How much does it cost to accommodate a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injuries will change your life and cause major changes to your financial circumstances. Even if you have an incomplete injury that allows for some motor function and sensation below the injury site, you can expect a lifetime of medical bills. Those medical expenses are only one aspect of what the injury will cost you and your family.

Especially if you have a complete spinal cord injury, you will likely need to make numerous changes to your lifestyle. Many people forget to consider the cost of developing an accessible lifestyle – which can include changes to the home and modes of transportation – when negotiating insurance settlements or planning a personal injury claim.

Updating your house and vehicle will cost thousands

Most homes and vehicles are not optimal for those reliant on crutches or wheelchairs for mobility.

If you are fortunate enough to have a home that is already somewhat acceptable, then making the upgrades to your property necessary because of a spinal cord injury might cost as little as $1,000. However, adding a ramp, adding accessible bathroom facilities, changing the layout of the rooms in the home and integrating other assistive technology could easily cost as much as $30,000.

If you want to continue to drive, you will need to invest in a system that allows for hands-only vehicle operation. Updating a vehicle to allow for the easy loading and unloading of a wheelchair may also be necessary. The costs for such vehicle adjustments vary as well, but can easily be as expensive as a used vehicle.

Identifying expenses you will have to cover related to your spinal cord injury will help you better secure the compensation you deserve for that injury.