As everyone who lives in modern society knows, health care can be very expensive. Even if you have medical insurance or good medical coverage through an auto insurance policy, you may be charged thousands or tens of thousands of dollars for a lengthy hospital stay, a trip to a specialized care center or repeated doctor visits and physical therapy appointments. For someone who has suffered a catastrophic injury or a permanent disability, lifelong medical treatment may cost millions of dollars.

In a personal injury claim, these medical expenses are part of the damages (monetary compensation) you are entitled to recover. These expenses are not limited to direct health care costs, but may extend to any medical expense, including prescriptions, medical devices and the cost of transportation to and from your doctor’s office. Recovering your medical expenses is an essential element of your personal injury claim.

If your case involves a catastrophic injury, your lawyer will want to not only determine your existing medical costs, but also hire medical experts to determine the likely costs of your future medical treatment. In some cases, your law firm may need to hire an expert to develop a "life care plan" that predicts all of your future medical needs. This expert will evaluate your injuries, review your medical records and project the cost of future medical care.