Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Virginia

When a catastrophic injury strikes, your life changes in an instant. A severe accident can leave you facing permanent disability, mounting medical bills, lost income, and an uncertain future. At CHASENBOSCOLO, we understand the devastating impact catastrophic injuries have on you and your family. For nearly four decades, our team has fought to secure the compensation our clients deserve. Since 1986, we’ve recovered over $750 million for injured Virginians. Our Fairfax office stands ready to help you manage this challenging time. We offer 24/7 availability and free consultations.

What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury in Virginia?

In Virginia law, a catastrophic injury refers to an injury so severe that it fundamentally alters a person’s ability to work, care for themselves, and enjoy life. These injuries share three defining characteristics: the nature and extent of the injury itself, the medical treatment required, and the lasting impact on daily functioning and independence.

Catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries that cause cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. Spinal cord injuries result in paralysis. Severe burns require extensive reconstructive surgery. Amputations of limbs create permanent disability. Permanent vision or hearing loss affects daily functioning. Internal organ damage creates ongoing complications. The classification matters significantly because catastrophic injuries typically qualify for substantially higher compensation than other personal injury claims. Virginia law provides a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Acting quickly preserves evidence and protects your legal rights.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries

Our attorneys bring extensive experience handling the full spectrum of catastrophic injury cases. We’ve secured substantial recoveries for clients suffering from:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) result from severe head trauma. They can cause cognitive impairment, memory loss, and behavioral changes. These injuries often require years of rehabilitation and adaptive equipment. Our team has successfully represented clients with TBI. We secured a $1.2 million settlement for a motor vehicle accident victim requiring lifetime neurological care and cognitive rehabilitation. Brain injury cases demand specialized medical expertise and understanding of long-term neurological complications.

Spinal Cord Injuries cause paralysis, quadriplegia, or paraplegia. They result in permanent loss of mobility and independence. These injuries demand comprehensive lifetime care. This includes specialized medical treatment, home modifications, and personal assistance. We secured a $1.8 million settlement for a construction worker who suffered a spinal cord injury from a fall at a job site. The settlement covered lifetime care, vocational rehabilitation, and compensation for permanent disability. Spinal cord injury compensation requires calculating decades of future care costs.

Severe Burns cause disfigurement and chronic pain. They require extensive reconstructive surgery and ongoing medical treatment. Burn injury victims often face psychological trauma alongside physical recovery challenges. Burn injuries from workplace accidents or negligence demand aggressive representation.

Amputations involve the loss of limbs. They require prosthetics, vocational rehabilitation, and adaptation to a fundamentally changed life. The costs of prosthetic devices, ongoing maintenance, and vocational retraining can extend across a lifetime. Amputation cases require understanding of prosthetic technology costs and lifetime care planning.

Compound Fractures can result in permanent disability and chronic pain. They can cause loss of function, particularly when they affect mobility or manual dexterity. Severe fracture injuries may qualify for catastrophic injury compensation.

Internal Organ Damage creates ongoing medical complications. It may reduce life expectancy and require continuous monitoring and treatment. Internal injury cases require expert medical testimony.

Loss of Sight or Hearing represents a sensory disability. It requires adaptive equipment, specialized training, and significant lifestyle modifications. Vision loss or hearing loss from accidents demands specialized legal representation.

Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Virginia

Catastrophic injuries arise from various circumstances. Our firm has handled cases across all categories:

Motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause. These include car collisions, truck accidents, and pedestrian strikes. We secured a $2.5 million settlement in a multi-vehicle truck accident case involving severe injuries to multiple parties. Car accident injuries often result in catastrophic outcomes requiring lifetime care.

Workplace accidents cause catastrophic injuries through construction falls, machinery malfunctions, and electrocutions. Our construction injury experience includes the $1.8 million settlement mentioned above. Construction accident lawyers understand OSHA violations and workplace safety standards. Workers compensation claims for catastrophic injuries often exceed standard benefit limits.

Premises liability cases involve slip and falls. They include inadequate security leading to assaults. They involve unsafe conditions on property. Slip and fall injuries on commercial or residential property can cause catastrophic harm.

Medical malpractice causes catastrophic injuries through surgical errors, medication mistakes, and birth injuries. Medical malpractice cases require expert medical testimony and understanding of standard of care.

