How Can a Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Help You?
Spinal cord injuries can result in lifelong disabilities, extensive medical treatments, and overwhelming emotional and financial burdens. After experiencing such a trauma, you need a proven and compassionate legal team by your side to guide you through the complex legal system and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you know the devastating impact it can have on a life. Time, energy, and resources have to be diverted from normal life events into tasks related to medical care, unemployment, and reimagining your future.
At the Smith Law Center, we understand the challenges that come with a spinal cord injury, and we’re dedicated to providing the highest level of legal representation to our clients. Our team of skilled attorneys has years of experience handling spinal cord injury cases, including one of our featured case results for a client who was awarded $685,000 after a neck injury caused by a car accident. We work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the best possible outcome and the maximum compensation for their injuries.
If you’re recuperating after a spinal cord injury, your focus needs to be on healing and rebuilding your life, not researching the law and filing court documents. Let us handle the work involved in negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing a lawsuit on your behalf so you can recover in peace. Contact our Hampton, Virginia law firm today online or by calling (757) 244-7000 to schedule a free consultation.
Read on for more information about Virginia spinal cord injury lawsuits.
What Kind of Settlement Can a Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Help You Secure?
Some of the most common types of damages that may be available in a Virginia spinal cord injury lawsuit include coverage for:
- Medical expenses: You may be able to recover compensation for past and future medical expenses related to your spinal cord injury, such as hospital bills, medication expenses, any necessary medical equipment, and ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Lost income: If your spinal cord injury has caused you to miss work or become unable to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: Spinal cord injuries can cause excruciating physical pain, emotional suffering, and a decreased quality of life. You may be able to recover damages for the pain and suffering you have endured and will continue to experience.
- Punitive damages: In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or intentional, you may be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the defendant for their behavior and to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
- Wrongful death: Surviving family members of someone who lost their life due to a spinal cord injury may file a wrongful death lawsuit to cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, loss of future income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering associated with their grief.
Your Virginia spinal cord injury attorney from Smith Law Center will gather documentation for past costs and consult experts to calculate future costs. Your lawyer will also introduce evidence to account for “invisible” damages, such as the loss of enjoyment of life experienced when a person is prevented from participating in activities that were previously enjoyed.
Loss of enjoyment damages can address the inability to sports, playing with children, traveling, driving, or simply moving through the world easily and without pain. These too are real losses that the court may recognize and compensate if a skilled attorney properly presents them during negotiations or trial.
What Kinds of Accidents Does a Virginia Spinal Injury Lawyer Handle?
Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents and negligent injuries. At the Smith Law Center, our spinal injury lawyers regularly represent clients for:
- Car, commercial truck, motorcycle, and rideshare accidents
- Boating and pedestrian accidents
- Premises liability including slip-and-fall or swimming pool injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Nursing home abuse cases
- Medical malpractice injuries
- Product liability for items like bicycles or helmets
Spinal cord injuries can happen in a broad range of contexts, meaning this is only a partial list of legal options — if you suffered a spinal cord injury in any instance that involved another person’s negligence, contact the Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 to discuss the circumstances and explore your options.
Spinal Cord Injury Facts and Statistics
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
- There are approximately 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injury each year in the United States.
- The leading cause of spinal cord injury is vehicular accidents, followed by falls.
- The lifetime cost of care for a person with an injury to the spinal cord at the neck level (high tetraplegia) is estimated to be around $5 million.
A spinal cord injury lawsuit may be the only way to secure the full amount of funds needed for dignified lifelong care.
What Does a Virginia Spinal Injury Attorney Do for Your Case?
A Virginia spine injury attorney from Smith Law Center can provide legal services such as:
- Investigating the case: A personal injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the case to gather evidence and build a strong case. This may involve obtaining police reports, medical records, witness statements, and other relevant evidence.
- Evaluating damages: A personal injury attorney will evaluate the extent of the damages suffered by their client, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, to determine the appropriate compensation amount.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Personal injury attorneys are skilled negotiators who will work with insurance companies to reach a settlement that is fair and just for their clients.
- Filing a lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a personal injury attorney will file a lawsuit on behalf of their client and represent them in court.
- Representing clients in court: A personal injury attorney will represent their clients in court, presenting evidence and arguing on their behalf to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.
Overall, your lawyer’s primary goal is to ensure you receive fair and comprehensive compensation for your injuries, all while protecting your right to privacy throughout the legal process.
Contact Experienced Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
The spine is the pathway between your brain and the operation of your entire body. Even the slightest injury like a sprained muscle can be debilitating, and catastrophic injuries like slipped discs, broken bones, or severed nerves entirely alter the course of a person’s life.
Knowing the profound impact that spinal cord injuries have on our clients and their families, the Smith Law Center works on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not require upfront payment, and instead offer our services and invest our resources to hire experts and build your case first. We only earn our fees after we have successfully delivered results for you.
