If a devastating crash has caused injuries so serious that you need to be in a wheelchair, you may find that the home you love has become largely inaccessible for you. You can no longer get to the second floor, take a shower or even reach the shelves in your kitchen to get a box of cereal.
Fortunately, building and remodeling homes to accommodate people with disabilities has become big business in recent years. As more baby boomers choose to “age in place,” it’s become easier to add chairlifts, roll-in showers and other accessible equipment to your home. You can hire building and remodeling professionals who can install ramps to let you get on and off your porch and to widen exterior and interior doorways. They can lower everything from countertops to sinks to appliances and more.
How much does “disability remodeling” cost?
As you can imagine, all of that costs money – a lot. The average cost of remodeling just one bathroom is $9,000. A chairlift can cost $4,000. Lowering kitchen appliances and cabinets can cost $15,000.
These are just a few of the adjustments you’ll need to make to your home. You also have to consider the price of labor. Many of these changes require electricians, plumbers and other professionals in addition to building professionals who understand Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
If your injuries (or those of a loved one) were the result of a crash caused by a negligent, reckless or impaired driver, it’s essential that your claim for compensation includes the cost of all of these accommodations.
You need to monetize the effect of the crash on your life. An experienced attorney can help you do just that so that you and your family don’t have to deal with financial stressors in addition to all of the other suffering you’ve faced.