There is no way to determine what an average spinal cord injury settlement in Virginia might look like. Settlement amounts vary widely depending on case specifics. Each case is different, and many factors affect the possible settlement range of a case.
When an accident victim suffers a spinal cord injury (SCI), it can change their life in an instant. Spinal cord injuries often lead to loss of mobility and sensation, including paralysis below where the injury occurred. This could prevent them from returning to work, their previous activities, and the quality of life they enjoyed.
If you or a loved one suffered spinal cord injuries in an accident caused by another person, you should discuss your options with a Virginia spine injury lawyer. Our team provides a FREE claim review.
Factors That Affect a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement in Virginia
One reason why it is impossible to calculate an average settlement for spinal cord injury cases is because of the many factors that can dramatically affect these claims. Some of the biggest factors include:
- The severity of the injury, whether the injury is complete or partial, and the long-term prognosis
- The cost of medical care, including hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitations, and ongoing care and support needs
- How long the victim was out of work and if they can return to work
- The physical and emotional trauma suffered
- The evidence available to support proving fault and liability in the case
- The at-fault party’s available insurance coverage
Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and construction accidents are all common ways injury victims suffer spinal cord injuries.
Working with a spinal cord injury lawyer can make it easier to build a compelling case and show negligence and liability in these cases. Having a strong case presented by a respected attorney could allow you to recover maximum compensation based on your case facts.
Recoverable Damages in a Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Case
The expenses and losses incurred because of an accident set the settlement range for most injury cases in Virginia. The damages typically recovered in these cases are compensatory.
This means they pay you for the costs you endured because of your accident and injuries, and those you will likely pay in the future.
To this end, the damages often available in a spinal cord injury case include:
- Economic Damages: These are the financial expenses and losses you incurred and will incur because of your accident and injuries. Examples include medical expenses, lost income, property damages, necessary home modifications, out-of-pocket costs, and future income losses if you cannot return to work.
- Non–Economic Damages: These are the intangible mental and emotional losses you endured after your accident. They include “pain and suffering” and inconvenience, reduced quality of life, disability, and emotional distress.
When you are seeking fair compensation for spinal cord injuries, you will want to take steps to document your full range of damages. Letting an attorney manage your claim ensures you can focus on healing and rehabilitation while they gather documents, calculate losses, and work with experts to understand your prognosis and future care needs.
Why Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Cases Are So Expensive
Spinal cord injuries are often catastrophic. They alter almost every aspect of a person’s life. The necessary treatment, therapies, and future costs make them one of the most expensive personal injuries to suffer, and the additional costs continue for years to come.
If you are seeking a payout in a Virginia spinal cord injury case, it is imperative that you understand the possible value of the case and do not settle for less than you will need to pay for your care, support, and treatment in the future.
When you have an attorney on your side, they will consider your losses and how they will continue to affect you in the future. Their considerations should include:
- Lifelong medical and care costs, including ongoing therapies, in-home help with daily activities, respite care, mobility devices, and assistive technology
- Your loss of income over the rest of your expected lifetime if you likely cannot return to work
- Emotional and psychological losses, such as chronic pain, depression, and reduced quality of life
Building and trying these cases takes money, too. If your case requires litigation, your attorney may need to pay for expert testimony from medical experts, life care planners, and economists to document your injuries and future care needs.
What Is the Role of a Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Attorney in My Case?
The best way to ensure you develop a compelling case and pursue maximum compensation based on your recoverable damages is to work with a Virginia personal injury lawyer on your case. You can trust your legal team to manage your case while you continue treatment, rehabilitation, and other therapies.
Developing a convincing spinal cord injury case is often difficult. You must prove fault and liability, your expenses and losses to date, and your estimated future costs.
An attorney will have the skills and resources to investigate what happened, document your damages, and work with medical experts and others to understand your long-term costs.
Your lawyer will also have the legal knowledge and experience to manage your claim and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. They can also litigate the case when necessary. Per Va. Code § 8.01-243, you may only have up to two years to begin a lawsuit. Your attorney will ensure you do not miss this key deadline.
Talk to Our Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Team About Your Case for Free
The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, provides a FREE claim review for individuals and families living with spinal cord injuries in Virginia. We will assess your case and discuss your legal options based on the information you share with us.
You can learn how our Virginia spinal cord injury lawyer can help you get justice. Contact us today to learn more.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form