Life Expectancy for Life Care Planners

This article examines life expectancy and its relationship to life care planning and economic calculations in litigation. It discusses basic terminology, the standard scientific method, the life table, and essential variables and source data for determining the life expectancy of persons with chronic disabilities or other medical conditions. It describes the Life Expectancy and Expected Present Value models, presents analyses of four sample cases, and discusses the possible effects of quality and quantity of care. Key words: life expectancy, survival time, life table, essential variables, scientific method, life care planning, mortality, forensic economist, life expectancy expert, life care planner, expected present value, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, diabetes, end stage renal disease, quality of care, quantity of care