Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Virginia & Tennessee

Coping with a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be among the most daunting challenges for both an injury victim and his or her loved ones. Beyond the severe physical repercussions, the emotional and financial toll can lead to overwhelming feelings of despair and helplessness.

If your SCI occurred because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you don’t have to suffer alone. For over two decades, spinal cord injury attorney Mark Hurt has helped injury victims secure millions of dollars in compensation.

Call the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt today to schedule a free consultation.

With more than 30 years of serving those injured by others, Mark tenaciously seeks maximum compensation from all those liable, including damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, care expenses, and all other damages recoverable under Virginia or Tennessee law. Further, Mark and our firm represent injury victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we only receive a fee for our services if compensation is recovered on a client’s behalf.  We also advance all litigation costs and expenses. This means that you will not have to worry about coming out-of-pocket to pay these costs while your case is ongoing.

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Approximately 247,000 to 358,000 people in the United States currently suffer from a spinal cord injury.[1] While vehicle crashes are the primary cause of SCI, other common causes include:

• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Sports-related injuries
• Boating incidents
• Violent attacks like gunshot and stabbing
• Work-related mishaps
• Accidents from slips and falls

Spinal cord injuries vary significantly, and can include:

• Nerve injuries
• Broken vertebrae
• Disc injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Central cord syndrome

It’s therefore important to have a physician carefully assess the full range of injury and impairment in a spinal cord injury case.

How Much Will a Spinal Cord Injury Cost Over a Lifetime?

Every spinal cord injury is unique.  So too are the associated care costs for those with spinal cord injuries.

Those suffering from quadriplegia may be unable to move below their neck, and may require constant care, including, in some cases, machines to breathe.  In these ultra-severe cases, medical bills and care costs can easily reach millions of dollars. For instance, The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistic Center suggests that a 25-year-old with a High Tetraplegia (C1-C4) injury may have lifetime costs of about $4,891,398. The first-year cost for such injuries often surpasses $1,000,000.

A research study by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation highlighted that many affected by paralyzing spinal cord injuries struggle to find health insurance that sufficiently covers the typical complications of their ailment. This often leaves them dependent on relatives or close friends for primary care. Remarkably, over 50 million individuals annually step in to provide this invaluable care, amounting to an estimated $306 billion each year.

Beyond immediate expenses like healthcare or home assistance, those with spinal cord injuries may also grapple with significant indirect costs. These might include lost earnings due to inability to work or decreased efficiency. On an average scale, a person with a spinal cord injury faces around $72,000 in indirect costs annually. However, this amount can soar if the injured individual had a high-income profession, like a doctor, and can no longer work in such a capacity.

Considering the immense direct and hidden costs linked with spinal cord injuries, pursuing compensation becomes essential to ensure the victim and their families can manage the long-term care that might be necessary.

What Types of Compensation Are Available for Spinal Code Injuries?

Spinal injuries, especially resulting in conditions like quadriplegia, can lead to hefty lifetime expenses, sometimes reaching $5,000,000. This doesn’t even factor in damages like lost wages.

If someone else’s reckless, negligent, or intentional actions caused an SCI, the victim may be entitled to take legal action to recover compensation for both direct and indirect costs, including:

• Past and Future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress
• Lost earnings
• Caregiving costs
• Adjustments needed due to the injury
• Shortened life expectancy resulting from significant injuries

Other state-specific damages also may be available. For example, under Tennessee law, spinal cord injury victims can be awarded up to $1,000,000 dollars for noneconomic damages if an SCI resulted in paraplegia or quadriplegia.

As an experienced spinal cord injury lawyer serving residents in Tennessee and Virginia, Mark Hurt has worked with SCI victims for over three decades and understands the diligent work required to maximize the recovery of compensation for victims. Computing detailed care costs.  Working with financial experts to quantify lost wages. Getting the opinions of physicians and other medical experts to understand future medical treatment and potential decrease if life expectancy.  Quantifying pain and suffering, including matters such as depression, as well as the loss of enjoyment of life and the potential inability to interact with a spouse or to enjoy physical activities alone and with family members.

If you or a family member has sustained a severe spinal cord injury, call for a free consultation to speak directly with spinal cord injury attorney Mark Hurt.

How Long Do I Have to File a Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuit in Virginia and Tennessee?

Every state specifies a different amount of time that an individual will have to file a claim in court, which is referred to as the “statute of limitations.” The following details the general statutes of limitations in both Tennessee and Virginia:

• Tennessee. For personal injury cases, including spinal cord injuries, a person generally has one year from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit in Tennessee.
• Virginia. In Virginia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury.

In most cases, the date of the injury will trigger the start date for the applicable statute of limitations.  However, it’s crucial to note several things:

• The starting date of the statute of limitations can vary based on factors such as the discovery of the injury or the age of the plaintiff. For instance, if a spinal cord injury is not immediately discovered, the clock may start from the date the injury was or should have been discovered.
• In cases involving minors, the statute of limitations often doesn’t start until the minor reaches the age of majority.
• There may be specific exceptions or nuances to the law that can impact the deadline to file.

With all severe injuries it’s important to contact an experienced personal injury law as soon as possible after the injury has occurred. In addition to the statute of limitations, it’s critical to begin conducting a prompt investigation into the cause of the injury before accident scenes change, witnesses forget what they saw, and evidence is destroyed (which is especially the case in vehicle accidents).

Given the complexity and stakes involved in spinal cord injury lawsuits, it’s also vital to consult with an attorney who’s familiar with the specific laws of your jurisdiction. At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we can evaluate the facts of your case and provide guidance regarding the statute of limitations.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Mark Hurt.

For over 30 years, Mark Hurt has represented SCI and other injury victims across Virginia and Tennessee, obtaining substantial compensation for their long-term needs. His extensive experience, track record of success, and dedication make him the ideal choice for such complex cases.

If you or a loved one suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligent actions, we invite you to call our offices today to schedule a free consultation. Firm-founding attorney Mark Hurt can listen to the facts of your case, explain your legal options, and tenaciously fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are rightfully entitled.

Contact us today for a free consultation – No Fee Unless Compensation is Recovered

[1] https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202018.pdf