Washington, DC How Much Is a Brain Injury Case Worth?

Know the Value of a Brain Injury Claim

While you can’t realistically put a number on how much a brain injury case is worth, an award-winning Washington, DC brain injury lawyer understands that value is determined by evolving symptoms, long-term care needs, and the impact on work, independence, and daily life. Any meaningful valuation has to account for that complexity.

At Regan Zambri Long, our DC brain injury attorneys have the needed resources at our disposal to fairly determine the compensation a brain injury victim deserves. We work closely with top medical and technical experts and are consistently recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in America. Our board-certified attorneys have nearly 200 years of combined experience, and one of our partners is an experienced nurse attorney who specializes in personal injury litigation.

Are you or a loved one seeking maximum compensation for a brain injury? Contact Regan Zambri Long 24/7, and one of our attorneys will call you back. We front all case costs, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.

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Why Choose Regan Zambri Long as Your Washington, DC Brain Injury Lawyers?

While there is no guaranteed estimate of the value of your case, the brain injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long will work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation. We have won multiple million-dollar awards for our clients, including:

 

  • $20 million verdict for a teenager’s brain injury and paralysis after being struck by a Smithsonian Institution bus
  • $16 million settlement for traumatic brain damage suffered as a result of dangerous conditions on a property
  • $10.6 million settlement for a car accident resulting in traumatic brain injury and paraplegia
  • $6.2 million verdict for a traumatic brain injury suffered in an accident at a Virginia ski resort
  • $5 million verdict for a traumatic brain injury after a teenager fell off a high diving board

 

We are confident our experienced personal injury attorneys can do the same for you.

What ultimately determines how much a Washington, DC brain injury case is worth is not just the injury itself, but the level of preparation, credibility, and trial readiness behind the claim. Every partner at Regan Zambri Long has been named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list, placing them among a small fraction of attorneys nationwide trusted to handle the most complex, high-stakes injury cases.

 

That level of recognition matters in valuation because insurers and defense counsel understand which firms are prepared to prove damages fully rather than settle for discounted outcomes.

 

That reputation is reinforced by consistent peer recognition from Best Lawyers. All of our attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers, with Patrick Regan named Lawyer of the Year on three occasions, Paul Cornoni twice, and Salvatore Zambri once. Best Lawyers has also repeatedly named Regan Zambri Long among the Best Law Firms in America.

 

Our attorneys are also recognized by Super Lawyers, with Salvatore Zambri named among the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, and Paul Cornoni and Patrick Regan named to the Top 100.

 

In brain injury litigation, these distinctions carry practical weight. They shape how cases are evaluated, how negotiations unfold, and how compensation is ultimately assessed. Case value is influenced by the depth of evidence presented, the credibility of the legal team advancing the claim, and the demonstrated readiness to take a case through trial when appropriate. When those elements are clearly established, claims are positioned to be taken seriously and valued accordingly.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Brain Injury Lawsuit?

Damages in personal injury lawsuits are divided into economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible monetary losses directly resulting from your injuries. These include:

 

  • Medical Expenses for short and long-term medical care costs
  • Therapies: After a brain injury, some people need therapy to relearn even the simplest tasks. Therapies can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even cognitive therapy.
  • Medications: If the injury is severe enough, victims may need to be on medication for the rest of their lives, which is costly to the individual and their families.
  • Lost Wages and loss of future earning capacity due to your inability to work

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible losses, which make them more challenging to determine. These includes pain and suffering, which refers to the pain, discomfort, anguish, inconvenience, and emotional trauma that accompanies a catastrophic injury.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages exceed basic personal injury damages and are meant to punish the defendant rather than award the victim. Punitive damages are extra money the defendant might pay in a brain injury case. While economic and non-economic damages are meant to award the victim for their injuries, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for bad behavior. These include:

 

  • Wanton and Reckless Behavior: This means someone acted in a way that they knew could harm another person, but they didn’t care and did it anyway.
  • Malice: This is when someone hurts another person on purpose.
  • Carelessness is when someone doesn’t pay enough attention and injuries someone.

If you think your brain injury claim includes carelessness, malice, or wanton and reckless behavior, speak to your brain injury lawyer during your free consultation. Including punitive damages in your claim will teach the offender a lesson and ensure they do not repeat the behavior that led to your injuries.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) represent a significant concern in the realm of public health. A TBI is a sudden trauma to the brain leading to disrupted brain function. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBIs are classified based on the severity of the injury: mild, moderate, and severe.

A mild TBI, often referred to as a concussion, typically results in a brief change in mental status or consciousness. At the same time, severe TBI can lead to extended periods of unconsciousness, amnesia, or even death. The difference between these categories often lies in the duration and intensity of symptoms, with severe cases potentially resulting in long-term cognitive, physical, and psychological impairments.

While the Brain Injury Association of America states that there are approximately 2.9 million TBI-related emergency department visits each year in the United States, a 2025 study indicates that traumatic brain injuries are far more common overall, with nearly 10 million Americans reporting that they sustained a TBI in the past year, including 3.3% of all adults and 2.2% of all children.