If you need advocates to handle complex legal matters on your behalf, while protecting your rights and negotiating for the true cost of your injury both past and future, we’re here to help. Reach out to the Smith Law Center online or by phone at (757) 244-7000 for the representation you need for seeking the justice you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much compensation can I receive for a spinal cord injury in Virginia?
The amount of compensation you may receive for a spinal cord injury in Virginia depends on several factors, including the severity of your injury, the extent of your damages, and the strength of the case your attorney prepares. Some of the largest settlements and verdicts in the U.S. for spinal injuries are in the multi-million dollar range due to the high cost of injuries that can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia paralysis.
Will my spinal cord injury case go to trial?
It’s possible that your spinal cord injury case may go to trial, but most cases are settled out of court in a relatively timely manner. However, while a full trial may take longer, the amounts ordered by a judge can be far higher than the amounts the opposing side would ever agree to in negotiations.
Your spine injury attorney from the Smith Law Center can handle your case all the way through a trial if that is the best way to reach a satisfactory resolution. We will always work towards your best interests to ensure you have meaningful compensation as soon as possible.
What evidence is needed to prove a spinal cord injury case in Virginia?
To prove a spinal cord injury case in Virginia, your lawyer will need to provide evidence that the defendant was negligent and that their negligence caused your injury. This may include medical records, witness statements, accident reports, and other relevant documentation.
We also have the ability to hire expert witnesses like physical therapists and economists to accurately account for the true cost of your injury going forward. We use those calculations to demand a fair amount during negotiations.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Virginia?
In Virginia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including spinal cord injury cases, is 2 years from the date of the injury. It is crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the statute of limitations. Contact the Smith Law Center at (757) 244-7000 today — we may be able to begin work on your case right away so you don’t miss your window for justice.
Proudly Serving Virginia Residents for Over 70 Years
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
- Risk Factors for a Spinal Cord Injury
- Lifetime Costs of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Common Spinal Cord Injury Causes
- Spinal Cord Injury Signs and Symptoms
- Spinal Cord Injury Statistics
- Degrees and Severity of Spinal Cord Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury Prognosis
- Spinal Cord Injury Treatment and Rehabilitation
- Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits
- What Type of Damages Can I Receive for a Spinal Cord Injury?
- Get In Touch with a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer




SPEAK TO US NOW FOR FREE
Your legal questions answered, completely free of charge.
DELIVERING RESULTS SINCE 1949
We are one of Virginia’s largest and most successful law firms.
IF WE DON’T WIN, YOU DON’T PAY
There are absolutely no out-of-pocket fees for filing a claim.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Use the simple form below to send a message directly to our lawyers. We will respond within 1 hour or less during business hours.
SPEAK TO US NOW FOR FREE
Your legal questions answered, completely free of charge.
IF WE DON’T WIN, YOU DON’T PAY
There are absolutely no out-of-pocket fees for filing a claim.
If you or a relative had a severe reaction to military housing mold, it might be time to talk with a toxic mold lawyer. Mold is everywhere, and can be dangerous. Researchers have linked mold to serious respiratory illnesses in some individuals.
Smith Law Center may be able to help if a property owner failed to keep you safe from mold in your military housing. We are one of Virginia’s oldest and most successful firms. We know how to hold negligent property owners responsible, especially when the military is involved.
Call us at (757) 244-700 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. There’s no fee for learning more about Virginia mold laws, your rights, and your legal options.
Mold in Military Housing
Black mold in military housing became widely known when Reuters published an investigation in 2018. Since then, the Department of Defense and the housing providers were supposed to take steps to improve the situation.
Unfortunately, a 2020 audit by the DoD Office of Inspector General found many issues, including the need for mold remediation, still persist.
Monetary Awards in Military Housing Toxic Mold Cases
If the property owner lets toxic mold run wild and continue to cause you harm, talk with our toxic mold attorneys about filing a lawsuit.
You may receive financial compensation for:
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
Service members and their families do not receive different types of damages than civilians. These are civil lawsuits in traditional courts of law.
Military Housing Mold Toxicity Symptoms
The Institute of Medicine discovered there was evidence connecting exposure to indoor mold with:
- Upper respiratory tract symptoms;
- Coughing;
- Wheezing;
- Asthma symptoms in individuals with asthma; and
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals with weak immune systems.
There is also limited evidence that mold causes respiratory illnesses in healthy children or causes people to develop asthma.
Understanding Exposure to Toxic Mold in Military Housing
The topic of toxic mold is complicated. This Is in part because the term “toxic mold” isn’t accurate. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains mold isn’t toxic or poisonous. However, some molds are toxigenic, which means they produce toxins called mycotoxins.
