Richmond Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

A spinal cord injury can turn your life upside-down, affecting you physically, emotionally, and financially. After a catastrophic accident, you don’t need just any Richmond spinal cord injury lawyer; you need an experienced ally who will fight for the settlement or verdict you deserve.

I’m Ed Atkinson, and as a Richmond personal injury lawyer, I’m here to help you get the money you need during this challenging time. I can meet with you in person, or we can connect over the phone or online.

If we choose to move forward, I’ll gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, and fight for justice in court if needed. Contact Atkinson Law today to get started with a zero-risk legal consultation.

Negligence That Causes Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord damage often results from serious accidents involving negligent or reckless behavior. When pursuing a settlement or court award, you or your lawyer must establish that the responsible party had a duty to act reasonably but failed to do so.

Examples of negligence leading to spinal cord injuries include:

• Distracted or reckless driving: Engaging in irresponsible behavior while operating a vehicle can lead to devastating car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. 
• Failure to maintain safe premises: Property owners or managers who neglect to ensure safe conditions may be liable for injuries sustained on their premises. 
• Vehicle equipment malfunction: Safety issues with your car, such as defective seats, can contribute to accidents resulting in spinal cord damage. 

Regardless of the nature of your accident, if you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek monetary compensation for your damages.

Recoverable Damages in Richmond Spinal Cord Injury Cases

Spinal cord damage can make day-to-day life hard and wreak havoc on your finances. At Atkinson Law, we are dedicated to helping you obtain the money you need to lighten these burdens.

Here are the damages I could pursue as your attorney in a Richmond spinal cord injury claim:

• Medical bills: This includes costs for emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, rehabilitation, therapy, assistive devices, and ongoing medical treatment or home care. We will also ask for money for home and vehicle modifications, if necessary, such as wheelchair ramps or lifts.
• Lost income: If your injury has rendered you unable to work or has decreased your earning capacity, we will pursue money for lost wages and future income.
• Pain and suffering: Spinal cord injury victims experience extreme discomfort and mental anguish. Experiencing a loss of sensation or complete paralysis can be devastating. We will push for a settlement that covers your pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Your injury may keep you from doing things you once enjoyed. You deserve extra money for this loss of quality of life.

The amount of money you receive will depend on the specifics of your case and the impact of the injury on your life. As your Richmond spinal cord injury lawyer, my team and I will work around the clock to get you a fair settlement or court award for all you’ve been through. 

Potential for Punitive Damages in a Richmond Accident Case

Virginia courts award punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party showed an unlawful disregard for others’ safety. For example, in car accident cases where a drunk driver has injured my client, I seek punitive damages.

If the at-fault driver’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.15% or higher or they refused the breathalyzer test, the case is likely eligible for punitive damages under Code of Virginia § 8.01-44.5. Even if the intoxicated driver’s BAC is below 0.15%, I can still get them under something called “common law.”

Engaging in drag racing is another example of grossly negligent behavior that may be grounds for punitive damages. 

Wrongful Death Compensation

Sadly, many spinal cord injury patients do not survive. If a family member passes away during or soon after an accident, I can represent you in a wrongful death claim. While nothing can undo what happened, money can lighten the financial burdens during a difficult time.

In Virginia, the following family members can seek damages through a wrongful death lawsuit:

• Husband or wife
• Parents
• Children
• Grandchildren
• Siblings (in cases where there is no surviving spouse, child, or grandchild)

As a Virginia personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, I can represent you in either type of case.

Virginia’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

After a long hospital stay, understanding the time limit for suing the at-fault party is crucial. In Virginia, the statute of limitations for initiating a lawsuit is typically two years from the injury date, as outlined in the Code of Virginia § 8.01-243. However, certain exceptions may either shorten or extend this deadline.

While two years may seem like plenty of time, it’s never a good idea to wait. Starting the legal process soon after the incident allows my team to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong case on your behalf.

During our first meeting or phone call, I can assess your situation and let you know how much time you have to sue, along with answering any other questions you may have.

Free Consultation With a Richmond Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Getting a fair settlement for a serious injury isn’t easy, but you don’t have to go through this alone. As a spinal cord injury lawyer serving Richmond, VA, I am here to protect your rights and fight for the money you need to rebuild your life.

As your attorney, I will gather evidence, negotiate with the insurance company, file the necessary paperwork, and represent you in court if needed. I accept cases on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact Atkinson Law today to schedule a free, zero-risk consultation.