OAS Group - February/March 2020

Based on the above information, a plan for future care is developed. Detailed yearly costs are provided in the following areas: home or facility care; future medical care; transportation needs; architectural renovations; therapeutic evaluations and modalities such as physical, occupational, and cognitive rehabilitation therapy; medical equipment and/or wheelchair needs; orthotics and/or prosthetics; home furnishings; leisure time and recreational equipment; drug and supply needs; and the cost of potential medical complications. An accompanying narrative report details the results of the client interview, home assessment, and summary of medical records reviewed. CASE ILLUSTRATION Spinal Cord Injury Sam Martin was a 21-year-old college graduate trained in personnel management. He was employed by an insurance company. Mr. Martin was riding his motorcycle when he was hit by a moving van, resulting in spinal fractures and paraplegia. This meant he suffered not only from paralysis of the lower extremities, but severe upper back pain as well. He is incontinent and experienced psychological adjustment problems. A comprehensive life care plan was developed by a rehabilitation expert, complete with a full vocational evaluation which included testing. Each item of the life care plan was clearly detailed in chart form so both the defense and jury could comprehend the costs Mr. Martin would incur over his lifetime. The severity of his injuries and resulting pain precluded Mr. The Biggest New Jersey Transit Settlement A Success Story One thing we like to do is highlight when a client of ours and their legal team have done something extraordinary. One of our recent clients was awarded $12.75 million in a settlement, making it one of the largest ever paid by the New Jersey Transit corporation (NJ Transit). This client was struck by an NJ Transit bus that raced through a pedestrian crosswalk. The injuries, which included a major brain hemorrhage and multiple skull and rib fractures, were so severe that doctors had put him into a medically induced coma. After he had regained consciousness, he was unable to work, and while recovering, he was unable to care for himself, as even the most mundane tasks were near impossible. This client’s case has been a steep uphill battle, but with our 46 years of experience assisting plaintiffs and defense attorneys, we helped his attorneys make their case. OAS’s life care plan and employee evaluation reports demonstrated how much care the victim needed on top of showing that he could no longer work or care for himself. From that point, OAS drove home the fact that this client would need a significant reward to cover his extensive medical bills and lifetime care costs. ... Continued from Cover

OAS founder and president Edmond Provder had this to say on the case:

“If you are an attorney representing someone who suffered catastrophic injuries, you will need help objectively documenting the case damages. You’ll need occupational assessment services.” As one of the leading providers of life care plans in the United States, we can help you gain the assistance you or your loved ones deserve. Call us at 800-292-1919 to discuss your case.

Martin from sitting for more than two to three hours at one time without having to lie down. He had been rendered unemployable due to his paraplegia.

When the case went to trial, the rehabilitation expert testified and educated the jury as to the types of services Mr. Martin would require over his lifetime, as well as the associated costs. The jury was able to comprehend the costs of these services and reached a verdict of $24 million in favor of Mr. Martin. Edmond Provder, the founder and president of Occupational Assessment Services, Inc. (OAS) is one of the original and longest-practicing life care planners and vocational experts in the United States. OAS assists plaintiff and defense attorneys in documenting their case damages. Using a standard methodology, OAS is able to objectively document the injured client’s loss of earning capacity and long-termmedical care costs in the geographical area in which they reside through live medical research. The OAS expert prepares the life care plan and vocational reports in preparation for trial. Their testimony includes enlarged exhibits to educate the jury as to their findings. In 2019, OAS was involved in seven of the largest cases in New Jersey. In addition, Mr. Provder testified in a Texas case resulting in a $12.5 million settlement, as well as a New York City case resulting in a $102 million award. OAS has offices throughout the United States and provides nationwide expert services. We specialize in SKYPE evaluations and RUSH cases. To receive further information, call 800-292-1919 or visit our website at OASinc.org.

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