Mold is common in military housing because it’ll grow anywhere there’s moisture. That includes on and inside walls, carpet, upholstery, wallpaper, and heating and air conditioning systems. This is especially pronounced in humid conditions such as those present in Virginia.
Some people have no difficulties around mold, even large infestations in their homes. Other individuals are sensitive to molds, including those that produce mycotoxins. Someone can have a severe reaction when exposed to a large amount of mold indoors.
People may be more likely to experience mold toxicity symptoms if they have:
- Allergies,
- An underlying lung disease,
- Immune suppression,
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder,
- Asthma, or
- Another chronic respiratory disease.
Common Types of Military Housing Mold
When you’re trying to learn more from the CDC and other resources, you’ll see the word “fungus” a lot. Mold is a type of fungus, which is something that exists all around us. Fungi are living organisms different from animals, plants, and bacteria. There are over 200,000 types of fungi and over 100,000 types of molds.
If you discovered mold in your military housing, it could be Cladosporium, Penicillium, Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus, or many other types. Stachybotrys is what everyone knows as black mold. Aspergillus is a common indoor fungus, which releases mycotoxins and can cause illness. Your symptoms may resemble common allergy or asthma symptoms.
Who is Liable for Military Housing Mold?
Since 1996, most military housing has come under the management of private companies:
- Belfour Beatty Communities: Fort Eustis and Fort Story/li>
- Lincoln Military Housing: Dahlgren, Little Creek, Naval Station Norfolk, Northwest Annex, Oceana, Portsmouth, Quantico, and Yorktown/li>
- Hunt Military Communities: Fort Lee and Langley AFB
Outside of Virginia, Lendlease and Corvias Military Living are two more housing providers. Together, these five companies formed the Military Housing Association.
Military families living in on-base housing must take their complaints to their private management company — not the military. The company is responsible for providing habitable conditions and making repairs, including mold remediation.
If you’re unsure about your rights, review your state law and local ordinances about mold. In general, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to provide a habitable unit, which means it has to be safe to live in. A unit isn’t safe if it’s causing a tenant health issues due to mold.
The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires landlords to disclose if there’s mold in the written report of the move-in inspection. If a tenant discovers visible mold in the unit, then the Act requires the landlord to remove the mold and relocate the tenant until it’s gone at no additional cost to the tenant.
Unfortunately, many families find their housing providers aren’t receptive to complaints. Attorney Stephen M. Smith has handled many mold lawsuits against military housing providers who fail to abide by their lease terms and the law when it comes to mold remediation and other hazards.
Other Hazards in Military Housing
Many service members and their families deal with uncomfortable, if not hazardous, conditions in privatized military housing, including:
Lead Paint: Lead-based paint can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, irritability, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures, organ damage, and in extreme cases, death.
Asbestos: Exposure to asbestos harms a person’s lungs, and can lead to lung fibrosis (scarring), lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Radon: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It naturally forms underground, however cracks and gaps in buildings lead to over-exposure indoors.
Poor Water Quality: Dozens of military sites have water with detectable levels of harmful chemicals.
Other issues involve rodent or insect infestations, pesticides, and faulty electrical wiring.
What Happens When a Lot of People Get Sick?
Sometimes mold exposure impacts a single individual or family. However, when the mold spreads throughout military housing, it can impact hundreds or thousands of people.
Occasionally, a large enough group of people are injured to allow for a class action or mass tort lawsuit. A class action lawsuit is one where a class representative acts as the plaintiff on behalf of the group of hurt individuals. Not every victim participates in the lawsuit. There are rules about when a group is big and similar enough to create a class action.
Mass tort lawsuits are different. When there are fewer plaintiffs who have their own set of circumstances, each person files a lawsuit. For efficiency’s sake, one or a couple of law firms may represent most plaintiffs, and the lawsuits are consolidated in a federal court.
Call the Military Housing Mold Lawyers at Smith Law Center for Help Right Away
Mold cases come about in a few ways. You or a loved one may start getting sick, and after weeks or months of struggling to find answers, you finally realize your military housing has a mold infestation. In other cases, you struggle with visible mold and then become ill.
Once you connect the illness with the mold, it’s time to talk with a toxic mold lawyer. Reaching out to an attorney early helps you build a strong compensation claim. We know how to collect evidence, identify who is liable, and craft a successful argument for a settlement or court award.
Attorney Stephen M. Smith has decades of experience handling injury claims and has been internationally recognized for his work. He has litigated cases involving catastrophic injuries and complex legal and scientific issues. In 2019, he was inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame.
You’re in good hands when you come to Smith Law Center for help. Reach out online or call (757) 244-7000 to schedule your 100% free consultation.
Military Housing Mold Lawsuits: FAQs
DELIVERING RESULTS SINCE 1949
We are one of Virginia’s largest and most successful law firms.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU - Tablet View
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Use the simple form below to send a message directly to our lawyers. We will respond within 1 hour or less during business hours.