Out of pocket services after spine injuries cost thousands

When a patient who is newly disabled and unable to walk after a spinal cord injury has probably already accrued tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills once she finally comes home from rehabilitation.

Unfortunately, medical bills and related costs, which may or may not be covered by health insurance, are only the tip of the iceberg. A victim of a spinal cord injury, or other debilitating injury, will also have to spend money getting other equipment and services.

For example, someone who is coming home in a wheelchair or with other equipment will likely need to remodel his or her home to accommodate the new normal.

At a minimum, a person will likely spend a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars just adding some basic accessibility equipment like a simple ramp or some grab bars.

However, oftentimes a Issaquah victim will need to do a major overhaul of his home. In particular, people may discover the need for a remodeled bathroom and kitchen to add disability equipment.  Doing so can costs around $50,000.

Additionally, a victim may also need to spend even more money on widening doors and halls.

Home remodels are not the only thing those learning to live with an accident-related disability may have to pay for.

For instance, a victim may get a recommendation to purchase and use a service dog for help with the daily routine and other tasks. Indeed, in some cases, the victim may find the service dog a critical part of her care.

However, these animals cost a lot of money. They can run up to $50,000, and the average going rate is between $15,000 and $30,000. Additionally, a person can expect to pay thousands of dollars a year to keep the animal.

Those who have to pay these costs due to a severe injury caused by another person’s negligence may be entitled to compensation.