Alexandria Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers

Every year, thousands of accident victims suffer significant injuries to the head, neck, and spinal cord area that can have a devastating impact on their life for years to come. While most people don’t plan for such an event, accidents that result in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries are becoming increasingly more common. According to a recent study from the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, there are over 12,000 new cases of traumatic spinal cord injury each year in the United States! A similar study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year. Many of these injuries stem from car accidents in Virginia, as we are home to both I-95 and I-81, and several very highly-trafficked Beltways.

The physical, emotional, and financial challenges that injured victims face following a significant brain or spinal cord injury can feel truly overwhelming. These types of injuries often result in extensive medical costs, elongated hospital stays, exhaustive physical therapy, and a recovery period that can last months or even years. The cost for these treatments can be enormous, and if the victim has been forced to miss work, the financial toll resulting from lost wages often leaves victims and their families under a mountain of debt.

At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys has been working with victims of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries for years. Our legal team has worked with countless individuals in an effort to guide them through the process of filing a personal injury claim so that they can pursue compensation that can cover medical costs, lost wages, permanent injury, and any additional pain and suffering they have been forced to endure.

If you or someone you love has suffered a brain or spinal cord injury and live in Alexandria, Virginia, or the surrounding areas of Fairfax, Woodbridge, Arlington, Prince William County, or the greater Washington, D.C. area, call or reach out to our firm today to discuss your legal options.

Common Causes for Brain & Spinal Cord Injuries

Most people who suffer a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury are the victims of a serious accident, often at the hands of a negligent third party. When someone else’s negligent or reckless actions lead to a serious accident that causes you or someone you love to suffer a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, you have the right to pursue full compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and any additional pain and suffering. Some of the most common accidents that lead to traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries include:

• Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents
• Drunk Driving Accidents
• Distracted Driving Accidents
• Slip & Fall Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Work-Related Accidents

These serious, and sometimes catastrophic injuries have to be caused by someone else’s negligence, in order for there to be a claim to be pursued. It is vital to call an attorney right away, to be able to investigate and preserve the evidence of that negligence – before that evidence disappears.

Luckily, there are laws in place that allow victims to hold these negligent parties accountable. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can file a claim that can help you recover compensation for any injuries you’ve sustained, medical treatments required, lost wages, and more.

Your Rights According to Virginia State Law

The unfortunate reality for many victims of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries is that the road to recovery is often long and extremely difficult. Many victims require multiple surgeries, physical therapy, or even in-home care or assistance if they are left with permanent disabilities or paralysis. However, with the help of an experienced brain and spinal cord injury attorney, you can file a personal injury claim against the responsible party or parties, through their insurance company. Motorists, business owners, and private property owners all have insurance policies in place to protect against such losses. If this step doesn’t yield the compensation you need or deserve, you have the option of filing a civil lawsuit against the responsible party in court.

Sometimes, a negligent party and their insurance company will recognize their fault, and offer their policy limits to the injured person. But what if that is insufficient to compensate you for your damages? What if your medical expenses outweigh their insurance coverage? This is another reason you need to call Blaszkow Legal right away: to investigate all of the other potential sources of recovery, including uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in the event of car accidents, or other liability policies benefiting the tortfeasor (person who causes the accident and injuries).

Statute of Limitations

Most states have a period of time during which you are allowed to file a civil lawsuit against another party for compensation following an accident. This period of time — often referred to as the statute of limitations — is two years from the date of the accident. This means that if you were injured on January 1st of 2021, you have until January 1st of 2023 to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court — regardless of when your injuries were discovered or treated by a medical professional.

Contributory Negligence Rule

The state of Virginia employs what is known as a “contributory negligence” rule. This rule dictates that if the court finds you to have any level of fault in causing the accident, you will not be eligible to receive any compensation. For example, if you were in a car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury, but the court finds that you were 5% at fault for the accident because you were speeding at the time, you will not be eligible to collect any compensation for your injuries. While this rule can make it more difficult to pursue damages, it does not mean that you cannot pursue a claim. With a skilled and experienced legal team on your side, you can fight to have your case heard as you attempt to prove you were not liable for the accident that caused your injuries.

