Southwest Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer for Quadriplegia & Paraplegia

Southwest Virginia Spinal Cord Injury LawyerApproximately 288,000 Americans suffer from debilitating spinal cord injuries (“SCI”), and this number unfortunately is growing.[1]  Statistics show that an estimated 17,700 new SCI cases are reported each year, mostly as the result of vehicle crashes.

SCI can have devastating emotional, physical, and financial impacts, leaving many victims and their families feeling helpless. If you or a family member has sustained a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s negligence (including reckless driving), we can help you in seeking full compensation from all those liable, including pain and suffering, lost wages, medical costs, care expenses, and all other damages recoverable under Virginia law.

Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries 

While, the majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents and crashes, there are a variety of other causes that result in thousands of spinal cord injuries each year, including:

  • Car, truck, taxi, motorcycle, bicycling, and pedestrian accidents and crashes
  • Medical malpractice
  • Sports injuries, including football, gymnastics, and diving accidents
  • Boating injuries
  • Gunshot and stabbing wounds
  • Criminal violence and battery
  • Work related accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents

The degree of spinal cord impairment and types of injuries also vary.  The following are some of the common SCI:

  • Nerve damage
  • Fractured vertebrae
  • Damaged Discs
  • Lacerations
  • Central cord syndrome
  • Partial paralysis
  • Paraplegia
  • Quadriplegia

The spine is an integral part of the body, and damage to the spinal cord can have effects on other parts of the body.  For instance, if you injure your lumbar spine, you may experience not only lower back pain but may also develop symptoms in your legs.

As an experienced Southwest Virginia spinal cord injury lawyer, Mark Hurt understands the types of evidence needed to make a strong case.  He has helped numerous clients in spinal cord injury cases obtain full compensation from all those liable.

How Much Can I Recover in a Spinal Injury Case?

Not only are spinal cord injuries devastating for the injury victim and their family, they can be astronomically expensive if paraplegia or quadriplegia results.  An SPI victim with quadriplegia who can no longer care for themselves can easily incur medical and care costs of $5,000,000 dollars over the course of a lifetime, and this does not include other costs such as lost wages.[2]

Even those less injured can suffering substantial medical bills, in addition to tremendous pain and suffering that may last a lifetime.

Under Virginia law, injury victims are entitled to full compensation for all damages resulting directly from being injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another person.  Damages may include compensation for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Past and future pain and suffering
  • Lost Wages
  • Care expenses, including in-home care if required
  • Other necessary costs related to quadriplegia and paraplegia, such as home and vehicle modifications, wheelchairs, and other care equipment
  • Damages as the result of a potentially-shortened life span from severe injuries
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment (this relates to being unable to engage in activities that you formerly enjoyed)
  • Emotional distress
  • Property loss (such as the loss of a vehicle)

Making Your Case for Full Compensation 

In the case of severe spinal cord damage cases, we will retain medical experts, care experts, lost wage experts, and potentially other experts that may be needed to help prove the cases of our clients.  Because lost wages, care, and medical expenses can reach into the millions of dollars, it will be critical to retain the experts who can carefully and effectively make your case to a jury.  In all likelihood, if you’ve been severely injured, the defendant(s) and their attorneys will want to minimize their liability by challenging you damages and pain and suffering through their own experts; we will tenaciously refute these claims with experts.

With respect to care expenses, if you have been injured and need ongoing care, you deserve top-level, professional care if you are unable to care for yourself because of your injuries.  We will be there to make your case and demand all of the compensation to which you are due. 

Identifying and Holding Accountable All Those Responsible for Your Injury 

In many spinal injury cases, there are multiple people and/or entities that may be responsible.  In a sports injury, such as football, those potentially liable could including football helmet manufacturers, school districts, and others.

It is our job to learn about all facts and circumstances involving a spinal injury so that we can then seek full justice and compensation from all those who we believe are legally liable. 

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

A personal injury claim for a spinal cord injury must be filed within a specified amount of time.  In Virginia, this period, referred to as the statute of limitations, is two years from the date of injury.  If a timely filing is not made within such time period, a claim will likely be barred, such that a victim will lose their right to bring a legal claim.

Under certain limited circumstances, such as in the case of injuries that are not initially readily apparent, the statute of limitations may be extended.  In cases such as these, the statute of limitations will begin on the day that an injury is first discovered, rather than on the date of the injury.

As in all injury cases, it is best to contact an experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible, not only to make sure that the legal filing deadlines are met, but also to begin preserving evidence and seeking discovery to make a case.

Why Should I Hire an Experienced Southwest VA Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer?

From Abingdon and Wytheville, to Hillsville and Roanoke; spinal cord injury attorney Mark Hurt has spent over three decades representing SCI injury victims from all over Southwest Virginia.  Over this time, he has helped numerous SCI victims get compensation to help pay for long term medical care and living expenses.

Mark is a graduate of Duke Law School, and has represented clients through Virginia in numerous counties, and before Virginia’s appellate courts, as well as in federal trial and appellate court, and before the United States Supreme Court.  Mark is known for zealous advocacy and client dedication, and a long record of working tenaciously in seeing that clients get every dollar they deserve.  If you hire the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of an experienced trial lawyer who knows what it takes to get compensation for victims with severe and lifelong injuries.

