Equipment, home modification and transport costs may be recoverable where they are reasonably required because of a negligently caused injury. Claims rely on professional recommendations, quotes and expected replacement cycles. There is no universal entitlement or standard lifetime total.
Professional recommendations
Claims usually begin with recommendations from occupational therapists, physiotherapists or other professionals about what equipment and modifications are needed. These may include wheelchairs, seating systems, hoists, communication devices, specialised beds or bathroom changes. Recommendations should explain why each item is necessary for the person's function or safety.
Quotes and pricing
Once needs are identified, families or experts obtain quotes from suppliers or builders. Detailed quotes make costs easier to verify and less likely to be disputed. Prices may change, so dates and assumptions matter.
- Supplier quotes for specific equipment models
- Builder or architect estimates for modifications
- Installation and maintenance costs
- Insurance and servicing costs
- Vehicle modification quotes
Replacement and maintenance
Equipment wears out and needs replacement or upgrades as the person grows. Experts estimate how often items need replacing and the ongoing maintenance costs. Children may need several sizes of equipment over time. These cycles are projected over expected lifespan and valued using jurisdiction-specific methods.
Housing and vehicle changes
Some families need to modify a home or move to a more suitable one. Claims usually focus on the additional cost caused by the injury, not the full price of a house. Similarly, vehicle claims may address modification costs or the additional cost of a suitable vehicle compared to what the family would otherwise have needed. Rules for assessing these items vary.
Causation and reasonableness
Items must relate to needs arising from the negligently caused injury. If a need would exist anyway, or arises from an unrelated condition, it may not be recoverable. Items must also be reasonable; less costly options that meet the same need may be preferred. Funding received through other programs may also affect the claim.
For your next conversation
- Obtain written occupational therapy recommendations for equipment
- Gather dated supplier and builder quotes
- Record replacement history and maintenance costs to date
- Ask an expert about the additional cost of accessible housing
- Note equipment funded by the NDIS or other programs
Common questions
Will compensation pay for a whole new house?
Usually claims focus on the extra costs caused by the injury, such as modifications or the additional cost of suitable accommodation, rather than the full purchase price. The approach depends on evidence and jurisdiction. A solicitor and loss expert can explain how housing needs may be assessed.
Can we claim for equipment the NDIS already funds?
Compensation and NDIS funding interact, and receiving compensation may affect future NDIS supports for the same needs. Guidance is being updated for new legislation. Ask your solicitor how equipment funding is treated before settlement so needs are not left unfunded.
Sources & further reading
These references support the topic’s starting points. They do not determine the facts, standard of care or law applicable to an individual matter.