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Multi-Year Award Winner
Certified Life Care Planners
Accredited by ICHCC
Plaintiff & Defence Counsel
Impartial, balanced testimony
Independent expert review of another planner's work
A Life Care Plan Critique evaluates the methodology, assumptions, and cost foundation of a report prepared by another expert. It is not an adversarial document. It is a structured, balanced, and evidence-based analysis focused on identifying areas of disagreement and divergence.
The critique assesses whether the opposing expert's recommendations are supported by the medical evidence, whether the costing methodology is sound, and whether the overall plan accurately reflects the individual's needs. Where differences are identified, they are documented clearly with clinical rationale.
CBA critiques are prepared by Certified Life Care Planners with the same rigour applied to our own reports. The result is a professional opinion that can be presented at mediation, pre-trial, or trial.
Common areas of review
Our critique systematically evaluates every component of the opposing expert's life care plan. Here are the six core areas we assess.
Evidentiary support
Are the expert's recommendations grounded in the medical evidence on file? We assess whether each care recommendation is supported by clinical documentation such as diagnoses, treatment notes, and specialist reports, or based on assumptions without adequate foundation.
Diagnosis-to-needs consistency
Do the projected care needs logically follow from the documented diagnosis and prognosis? We examine whether the plan's recommendations are proportionate to the injury and consistent with the expected clinical trajectory over the individual's lifetime.
Attendant care levels
Are the recommended levels of personal support and attendant care appropriate? We evaluate whether the hours, skill levels, and duration of attendant care are justified by the individual's functional limitations and supported by the medical record.
Cost source accuracy
Are the cost figures based on recognized, current costing sources? We verify that the rates applied to each service, product, and intervention reflect fair market value and are drawn from transparent and reliable sources.
Duplication of services
Are any services counted more than once? Complex life care plans may inadvertently duplicate costs, for example by including personal care hours for housekeeping alongside separate housekeeping services. These overlaps are identified and addressed.
Assumptions relied upon
A well-prepared critique supports a fair resolution by identifying areas where claims may not be fully supported by the evidence.
How CBA conducts a critique
Our critique process is thorough, methodical, and designed to produce a clear and balanced professional opinion.
Full report review
The opposing expert’s complete life care plan is reviewed in detail, including all recommendations, cost lines, and underlying assumptions. The critique considers the plan as a whole rather than assessing elements in isolation.
Examining the evidence
Where recommendations diverge from the clinical evidence, these differences are identified and documented with specificity.
Independent costing verification
Cost figures are independently verified against CBA’s costing sources, including current market rates. Variances are identified and contextualized with reference to accepted costing practices.
Final opinion
The critique is presented in a clear, structured report with comparison tables outlining each point of divergence. It is prepared to withstand cross-examination and is suitable for use at mediation, pre-trial, or trial.
Serving both plaintiff and defence counsel
CBA provides critique services for both sides of the bar. Our objectivity and adherence to evidence-based methodology ensures the same professional standard regardless of the retaining party.
Challenging a defence expert's plan
When the opposing defence expert has produced a life care plan that underestimates future care needs, omits necessary services, or applies unreasonably low cost estimates, a critique provides the structured, evidence-based analysis needed to examine those shortcomings. It identifies where the plan falls short and provides reasonable alternative positions grounded in the medical evidence.
Reviewing a plaintiff expert's plan
When the opposing plaintiff expert has produced a life care plan that appears to overestimate needs, include unsupported recommendations, or apply inflated costs, a critique provides the detailed, line-by-line analysis needed to identify and document those concerns. It helps counsel understand exactly where the plan diverges from the evidence and where the cost projections lack foundation.
What your critique report includes
Analysis components
Report format
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the critique conducted with or without an in-person assessment?
Critiques can be conducted through a comprehensive file review alone, or supplemented by an in-person assessment of the individual. The appropriate approach depends on the complexity of the matter and the specific issues identified in the opposing expert's report.
Will the critique be adversarial in tone?
How long does a critique take?
Will your planner testify about the critique in court?
When is a life care plan critique appropriate?
Let's Work Together
Contact us for a free consultation, we can advise you if a referral is appropriate.
Phone
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Phone: 905-882-6947
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info@cbafuturecare.com
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Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3G2