Legal Fees and Expenses for Spinal Cord Injury Cases

After a traumatic spinal cord injury, one of the last things you need to worry about are legal fees or expenses.  At the Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, you will only pay a fee if we obtain compensation for you from a settlement or trial award.   Additionally, we advance litigation costs and expenses on behalf of clients (these expenses are normally deducted from a settlement or verdict).  Prior to commencing our representation, we will provide you with a fee agreement that outlines the terms of our engagement, including costs and fees, and we will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. 

We invite you to contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more.


[1] Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance, National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (2018), https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202018.pdf.

[2] Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Figures at a Glance, National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (2018), https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/Public/Facts%20and%20Figures%20-%202018.pdf (Victims who sustain high tretraplegia have an estimated lifetime cost of $4,891,398 if they are 25 years old at the time of the injury).

What Our Clients Say

Mary, Bart, and Mark helped me tremendously with my workers compensation case. We navigated a long (over a year) road together and they helped me to not only win my case, but obtain a settlement of over $125k. I would recommend the Offices of Mark Hurt to anyone needing someone to stand with them in their corner! Thanks again Mary and Bart!! :-)
Charles Dutcher
Charles Dutcher
1685471585
Extremely pleased with the prompt support and guidance from Michael. He and the office staff were great to work with. They walked us through the process and were able to have my daughter's traffic violation dismissed with 0 points.
ga thomson
ga thomson
1684936164
Bart and Mary were very professional and helpful with my claim. I appreciate all that you did for me. You were great.Thanks forall that you've done.Clifford E Boyer
Clifford Boyer
Clifford Boyer
1683668004
I started receiving services through this law firm in 2017 for my workers compensation case. Over the years, this firm has been attentive, kind, patient and understanding to my needs. My calls were returned promptly, if the associate was unavailable at that time and I have had ample opportunity to speak with Mr Hurt directly concerning my case. With Mary Wilson, Bart Conway, Mr Hurt and others behind the scene, my case has progressed smoothly. I am very pleased with the services and attention I received at this firm and would recommend Mr Hurt, Mary and Bart for your needs.
Teresa Harris
Teresa Harris
1683569779
We hired Mr. Hurt to help settle a worker’s comp injury case for my husband. Mark, Bart, and Mary worked tirelessly to resolve his case and reach a settlement we were pleased with. They were always available to answer questions and returned calls in a timely manner.
K F
K F
1682489385
We were fortunate to find the Law Offices of Mark T. Hunt to help us set up our estate. Melanie was a joy to work with. She did a wonderful job putting together all of the documents needed to complete our estate planning.
Roxanne Mcfall
Roxanne Mcfall
1681766365
The office got right back to me and were compassionate about my sensitive situation
polly deal
polly deal
1680754180
Jessica was helpful in assisting me with my disability claim!
Amber Snapp
Amber Snapp
1680618358
Jessica was super helpful when I had questions about submitting my claim for disability. She also got me a case manager quickly!
Amber Petrovich
Amber Petrovich
1680618228
I have only praise for the Mark T Hurt firm and especially Michael Miles. Michael was very helpful in guiding me through the court process ans assuring a good outcome. I would recommend this firm and Michael in particular if you need representation in Virginia!
Dave Dalpiaz
Dave Dalpiaz
1680114987
I called and spoke with Jessica in the Disability Dept. after my Denial and she was right on top of getting me the paperwork to Hire them as my Representatives to Handle my claim from here on out
Allen Smith
Allen Smith
1679416063
Jessica was extremely helpful at assisting me with getting me in the process to file my disability case.
Jason Harris
Jason Harris
1678138281
Thank youJessica from the Social security DeptU were very Helpful
Christal Postema
Christal Postema
1678134153
Jessica in theSoccial Secuity Dept was great
Bryon Nimmo
Bryon Nimmo
1678130439
I spoke with Jessica and she was fantastic! She helped me get my social security disability application started and set up with a case manager.
Rebecca Hunt Ford
Rebecca Hunt Ford
1678128980
Jessica @ Social Security Department was very helpful and friendly with us today.
Winonia Blankenship
Winonia Blankenship
1678125271
I had a ticket and was upset. I did not want points on my license. Frankie was amazing and made sure all my bases were covered. The Law Office of Mark Hurt did a wonderful job and got my ticket completely dismissed!!!! I am so glad they helped me. They were so nice and answered all my questions. I never had to worry after I talked with them. I would highly recommend that anyone who needs help with a ticket to talk with this firm!! Thank you so much for everything!!!
Nichloas Wyatt
Nichloas Wyatt
1677981214
Jessica in Disability is awesome!! She replies quickly and gets things done. I’m very satisfied with my choice and feel great that it is in their hands!
laura dykes
laura dykes
1677875154
The individuals I spoke with were courteous, helpful, and thorough. Thank you Jessica.
RoseMarie Whisnant
RoseMarie Whisnant
1677785574
Jessica and the disability dept are very helpful and give excellent assistance with filling a claim very glad I contacted them
Jessie Hawks
Jessie Hawks
1677680471
Was very easy process. Jessica was very friendly and helpful while applying for Social Security Disability.
Darlene Robinson
Darlene Robinson
1677623644
Thank you so much Jessica for helping me with my social security disability case! You were kind, helpful, and understanding. I greatly appreciate you!
Kelly Bragg
Kelly Bragg
1677613932
Jessica and the group started helping me with my disability case the same day I called. 10/10 recommend
Brittany Poole
Brittany Poole
1677612031
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