When you suffer a severe burn injury in an accident, it can feel like your whole world is turned upside down. You could have to take a prolonged leave from work or even stop working altogether. Activities that were once simple, like cooking, cleaning, and other household chores, can become impossible overnight.

A personal injury lawyer in Lexington can help you pursue monetary compensation for your injury-related damages, but he or she cannot directly make your home easier for you to live and recover in. However, he or she can refer you to professionals who can, like a contractor who specializes in renovating existing homes to be more accessible to individuals with physical limitations. Whether you need short-term accommodations or you need to permanently alter your home because of a lifetime disability, talk to your lawyer about your needs to see how he or she can help you ensure they are covered.

Renovations that can Make your Home More Accessible

There are many ways to alter a home to make it more accessible for disabled residents. You might need only one or two renovations or you might need to completely overhaul your home. A few adaptations that can be made to accommodate disabled individuals are:
● Installing a chairlift or stairlift;
● Installing a wheelchair lift platform;
● Widening doorways;
● Installing handrails or guardrails;
● Replacing the bathtub with an accessible bathtub;
● Replacing the toilets with ADA-compliant toilets;
● Lowering countertops;
● Moving light switches and other fixtures;
● Installing a wheelchair ramp outside; and
● Altering the home’s floorplan to make it possible for a resident to live entirely on the ground floor.

Funding your Accessibility Renovations

If you’re concerned about being able to afford the renovations you need to your new home, look into the funding resources the Council for Disability Rights publishes. Depending on your specific needs and circumstances, you could be eligible for one or more of the grants or other funding sources available to make homes and apartments accessible for their disabled residents.

Another potential source of funding for your accessibility renovations is your personal injury claim. Through your claim, you can pursue compensation to cover the costs of adapting your home to fit your new physical limitations. Talk to your lawyer about including this type of compensation in your claim.

Work with a Contractor who Has Experience Renovating for Accessibility

When you are renovating your home to accommodate specific needs, like your need for wider doorways or an accessible bathtub, work with a remodeling contractor who has specific experience doing the type of renovation you need. During each consultation with a prospective contractor, ask to see his or her portfolio and ask about previous jobs similar to yours.

Look online for reviews of each contractor you consider to read what previous clients are saying about his or her work. This way, you can feel confident that the contractor you hire is capable of making the renovations you need safely, on time, and in compliance with local building codes.