Exact Cost of Future Medical Expenses Does Not Have to be Proven

The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal held that an award for future medical expenses can be supported by testimony that future medical expenses will be required, even in the absence of any evidence as to the specific cost of such future treatment. It is proper for the trial court to determine future medical expenses on the basis of the record, past medical expenses, and other evidence. Since the plaintiff’s past medical expenses exceeded $326,000, an award of $150,000 for future medical expenses was proper. Goza v. Parish of West Baton Rouge, 2008-0086 (La.App. 1 Cir. 5/5/09), 21 So.3d 320, writ denied, 2009-2146 (La.12/11/09), citing Levy v. Bayou Indus. Maintenance Services, Inc., 03-0037 (La. App. 1 Cir. 9/26/03), 855 So.2d 968, 975, writs denied, 03-3161, 03-3200 (La. 2/6/04), 865 So.2d 724, 727.

This personal injury legal update is provided by Baton Rouge, Louisiana injury lawyer Scott Andrews of the Louisiana accident and injury law firm, Dué Guidry Piedrahita Andrews Courrege L.C..