Retaining Party / Firm:
Client / Matter:
Case Number (if any):
Individual to be Evaluated:
Services Requested:
Life Care Plan Medical Cost Projection Expert Testimony Record Chronology Other:

1. Engagement and Scope

The undersigned (the “Retaining Party”) engages Christiane Pittaluga, BSN, RN, JD, CLCP, of Invictus Life Care Planning (the “Consultant”) to provide the professional services identified above, which may include review and analysis of medical records, needs assessment, preparation of a life care plan or medical cost projection, consultation, and expert testimony. The Consultant is engaged as an independent consultant. This engagement does not create an attorney-client or nurse-patient relationship, and the Consultant does not provide legal, medical, or nursing advice or treatment to any party.

2. Professional Fees

All professional time is billed at $300.00 per hour. This single rate applies to all services, including: review of medical records and other materials; research; interviews and assessments; preparation of reports, life care plans, and cost projections; conferences and correspondence; preparation for testimony; deposition and trial testimony; and necessary travel time. Depositions and trial testimony are subject to a minimum reservation of four (4) hours, billed at the hourly rate.

3. Retainer

A minimum retainer of $1,500.00 is due upon execution of this Agreement. Work begins upon receipt of both the signed Agreement and the retainer. The retainer is an advance deposit — not an additional fee — and will be applied against professional time billed at the hourly rate. For larger engagements, the Consultant may request that the retainer be replenished as work progresses; any such request will be accompanied by an itemized statement of time already incurred.

4. Invoices and Payment

The Retaining Party will receive itemized invoices describing the work performed and the time incurred. Invoices for fees in excess of the retainer are due upon receipt. All outstanding balances must be paid in full before release of any final report or life care plan and before any scheduled deposition or trial testimony.

5. Costs and Expenses

Out-of-pocket costs — including medical records procurement, copying, postage, and reasonable travel expenses — are billed at actual cost, with no markup, and itemized on each invoice.

6. Scheduling and Cancellation

Time reserved for depositions, trial testimony, or scheduled evaluations is held for this matter to the exclusion of others. If a scheduled deposition, testimony date, or evaluation is cancelled or rescheduled less than forty-eight (48) hours before the appointed time, the time reserved may be billed at the hourly rate.

7. Independence of Opinions

The Consultant’s fees are based solely on time expended at the stated hourly rate. Fees are not contingent on the substance of any opinion, the content of any report, or the outcome of any claim, case, or settlement. All opinions expressed will be the Consultant’s own independent professional opinions, formed to a reasonable degree of professional certainty.

8. Records and Cooperation

The Retaining Party is responsible for providing, or arranging access to, the medical records and other materials reasonably necessary for the work, and for timely responses to requests for information. Deadlines dependent on records or authorizations not yet received cannot be guaranteed.

9. Termination

Either party may terminate this engagement upon written notice. Upon termination, fees and expenses incurred through the date of termination are due and payable, and any unused portion of the retainer will be refunded promptly.