Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Getting dressed, making breakfast, and heading out the door are things that once took minutes but now take planning. Some tasks aren’t just harder; they’re impossible without help. A spinal cord injury doesn’t stop at medical bills. It rewrites your routine, changes where you can go, and forces you to rely on others in ways you never had before.

No one prepares for this, but the person responsible should answer for it. A careless driver, a neglected worksite, a botched procedure—someone’s actions led to this outcome, which means you have the right to demand more than empty apologies and lowball settlements.

Smith Law Center builds cases that account for everything an injury takes away. That means pushing beyond the immediate medical costs to the long-term reality—what it will take to reclaim mobility, independence, and financial security. We’ve secured life-changing results for Virginians, including $685,000 for a client with a neck injury from a car accident.

Call (757) 244-7000 or contact a Virginia spinal cord injury lawyer online to start your case today.

What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries in Virginia?

Force, pressure, or medical conditions damage the spine and disrupt communication with the rest of the body, causing spinal cord injuries. These injuries often stem from external trauma or internal conditions that gradually cause harm over time.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC):

• Vehicle collisions are the leading cause, accounting for 37.3% of cases.
• Falls make up 32%, particularly among older adults.
• Gunshot wounds and assaults cause 15.5% of spinal cord injuries.
• Sports and recreation-related incidents account for 7.7%.

Other causes include:

• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents;
• Construction and workplace incidents;
• Unsafe property conditions;
• Medical malpractice, including surgical errors and anesthesia mistakes;
• Nursing home neglect leading to falls or untreated infections; and
• Defective medical devices or consumer products.

Many people with spinal cord injuries face expensive medical care, lost income, and long-term adjustments. People with spinal cord injuries recover higher payouts when they work with a spinal cord injury attorney in Virginia instead of handling claims alone. Insurance companies know this and pressure people into accepting low offers.

‍

What Are the Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?

The spinal cord is the body’s command center for movement and sensation, connecting the brain to everything below it. When any part of this network is damaged, the effects can be immediate and, in many cases, permanent. Some injuries impact muscle control, while others affect breathing, balance, or even the ability to regulate temperature.

Where the injury occurs determines how the body is affected:

• Cervical (neck)—can limit arm movement, breathing, and fine motor skills.
• Thoracic (upper back)—often affects posture, balance, and core strength.
• Lumbar (lower back)—can weaken the legs and make walking difficult.
• Sacral (pelvis)—may impact mobility in the hips and legs and bladder and bowel function.

Certain spinal cord injuries completely sever communication, preventing sensation and movement below the affected area. Other injuries preserve some nerve pathways, allowing limited function.

• Complete injuries eliminate all movement and feeling below the injury site.
• Incomplete injuries leave some signals intact, meaning a person may still have partial movement or sensation.

Beyond the initial trauma, the body often reacts in ways that create additional complications:

• Paralysis can affect one limb (monoplegia), one side of the body (hemiplegia), the lower body (paraplegia), or all four limbs (quadriplegia).
• Spasticity causes muscles to tighten involuntarily, making movement stiff and unpredictable.
• Thromboembolism refers to blood clots forming due to lack of movement, increasing the risk of serious health issues.
• Autonomic dysreflexia is a dangerous rise in blood pressure triggered by the injury.
• Heterotopic ossification leads to extra bone growth in soft tissue, making joints stiff and painful.
• Loss of temperature and blood pressure regulation can make it harder for the body to stay warm or maintain circulation.
• Sexual dysfunction may occur due to nerve damage affecting sensation and function.
• Incontinence can make bladder and bowel control unpredictable.

Even the smallest task becomes impossible when the body no longer responds as it once did. Spinal cord injuries affect more than physical abilities—they disrupt independence, careers, and everyday routines. Smith Law Center fights for those who deserve more than just medical treatment—they deserve the means to build a life that still belongs to them.

The impact of a spinal cord injury isn’t just medical—it affects careers, daily routines, and the ability to plan for the future. Smith Law Center fights for full compensation that reflects the actual cost of these injuries. Call (757) 244-7000 or reach out online to discuss your case with a Virginia spinal cord injury attorney today.

What Can Be Recovered After a Spinal Cord Injury in Virginia?

A spinal cord injury affects everything from mobility to independence, creating new obstacles that weren’t there before. Medical bills add up fast, and the need for long-term support can strain finances and daily life.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

• Over 17,900 spinal cord injuries happen in the U.S. each year.
• Hospital stays average 11 days, followed by extensive rehabilitation.
• Men comprise nearly 80% of cases, with young and older adults most affected.
• Depending on the injury’s impact, lifetime costs range from $1.2 million to over $5 million.

Beyond hospital bills, long-term care often includes:

• Home modifications for accessibility,
• Mobility aids like wheelchairs and braces,
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation,
• In-home care or personal assistance, and
• Adjustments to work or career paths.

People with spinal cord injuries in Virginia can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including ongoing treatment;
• Lost wages and reduced earning ability;
• Rehabilitation and assistive equipment; and
• The toll on daily life and future plans.

Some injuries don’t just take away movement—they take away careers. One of our clients, a police officer, secured $500,000 after suffering a back injury while directing traffic. That settlement covered more than medical costs—it accounted for the impact on their career, income, and ability to provide for their family.

For families who have lost a loved one, wrongful death compensation may also include medical bills, funeral costs, and loss of financial and emotional support.

“I’ve sat across from clients who felt like their lives had been completely rewritten overnight. They weren’t just looking for a lawyer—they were looking for someone who actually understood what they were up against. A spinal cord injury isn’t just a case; it’s a fight for mobility, dignity, and the ability to take back what was stolen from you. That’s what we stand for at Smith Law Center.”

— Howard Smith | Managing Partner of Smith Law Center.

How Can a Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Help Your Case?

A spinal cord injury doesn’t just take away mobility—it takes away choices. Where you live, how you work, what you can do on your own—all of it shifts overnight. And when insurance companies try to minimize the cost, they’re not just denying a claim. They’re denying your future.

Smith Law Center doesn’t let that happen. For over 75 years, we’ve taken on the biggest insurance companies, major corporations, hospitals, and government agencies—and won. The firms that settle fast to avoid a courtroom aren’t built for cases like yours. We are.

After a car accident, one of our clients heard their case wasn’t worth much. We secured $685,000 for their neck injury. We don’t take the first offer. A Virginia spinal cord injury lawyer from our firm will build a case that demands real compensation.

Here’s what that means for you:

• Your case is built for trial from day one. The strongest settlements happen when the other side knows we’re ready to take them to court. 
• We go beyond medical bills. Spinal cord injuries bring lifelong costs—home modifications, lost income, in-home assistance, mobility aids, and ongoing therapy. A spinal cord injury lawyer in Virginia will work with medical and financial experts to ensure every dollar is accounted for.
• Insurance companies don’t set the terms. They expect people to accept less because it’s faster and easier. We don’t let them dictate what’s fair.
• We take on the toughest cases. Some firms avoid cases that require litigation. We’ve secured millions for people whose injuries changed everything—and made sure they didn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence.

Virginia’s pure contributory negligence rule bars compensation if the injured person shares even a small percentage of fault. Smith Law Center prepares cases with this in mind, knowing that a lifetime of expenses, care, and independence is at stake.