Like a ladder, a brace, or a pair of work gloves, some tools are not optional extras - they make it possible to do a job safely or do it at all. An assistive device is equipment that helps a person move, communicate, care for themselves, or perform daily tasks after an injury, illness, or disability. It can be something simple, like a cane, walker, shower chair, or hearing aid, or something more specialized, like a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or speech-generating device. In legal and insurance settings, the question is usually whether the device is medically necessary and reasonably related to the person's condition, treatment, or ability to function.

That matters because the cost of an assistive device can become part of a claim for damages, medical treatment, or workers' compensation benefits. A person recovering from a crash or jobsite injury may need one device for a few weeks, or several for life. If an insurer argues the item is only for convenience, payment may be delayed or denied.

In North Carolina, disputes over medically necessary devices can come up in workers' compensation cases under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act, with oversight by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. In a personal injury claim, records from doctors and therapists can help show why the device is necessary, how much it costs, and whether future replacements should be included in a settlement or verdict.