Injured at Work or in an Accident? What Will it Cost to Remodel Your Home?
CAPS Logo
If you have been seriously injured physically at work or in a traffic accident it is likely you will have to remodel or modify your residence, home or apartment, to improve accessibility because of your injury. A CAPS consultant can help you with the remodel. But first, let me say I am sorry about your injury.
CAPS stands for Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. A CAPS consultant, like Richard Acree at ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, can work with your medical specialist(s) and attorney to determine what type of home modifications will be necessary and how much the modifications will cost. Each aspect is important.
Person in Wheel Chair at Desk
The type of home modification will be unique to the individual injured and the home they live in. Disabilities can be short term, medium term, long term, or permanent. Upper body injuries are different than lower body injuries. Each person is unique. An injured leg for a 20 year old person is different than an injured leg for an 60 year old person.
Each home is also unique. The route from vehicle parking into the residence, out to the mail box, into the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, or living room, is unique to each home. Therefore, the cost of remodeling is also unique to the residence.
The costs of home modifications can vary widely. For instance, a common exterior ramp installation for use with a wheel chair can cost between $1,000 - $2,000. A common interior stair lift installation can cost between $8,000 - $10,000. A common residential elevator installation connecting two floors can cost approximately $45,000 - $55,000. Costs can vary by location.
A remodeling project will require someone to contact and work with contractors and equipment vendors. If the injured person is unwilling or unable to do this, a consultant can act on their behalf as an advocate to help plan and monitor the remodeling project. The cost of the consultant should be rolled into the overall cost of the project.
All of these aspects should be evaluated to determine what type of home modifications are needed. Only then will you know how much money is required in a legal settlement to help the injured person. All of these costs should be part of the legal settlement that occurs because of the accident.
Victims of an accident at work or on the highway have a right to a fair settlement. Make sure your attorney takes into account the cost of a home remodeling or modification to accommodate the injury.
Photo of Richard Acree