Work with Experienced Attorneys You Can Trust

At the end of the day, dealing with the challenges of recovering from a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury is hard enough without also attempting to navigate the process of filing a personal injury claim. Luckily, you don’t have to face this entire process on your own. With an experienced personal injury attorney working in your corner, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have someone working to protect your rights and advocate for your needs throughout every phase of the legal process.

At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, our team of seasoned personal injury attorneys is proud to work with injured victims and their families to fight back against the insurance companies so that they can get the compensation they need and deserve. We will do everything we can to help you pursue financial compensation that can cover all of your medical costs, lost wages, and any additional pain and suffering you’ve been forced to endure. Don’t wait. Call or reach out to our firm today to schedule a free case consultation.

Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are two categories of spinal cord injuries, incomplete and complete. A complete spinal cord injury can cause total paralysis in areas below the injury. Paralysis can affect all limbs, or the lower half of the body. A partial or incomplete spinal cord injury may allow the person to retain some of their normal functioning. They may have weakness or paralysis in the limbs or hindered muscle sensations. Other factors that affect the severity of injury are age, health, factors of the accident, and mental health. To receive the compensation you deserve, we urge you to speak with a member of our team today.

How We Claim Compensation

A spinal cord injury can affect someone’s life by impacting their abilities and independence. A person may suffer financially, physically, and emotionally. These injuries often require expensive medical treatments, supportive equipment and devices, and potentially daily reliance upon caregivers. If you or a relative has sustained an injury to their spinal cord through the reckless, negligent, or intentional acts of another person, then monetary compensation may be available to you. What our Alexandria, VA spinal cord injury lawyer can do is help you submit a claim with strong evidence so that you get the most compensation possible.

What Damages You May Receive

We know that there may not be an amount of money that can undo what has already happened. But you can depend on us to seek a fair settlement to amend your costs. If you have experienced a spinal cord injury due to an at fault party, you may be able to recover payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death for surviving loved ones. Spinal cord injuries typically require surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and at-home care. If you are unable to return to your job, we can demand compensation for loss of income along with diminished future earnings. In the state of Virginia, a person can pursue restitution for non-economic damages such as emotional trauma. If your relative passed away from a spinal cord injury, a wrongful death case can give you the financial resources you need to grieve at this time.

Blaszkow Legal, PLLC

There are many people who have suffered spinal cord injuries due to the fault of someone else. If this is the situation you or a loved one is currently going through, we recommend contacting our team immediately for assistance. We can imagine the stress you may be under dealing with the physical and financial impacts of such an injury. It can take time to recover from spinal cord injuries. For some, they may not return to the health they had before the incident. We are here for you as you navigate through a really difficult time. Let us take care of the legal and insurance matters while you focus on you and your family. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, we are ready to take on your case.

Common Causes Of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can result from many different types of accidents. They range in severity and can impact a person’s ability to work, communicate, or live independently. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, we’ve worked with individuals and families dealing with these life-altering injuries, and our Alexandria, VA brain injury lawyer knows how important it is to identify what caused the trauma. Northern Virginia Magazine listed attorney Blaszkow as a Top Lawyer in 2021 and 2022. Below are some of the most common causes we see in brain injury cases.

• Motor Vehicle Accidents. Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are among the leading causes of brain injuries. A sudden jolt or impact can cause the brain to move inside the skull, even if there is no direct blow to the head. This includes both collisions where the person hits their head and crashes where the force alone causes damage. Pedestrians and cyclists hit by vehicles are also at high risk.
• Falls. Falls are a major source of brain injuries, especially in older adults and young children. These incidents often happen on stairs, in bathrooms, or on uneven surfaces. Workplace falls, especially in construction or industrial jobs, also frequently result in head trauma. Even a fall from standing height can cause serious damage, depending on how the person lands.
• Sports and Recreational Activities. Athletes in contact sports like football, hockey, or boxing are more likely to experience concussions and repeated head trauma. But brain injuries can also occur during recreational activities like biking, skateboarding, or skiing, especially without proper protective gear. These types of injuries may build over time or occur in a single event.
• Violence and Assault. Assaults involving blunt force to the head, gunshot wounds, or physical abuse can result in serious brain injuries. These cases can involve domestic violence, fights, or criminal attacks. In some situations, the damage may not be immediately obvious but can lead to long-term health problems if left untreated.
• Workplace Accidents. Our Alexandria brain injury lawyer knows that certain jobs carry a higher risk of head trauma, especially in construction, transportation, and manufacturing. Falling tools, machinery malfunctions, or being struck by moving equipment can lead to significant brain injuries. In many of these cases, safety violations or a lack of proper training may be contributing factors.
• Medical Incidents. Some brain injuries happen due to medical events, such as oxygen loss during surgery or childbirth. Others may result from undiagnosed conditions, surgical errors, or medication interactions. These injuries are often harder to detect at first but can be just as serious as those caused by trauma.
• Bicycle and Scooter Accidents. With more people using bikes and electric scooters in cities, we’re seeing more head injuries linked to these devices. Helmets help reduce risk, but collisions with vehicles or falls on pavement can still lead to concussions or more severe trauma.

