Home Modifications: Michigan No-Fault Insurance Lawyers

Under the Michigan No-Fault Insurance laws, a person who suffers a serious injury in a motor vehicle accident can often make claims with the insurance company to have their residence or home modified to accomodate their special needs resulting from the accident.  This is a tremendous benefit that every injury victim should know about and it is especially beneficial to patients with life-changing injuries, like spinal cord injuries. 

Attorney Daniel L Buckfire at my office authored “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” which explains these benefits, and other no-fault insurance benefits, to injury victims in plain English.  This includes a section on Home Modifications and Accomodations, which I have pasted below.  For a free copy of the book itself, simply click  here to request your copy.  Also feel free to call anytime with questions about your situation. 

Type of Benefit

Home Modifications and Accommodations 

What is it for? 

Home modification benefits are paid when the injured person cannot comfortably live in his or her current home or apartment because of physical limitations caused by injuries from the accident.  The insurance company is required to pay for remodeling for items such as handicapped ramps, additional rooms, wider doorways, and even bathrooms and showers to make it easier for an injured person to live in the home.

How much can I get for home modifications? 

The dollar amount paid for these services depends on the type of disability and the special needs of the injured person.  Typically, an architect or contractor works alongside the medical provider to design the most appropriate changes for the home.  There is no limit on the amount as long as it is reasonable and necessary.

What if I rent an apartment or live with a family member or friend? 

You are still entitled to have this remodeling done if you live in an apartment or live with someone else.  If you live in an apartment, the insurance company may be required to remodel your apartment or may have to find a better place for you to live that is equipped with accommodations to meet your needs.  The insurance company may be required to pay for this residence in full or in part.

How do I file my claim? 

The claim must be submitted to the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim. 

What type of documentation do I need? 

You need a prescription from your doctor or an occupational therapist for these modifications and a reasonable plan for the remodeling.   You may need to enter into a contract with a construction company for the needed remodeling.

How much time do I have to file my claim? 

You should submit your claim these expenses once it has been determined by a doctor that it is necessary and you have a contract for the necessary remodeling work.

What do I do if the insurance company refuses to pay these benefits?

If your insurance company refuses to pay these benefits, your only recourse is to file a lawsuit against the company that demands payment for the expenses.

How much time do I have to file my lawsuit? 

If the claims are presented within one year but are not paid by the insurance company within one year of the date of expense or claim, it will be necessary to start a lawsuit within that one year period in order to protect your claim.  If you choose to begin a lawsuit against your insurance company for No-Fault benefits, you must file a lawsuit within ONE YEAR of the date on which the last unpaid No-Fault benefit was incurred.

If you fail to file your lawsuit within this one year period, you will lose the right to have the benefit or expense paid.

As you are approaching the one year anniversary of your car accident, and there are any outstanding claims that have not been paid by the insurance company, we recommend that you file a lawsuit prior to the one year anniversary of the accident.

Related posts:

1. Lost Wage Claims: Michigan No-Fault Insurance Benefits
2. Michigan No-Fault Replacement and Household Service Benefits: Michigan No-Fault Lawyers
3. No-Fault Attendant Care Service Benefits: Michigan Car Accident Lawyers
4. Transportation Expenses:Michigan No-Fault Lawyers: Detroit Ann Arbor Lansing Grand Rapids
5. Michigan No-Fault Medical Expenses: Michigan Car Accident Lawyers

If you would like more information about your legal rights after a Michigan injury accident, medical malpractice, wrongful death case, or other accident, you can order our FREE book, "The Ultimate Guide To Injury Cases In Michigan" by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan injury and accident cases, visit our Michigan personal injury, car accident, and malpractice law website. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

BUCKFIRE & BUCKFIRE, P.C. is a Michigan personal injury law firm and is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time of the posting of the article. The information contained in this article is from online news sources and any perceived misstatements should be attributed to those sources as we did not complete any investigation of the accident. If you believe that the information is inaccurate and would like it changed or would like this post completely removed from the site, please let us know and we will do our best to promptly accommodate your request. We are very sensitive to these requests.

If you were involved in this accident or a similar accident and have questions about your legal rights and options, it is important that you contact a reputable law firm. Please make sure that any Michigan law firm that you contact has significant experience in handling these types of accident and injury cases and has an excellent track record of successful settlements and jury verdicts. We also suggest that the attorney you contact provides you with a free initial consultation.