‘Can I get future surgery covered by my claim?’

I had an accident in 2017. I am now approaching settlement of my case and my solicitors sent a statement of financial losses to the other side with a breakdown of the money which I am claiming. I was advised to claim the costs of private surgery for a hip replacement and revision surgery, which the surgeon acting for me has said will be required over the next few decades. The other side’s solicitors have sent us a “counter schedule” not offering to pay anything for this surgery as they say that due to likely medical advances the hip revisions will not be required and I could have the surgery on the NHS. Can they do this?

James Barnsley, Sutton

AIt is utter speculation to suggest what might happen in terms of medical advances over coming decades. Cases are settled on the basis of the medical thinking and skills, practice and procedure of the day. I suggest