What you get in a spinal cord injury settlement depends on the severity of your injury and other factors. If you want to maximize your damages, you may want to work with a Virginia spinal cord injury lawyer. With your attorney’s assistance, you may be well-positioned to craft an argument that compels a judge or jury to award you the most damages possible.
Attorneys at MartinWren, P.C. were responsible for three of the 14 largest verdicts in Virginia for all of 2023, according to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Our team can take a look at your injury case and go over your legal options with you. To get started, reach out to us.
Cost of a Spinal Cord Injury
Research published in the National Library of Medicine indicates the cost to treat a spinal cord injury in the first year after it happens can total anywhere from $32,240 to $1.16 million. For each ensuing year, the cost may range from $4,490 to $251,450. To help you figure out what your injury will cost, it may be a good idea to meet with a doctor.
A doctor can evaluate your injury and develop a treatment plan. They may give you estimates of how long it will take to recover from your injury. Along with these, your doctor may explain how much it will cost to treat your injury.
In addition to consulting with a doctor, you may want to meet with a lawyer to determine if you are eligible to file a claim against the party responsible for your injury. At MartinWren, P.C., we offer exceptional legal services to those who suffer an injury due to no fault of their own. To learn more, get in touch with us.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
Spinal Cord Injury Case Damages
There are many types of damages you can seek for a personal injury. These include economic damages awarded for quantifiable losses and non-economic ones provided for subjective harm. Reasons why a judge or jury may order a defendant to pay damages include:
- Emotional trauma
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
Your lawyer will consider the short- and long-term costs of your injury. This helps your attorney calculate your damages so you can request compensation that will serve you well moving forward. Your attorney will also work with you to gather evidence to prove you deserve 100% of the damages that you are requesting.
How to Get a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement
Before you can get an injury settlement, you have to submit a claim. Based on the Code of Virginia § 8.01-243, you may have up to two years from the date of your injury to ask for compensation from a liable party, though some exceptions apply. In addition, your claim may require you to file a notice of claim within a shorter period, and the failure to do so could bar your right to recovery. If you choose not to file a notice or claim within the required windows, you may be solely responsible for your injury-related costs.
A lawyer can help you submit your claim before you run out of time to do so. Just because you request compensation does not guarantee you will get money from an at-fault party. In many instances, this party or their insurance provider may do everything they can to try to get you to give up on your case.
Over the course of your litigation, you may get settlement offers. Your lawyer will let you know if the defendant proposes a settlement. At this point, you have the option to approve, reject, or counter a settlement proposal.
Reasons to Consider a Spinal Cord Injury Settlement
The verdicts and settlements in injury cases vary. If you are worried that you will not get compensation, you may want to consider a spinal cord injury settlement offer. Yet, there is no reason to accept a proposal unless it meets your expectations.
If you receive a settlement proposal, you may want to discuss it with your lawyer. When you meet with your attorney, you can ask them questions and listen to what they have to say about an offer. If your attorney does not believe that a proposal will give you enough money to cover your losses, they will let you know.
You have the option to negotiate a settlement and do not have to accept the first one that comes your way. If you are not fully satisfied with a proposal, you may decline it and continue with your litigation. Alternatively, if you are happy with an offer, you may approve it, get money, and close your case.
Mistakes to Avoid When Negotiating an Injury Settlement
If you want to get the best spinal cord injury settlement in Virginia, you should not take anything for granted in your injury case. In Virginia, you are dealing with contributory negligence, which may hurt your chances of getting damages. Based on contributory negligence, if the defendant in your case proves you are in any way responsible for your injury, a judge or jury may not award you any compensation.
You may get a phone call from an at-fault party or their insurance provider, and they may want to speak with you about your injury. In this situation, it may be beneficial to notify your attorney since they can handle all communications about your injury on your behalf. Otherwise, you risk saying something on the record that could compromise your case.
If you want to keep family members and friends up to date about your recovery from your injury, you may want to be careful what you say about your case, especially on social media, text messages, and email. When you post content on Facebook, X, Instagram, Tik Tok, and other social networks, the defendant and their insurance provider may be able to view it. Rather than risk having this content used against you in court, you may want to stay off social media until your case is resolved.
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Get Legal Help with Your Personal Injury Case
If you want a spinal cord injury settlement in Virginia, you can request legal assistance. At MartinWren, P.C., we are here to help you out with your injury case. To schedule a free case consultation, contact us today.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