If someone you care about has suffered a brain injury, identifying the cause is one of the first steps in moving forward. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, we work with families to hold responsible parties accountable. Attorney Joseph Blaszkow has been successfully representing clients since 1981. Reach out to our Alexandria brain injury lawyer if you’d like to discuss what happened and how we can help.

What To Do After Suffering A TBI

Our Alexandria, VA TBI lawyer knows that a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change someone’s life in an instant. Whether the result of a car crash, fall, or another accident, it’s important to take clear, practical steps in the days and weeks that follow. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, we’ve helped many individuals and families dealing with the impact of a TBI. Our firm was named “The Best of Alexandria” in 2023 and we work hard to live up to those standards for our clients. Here are some actions we recommend taking if you or someone close to you has suffered this type of injury.

• Seek Ongoing Medical Treatment. After the initial emergency care, it’s important to follow up with your doctors. TBIs can come with a wide range of symptoms, some of which may take time to appear. Follow all medical advice, attend every appointment, and keep track of any changes in your condition. Regular treatment helps your recovery and also creates a clear medical record of your injury.
• Document Symptoms and Changes. Keeping a daily log of symptoms can be helpful, especially if they change over time. Write down physical effects like headaches, memory loss, balance problems, or fatigue, as well as any emotional or behavioral changes. This record can support your case and show how the injury has affected your daily life.
• Preserve Evidence from the Incident. If the TBI happened in a crash or another type of accident, try to keep any evidence you have. This may include photos of the scene, contact details for witnesses, or any reports from police or emergency responders. If there is surveillance footage or dashcam video available, act quickly to obtain a copy before it’s deleted or lost.
• Avoid Discussing the Incident Publicly. Our Alexandria TBI lawyer knows it’s best not to talk about the accident or your injuries on social media. Posts can be misinterpreted or taken out of context, and insurance companies sometimes use this type of content to question injury claims. Keeping details private protects your case and avoids unnecessary complications.
• Track Expenses and Missed Work. TBIs often result in time off from work, ongoing treatment, and other expenses. Keep a folder with all receipts, bills, and proof of missed income. This could include pay stubs, disability claims, or notes from your employer. The more detailed the records, the better prepared we’ll be when we build your case.
• Get Support from Family or Friends. After a TBI, it can be difficult to manage daily tasks or even remember appointments. Don’t hesitate to ask someone close to help you keep track of things. A trusted family member or friend can attend doctor visits, help monitor symptoms, or take notes during important conversations.
• Contact a Lawyer Early. The sooner you reach out for legal support, the better positioned you’ll be. A lawyer can help gather evidence, speak to the insurance companies, and make sure deadlines are met. We recommend reaching out before giving any formal statements or signing paperwork related to the incident.

Dealing with a traumatic brain injury is never easy, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, we work with individuals and families after serious injuries to help them take action and move forward. We offer free case evaluations, so don’t hesitate to give us a call. Contact our Alexandria TBI lawyer if you’re ready to talk about what happened and how we may be able to help.

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD
INJURY ATTORNEYS SERVING
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

Recovering from a serious brain or spinal cord injury is never easy on your own. That’s why our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here to provide the legal guidance and representation you need to pursue compensation for your injuries. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, call or reach out to our firm, Blaszkow Legal, PLLC, today for a free consultation. We’re proud to serve clients in Alexandria, Virginia, and the surrounding areas of Fairfax, Woodbridge, Arlington, Prince William County, and the Washington, D.C. area.