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What Are the Long-Term Costs of Living With a TBI?

Living with a traumatic brain injury is extremely difficult, not only for the victim but for their loved ones, as well. The financial burden alone can trouble even the wealthiest of families. Since accidents resulting in TBIs often occur without any warning, most people are not financially prepared for the lifelong costs associated with the injury.

Lifelong Assistance

Victims of a traumatic brain injury might need help every day following the accident. This could be someone to help them get dressed, eat, or move around. An in-home caregiver’s average wages range from $18 per hour to $36 per hour (that can add up to almost $300 for an eight-hour workday!) 

Accommodations

Depending on the severity of the injury, traumatic brain injury victims’ homes may need to be changed following the accident. Simple modifications, like adding a ramp for wheelchair access, can cost up to $3,000. However, if the home needs structural modifications, like widening doorways or hallways, that can cost a family thousands of dollars.

Life-Care Needs

Over time, a person with TBI might need different kinds of medical care or therapy. Assisted living facilities are thousands of dollars per month in rent. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, hospital visits, and ongoing medication are costly.

The costs of living with a traumatic brain injury are steep. At Regan Zambri Long, we know we can’t change what happened to you or your loved one. However, we can fight for financial relief and a sense of justice. Call today for a free consultation with a brain injury lawyer. We will start your case immediately to recover the compensation you deserve quickly.

How Do You Prove Fault in a Brain Injury Lawsuit?

In a brain injury case, knowing clearly who is at fault or liable for the accident is very important for the victim to get the most compensation. The burden of proof is on the plaintiff – they must prove the defendant acted negligently to collect damages.

 

Liability is determined by the four elements of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty of care, causation, and damages.

 

  • Duty of care: This means that one person is responsible for acting in a certain way towards another person. For example, a car driver has a duty to follow traffic rules and drive safely to protect others on the road.
  • Breach of duty means the person failed to meet their responsibility or duty. Let’s go back to our car accident example. If the car driver was texting while driving, that is against the traffic rules. This is a breach of their duty to drive safely.
  • Causation: The person’s failure (or breach) directly caused the injury. Because the car driver was texting, they didn’t see a pedestrian and hit them, causing the pedestrian to suffer a brain injury.
  • Damages: This means that the injured person suffered losses (like medical bills, pain, or lost wages) because of the injury. After being hit by the negligent driver, the pedestrian had to go to the hospital, get treatments, miss work, and pay medical bills, all due to the brain injury caused by the car driver.

In a brain injury case, to prove negligence, one would have to show that someone had a duty to act safely; they failed in that duty, their failure caused the brain injury, and there were actual losses or damages because of the injury.

How Does Washington, DC’s Contributory Negligence Rule Affect Brain Injury Compensation?

Washington, DC, follows a strict rule called “contributory negligence.” Under this rule, if the injured party is found to be even 1% at fault for the incident leading to the brain injury, they cannot recover any damages. 

The Regan Zambri Long brain injury attorneys, have worked in the DC Metro area for decades. We know defense lawyers jump to contributory negligence to get their clients out of paying what they rightfully owe. We will build a strong case proving that you were not liable for the accident that caused your brain injury in any way.

How Do Insurance Limits and No-Fault Rules Impact Brain Injury Cases in Washington, DC?

An insurance policy limit is the maximum amount of money an insurance company will pay for a claim. Different policies have different limits, depending on what the insured person or business has chosen and paid for. A skilled personal injury lawyer will understand how best to negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation for your traumatic brain injuries in your settlement.

 

Also, Washington, DC, is a no-fault insurance state. That means if your brain injury was caused by any kind of motor vehicle accident, regardless of who is at fault, you must file with your insurer first.

How Long Do You Have to File a Washington, DC Brain Injury Lawsuit?

A statute of limitations is like a countdown timer for legal matters. In Washington, DC, like everywhere else, it tells you how long you must file a claim after an injury.

In Washington, DC, §12–301 of the DC Code states that a brain injury victim has three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

 

Three years may seem like a long time, but if you try to file a claim after the three-year limit, the court will most likely refuse to hear your case. This means you won’t be able to get any compensation for your injury, even if it’s a strong case.

 

Here are some tips for filing on time so you can ensure maximum compensation for your injuries:

 

  • Start Early: As soon as you think you might have a claim, start gathering information and contact a Regan Zambri Long brain injury lawyer for a free case evaluation.
  • Keep Good Records: Write down everything about the accident, your injury, medical visits, and any costs. This will help when you talk to a lawyer.
  • See a Doctor: Even if you think it’s a minor injury, see a doctor. Sometimes, brain injuries aren’t apparent right away.

Remember, in Washington, DC, that three-year timer starts ticking from the accident date. It’s imperative to act quickly and make sure your rights are protected. If you think you have a brain injury claim, get started as soon as you can

Contact Regan Zambri Long to Discuss How Much Your Brain Injury Case Is Worth 

At  Regan Zambri Long, we work on a contingency basis. This means you do not owe us a fee until we win. 

 

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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