One of the primary reasons for pursuing an injury claim is to seek monetary compensation for past expenses. While your doctor may be willing to defer some of these expenses until you receive your injury payout, many people and businesses require immediate payment. These out-of-pocket expenses can cause significant financial hardships.
You can include these out-of-pocket expenses in your injury claim. Once you prove liability, the at-fault party must reimburse you for losses that meet certain conditions. This reimbursement can improve your quality of life and relieve your financial stress.
Definition Of Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Your losses in a personal injury case fall into two categories. Pecuniary losses reflect the financial costs of your injuries. Non-pecuniary losses encompass the ways your injuries diminish your quality of life.
Out-of-pocket expenses are a special kind of pecuniary loss. They are pecuniary losses that you already paid rather than those that have been billed to you. These costs require you to use your resources instead of saving them for higher priorities like medical care and living expenses.
Typical Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
You might have incurred reimbursable out-of-pocket costs without realizing it. Out-of-pocket expenses can take many forms, including the following:
Costs Of Accessing Medical Care
Even with Canada’s universal health care system, you may incur treatment, therapy, and medication expenses. Some expenses you may pay out-of-pocket include the following:
- Prescription drugs not covered by provincial or supplemental insurance
- Over-the-counter medication
- Injury-related supplies, like bandages
- Durable medical equipment, like a wheelchair or home hospital bed
Out-of-pocket expenses may also include travel costs for accessing medical care, such as:
- Fuel
- Taxis or rideshares
- Parking
- Lodging
You will probably need proof that your doctor ordered or recommended them to get reimbursed for these expenses. For example, travel expenses may be reimbursed if your doctor refers you to a specialist located outside your area.
Replacement Services Expenses
When you suffer a disabling injury, you might not be able to perform your normal household tasks. Your claim can often include the costs you incur to hire someone to perform these tasks. Some examples of services that you may hire after suffering an injury include the following:
- Childcare
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Auto maintenance
- Home repair
- Transportation
Bear in mind that you must show a connection between your injuries and these costs to seek compensation for them. Thus, if you had a cleaning service before your injury, you might not be able to show the necessary connection.
Property-Related Losses
You might incur expenses to replace or repair property damaged in your accident. For example, suppose your glasses broke during a slip and fall accident. You may include the cost of replacing your glasses in your accident claim.
Home And Vehicle Modification Expenses
You may be able to include any costs you incur to modify your home or vehicle to accommodate any disabilities you suffered. These modifications might include:
- Vehicle hand controls
- Vehicle wheelchair lift or rack
- Wheelchair ramps
- Roll-in showers
- Bathroom grab bars
To justify these costs, your attorney may need to show that your disabilities are permanent or long-term.
Recovering Your Out-Of-Pocket Costs
To recover your out-of-pocket costs, you must document them. You will usually need financial records to prove the amount and reason for the payment. Some records your lawyer may need to recover out-of-pocket expenses include the following:
- Invoices
- Receipts
- Credit card or bank statements
- Checks
Additionally, the expenses must typically meet the following three elements to be included in your claim:
Reasonable
You must have paid an amount in line with the expenses one would expect to incur. In other words, your expenses are reasonable when you do not overpay.
Necessary
The reason for incurring the cost must be related to your accident. For injury-related costs, you can often prove the connection using your medical records. If your doctor recommends something, it will usually meet the “necessary” prong of the test.
Caused By The Accident
You must show a causal connection between the incident and the cost you incurred. For example, if you incurred expenses to travel for knee surgery, you must show that your accident injured that knee.
The Role Of An Injury Lawyer In Recovering Out-Of-Pocket Losses
Your injury lawyer plays a critical role in recovering compensation for out-of-pocket expenses. The lawyer can discuss what qualifies for reimbursement and help you document those costs for your injury claim. Moreover, the lawyer can suggest additional out-of-pocket costs that you may include in your claim in case you missed anything.
Once you file your claim, your attorney will fight for compensation to cover all your pecuniary losses, including your out-of-pocket expenses. Our lawyers at Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers can help you. Contact us at 289-809-7091 to learn more about out-of-pocket losses and how you can recover compensation for them.