Product liability involves defective equipment, dangerous consumer products, and design flaws that cause severe harm. Defective product injuries may involve manufacturer liability.

Nursing home negligence results in abuse, neglect, and inadequate care for vulnerable elderly residents. Nursing home injury cases protect vulnerable populations.

Animal attacks can cause severe injuries requiring extensive medical intervention and reconstruction. Animal attack injuries may involve owner liability.

Compensation Available for Catastrophic Injuries in Virginia

Virginia law allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages in catastrophic injury cases. Our attorneys calculate lifetime care costs rather than just immediate expenses. This ensures you receive full compensation for your long-term needs.

Economic damages include current and future medical bills covering surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment. Home modifications include accessibility equipment and specialized care facilities. Lost wages reflect both current income loss and reduced future earning capacity. Personal care expenses cover nursing and daily assistance. Rehabilitation and vocational training costs help you adapt to your new circumstances.

Non-economic damages compensate for physical pain and suffering. They cover mental anguish and emotional distress. They include loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life.

Punitive damages may be available in cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. They serve to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Under Virginia Code § 8.01-38.1, punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of malice. Read Virginia Code § 8.01-38.1.

Why You Need an Experienced Catastrophic Injury Attorney

Insurance companies routinely undervalue catastrophic injury claims. They hope injured victims will accept inadequate settlements out of desperation. Calculating lifetime care costs requires complex analysis. This involves medical experts, vocational specialists, and economic analysts. These calculations demand precision. Underestimating future needs can leave you without resources for care decades from now.

Experienced catastrophic injury attorneys bring aggressive negotiation skills to maximize recovery. We have trial experience when settlement negotiations fail. We understand Virginia’s contributory negligence laws. . This ensures you don’t overpay benefits that should be recovered from the at-fault party.

CHASENBOSCOLO has completed over 500 jury trials in the past five years. This demonstrates our commitment to trial preparation. It shows our willingness to fight in court when necessary. Benjamin T. Boscolo received Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year recognition in 2015. John Everett earned the same honor in 2019. Both serve as faculty members at the Keenan Trial Institute. They teach trial advocacy to other attorneys. Our multiple Super Lawyers designations (2006-2025) and AV Preeminent ratings reflect peer recognition of our legal ability and ethical standards.

Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injuries in Virginia

How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in Virginia?

Virginia law provides a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under Virginia Code § 8.01-243, this deadline is critical. Missing it bars you from recovery entirely. Exceptions exist for minors and individuals declared legally incapacitated. These exceptions have strict requirements. Acting quickly preserves evidence. It secures witness testimony while memories remain fresh. It ensures you meet all legal deadlines. Contact us immediately for a free consultation to protect your rights. Read Virginia Code § 8.01-243.

What should I bring to my first attorney meeting?

Gather medical records and treatment documentation. Collect insurance information for both yourself and the at-fault party. Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Gather witness contact information. Collect pay stubs and employment records. Gather any correspondence with insurance companies. This information helps us evaluate your case thoroughly. It allows us to begin building your claim immediately. Our Fairfax office can review your documentation and provide initial case assessment.

Will my catastrophic injury case go to trial?

Most catastrophic injury cases settle before trial. However, CHASENBOSCOLO prepares every case as if it will go to trial. Insurance companies know our trial record. They take our cases seriously because they understand we’re prepared to fight in court. Our contingency fee model means you pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you. This applies whether through settlement or trial verdict. Our results page showcases our trial and settlement successes.

Contact CHASENBOSCOLO for Your Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Virginia, you deserve experienced legal representation fighting for your recovery. CHASENBOSCOLO brings nearly four decades of experience. We have a $750 million recovery record. Our team includes 30+ attorneys dedicated to maximizing your compensation.

Our Fairfax office is available 24/7 to discuss your case. Benjamin T. Boscolo and Krista DeSmyter serve as panel attorneys for the National Football League Players Association and Professional Hockey Players Association. This reflects our expertise in complex injury cases. Our 5.0 Google rating with over 423 client reviews demonstrates our commitment to client service.

Call us today at (703) 538-1138 or contact us online for your free consultation. We work on a contion your behalffee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our about us page provides detailed information about our attorneys and their qualifications.