophic cases involving spinal cord injury, brain injury, or amputation, rehabilitation is one of the largest components of long-term cost. Joseph M. Jachetti has experience handling cases that require detailed cost documentation.
Related Questions
Q: Are gym memberships covered if therapy ends?
Sometimes, when a qualified medical professional prescribes ongoing exercise as part of recovery and the cost can be reasonably documented.
Q: What if I had to travel for therapy?
Reasonable travel costs related to medical treatment are generally recoverable when documented.
Q: How long is rehabilitation typically projected?
It varies — some injuries call for lifetime therapy at reduced intensity, while others have a defined endpoint. Medical opinion drives the projection.
When to Talk to a Delaware Personal Injury Lawyer
Documenting rehabilitation costs over time can be the difference between adequate and inadequate recovery. A Delaware personal injury attorney can help build the record properly.
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This page provides general legal information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, contact Schuster Jachetti LLP.
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📞 Call (302) 984-1000
This page provides general legal information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, contact Schuster Jachetti LLP.