# What if I will need medical care later?

Canonical: https://californiapersonalinjurylaws.com/guides/future-treatment/

Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin; publisher reported approval on 2026-11-04. Original review date was not supplied.

## Short answer

You may be able to claim the cost of care you will need later. There must be proof that the injury is likely to cause that need.

## Hypothetical example

A doctor says an injured person will likely need more surgery because of the crash.

## How the rule works

Future care can affect whether a settlement covers the full harm. The proof should explain the likely care and its link to the injury. Guessing at the worst outcome is not the same as medical support.

## What can change the answer

A treatment that is just possible is not the same as one you are likely to need. A final deal can end the claim before you get more care.

## A useful next step

Ask your care team about your outlook. Find out what future care they expect before you settle.

## Court decisions behind this answer

### Corenbaum v. Lampkin (2013)

215 Cal.App.4th 1308, slip op., pp. 3–4. The court rejected using full billed amounts from the care at issue as proof of other losses. The bills were subject to insurance discounts.

Limit: This does not bar proof of all future care or pain. Those losses need an appropriate factual basis.

Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2013/b236227.html

## Sources

- [Civil Code § 3333 — Compensation for harm](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=3333.)
- [CACI No. 3903A — Medical expenses (2026 edition)](https://courts.ca.gov/system/files/file/judicial_council_of_california_civil_jury_instructions_2026.pdf)
- [Corenbaum v. Lampkin (2013) 215 Cal.App.4th 1308](https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2013/b236227.html)

General information, not legal advice.