A spinal cord injury can change nearly every part of a person’s life: mobility, independence, work, family relationships, and plans for the future. When someone else’s negligence causes a catastrophic spinal cord injury, the case must account not only for what has already happened, but for what the injured person may need for the rest of his or her life.
Our firm obtained an $17,277,000 settlement for a 74-year old client who suffered a spinal cord injury, one of the largest settlements in Virginia history. Each case is different and we cannot guarantee a result, but we can promise to fight hard on every case we handle. Let us help you like we have helped so many others.
At MartinWren, P.C., we take your claims seriously. Set up a free consultation with a Richmond personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Richmond Lawyers Experienced With Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injury Cases
We approach every spinal cord injury case with a blend of deep compassion and unyielding strength. Our team understands the emotional weight you’re carrying, the medical challenges ahead, and the fear that comes with an uncertain future.
We don’t expect you to come to us. Our lawyers will come to you. Whether you’re recovering in a hospital, navigating life at home, or unable to travel due to your injuries, our attorneys will meet you wherever you are.
We routinely visit clients at their homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. And for those who prefer or need a remote option, we’re fully available via Zoom, FaceTime, or secure video conference, whatever makes this process easier and more accessible for you.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
What Does a Spinal Cord Injury Case Need to Account For?
The value of a serious spinal cord injury claim cannot be measured by adding up the medical bills incurred so far. A catastrophic injury may create needs that continue for decades.
Depending on the injury, we may work with physicians, rehabilitation specialists, life-care planners, economists, vocational experts, and other professionals to evaluate future needs such as:
- Ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Wheelchairs, mobility equipment, and replacement costs
- Attendant and personal care
- Accessible housing and home modifications
- Modified or accessible vehicles
- Medications, supplies, and medical equipment
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- The physical and emotional consequences of permanent disability
Your spinal cord injury attorney in Richmond will carefully review the specific details of your case to determine how much compensation you may receive. The insurance company should pay you for the total value of every economic and non-economic loss.
Our lawyers will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your incident and consider its ongoing impact on you. We identify all potential losses and maximize the value of your claim.
Possible Punitive Damages
In unusual cases involving willful, wanton, or exceptionally reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available. Virginia caps punitive damages at $350,000 per Virginia Law § 8.01-38.1 . We evaluate the facts and evidence in every case to determine whether a claim for punitive damages is legally supported.
Understanding the Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Not every spinal cord injury is the same. The consequences depend on the location and severity of the injury and whether it is complete or incomplete. Cervical spinal cord injuries can cause tetraplegia and affect both the arms and legs, while lower injuries may result in paraplegia.
The consequences can also extend far beyond the loss of movement. People with serious spinal cord injuries may face chronic pain, spasticity, pressure injuries, bowel and bladder complications, respiratory problems, autonomic dysreflexia, repeated hospitalizations, and the need for assistance with activities of daily living.
These details matter in a legal case because they help establish what the injured person will need—not simply next year, but potentially for the rest of his or her life.
Richmond Spinal Cord Lawyer Near Me (434) 817-3100
Why You Should Be Careful About an Early Settlement
A spinal cord injury claim should not be resolved before there is a reliable understanding of the injured person’s long-term prognosis and future needs.
An insurance company may focus on medical expenses incurred to date. But the much larger financial consequences of a catastrophic spinal cord injury can lie decades into the future. Future attendant care, medical treatment, rehabilitation, equipment replacement, home modifications, lost earning capacity, and complications associated with the injury can dramatically affect the true value of the case.
Once a claim is settled, you generally cannot return years later and demand additional compensation because your needs were underestimated. That is why our Richmond spinal cord injury lawyers work to understand the full lifetime impact of the injury before discussing resolution of the case.
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation in Richmond
People who sustain serious spinal cord injuries often require extensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation after leaving the acute-care hospital. Richmond is home to Sheltering Arms Institute, a rehabilitation hospital that provides specialized spinal cord injury rehabilitation and other neurological rehabilitation services.
For someone with a catastrophic spinal cord injury, rehabilitation may involve physical and occupational therapy, mobility and wheelchair training, assistance with activities of daily living, and planning for the transition home. The extent of that rehabilitation, and the care, equipment, and assistance a person may need afterward, can also be important in determining the long-term damages in a spinal cord injury case.
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Is There a Statute of Limitations for Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits in Virginia?
Yes, there is a strict statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Virginia. Your lawsuit must generally be filed within two years, according to Virginia Law § 8.01-243.
Your claim may also be subject to notice periods that will prevent you from pursuing a recovery unless you provide certain notices in a short window of time.
If your claim is not filed before time runs out, you may be prohibited from pursuing your case through the civil court system. Our Richmond spinal cord injury attorneys will review the details of your case and determine the exact deadline that applies to your situation.
Possible Exceptions
It may be the case that certain exceptions may exist to the standard statute of limitations. One typical example is if a minor child was the party who was injured.
In that situation, the statute of limitations might be extended until the child reaches 18 years of age (though this may not apply in certain medical malpractice cases).
The law may allow the statute of limitations to pause temporarily if extenuating circumstances apply. If so, you can find out how much longer you have to file your claim by discussing the specific details of your case with your Richmond catastrophic injury lawyer.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Richmond Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Now
A spinal cord injury case can affect your financial security and quality of life for decades. MartinWren, P.C., represents people and families facing catastrophic injuries throughout Richmond and Virginia. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss what happened, what your future may require, and how we can help protect it.
Set up a free consultation with our Richmond spinal cord injury lawyer now. We can discuss what we can do to make this better. Your recovery is our priority.
Reviewed and updated by Robert Byrne on August 21, 2026
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