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A Washington, DC spinal cord injury lawyer can help you understand how the location and severity of an injury influence medical outcomes and the legal process that follows. At Regan Zambri Long, we bring nearly three decades of experience to complex spinal trauma cases. Our award-winning spinal cord injury lawyers understand how spinal cord damage affects bodily functions, and the potential short- and long-term implications of reduced mobility, chronic pain, and changes in daily independence and quality of life.Â
We’re consistently named among the Best Law Firms in America, and one of our partners is Washington, DC’s top nurse lawyer, a distinction supported by two Lawyer of the Year honors for Medical Malpractice Law. Our track record includes over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, with notable recoveries of $20 million, $15 million, $10.6 million, and $7.5 million in cases involving paralysis and spinal cord injuries.
Have you been affected by a spinal cord or spine injury caused by negligence? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will return your call. We have over 100 5 star Google reviews, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
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Spinal cord injuries come in one of four types, based on the location of the injury. The spinal column is divided into four segments. Spinal injury to each segment impacts the injured person differently.
Cervical spinal cord injuries occur at the top of the spinal column, in the neck. These injuries can often result in quadriplegia, the limited or complete absence of feeling and function below the shoulders and neck.
Mid-back injuries can often leave victims with weakened muscle tone in the legs, lack of control over the bladder and bowels, and even spread into the arms and chest muscles, depending on which vertebrae and nerves are affected.
The lumbar or lower back carries a lot of the spine’s weight, and injuries to this area can affect the motor function of the hips and legs. It may cause permanent paralysis in the legs and loss of voluntary control over pelvic organs.
Sacral spine injuries do not impact the spinal cord itself. However, affected nerves can impact the victim’s leg and hip movement. An injured person may also lose voluntary control over their pelvic organs. Sacrum injuries are not common, and usually, injury occurs due to direct trauma to the sacrum.
Recent studies have found that approximately 17,000 people suffer new spinal cord injuries each year in the United States. The leading cause of these injuries is motor vehicle accidents, which cause 38% of new spinal injuries each year. Falls are a close second, comprising 30% of new cases.
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Most spinal injuries occur in the spinal column, in the tissue and bones that surround the spinal cord itself. The extent of damage to the nerve fibers in the affected area depends on the severity of the injury
The most common type of spinal cord injury, central cord syndrome is caused by hyperextension of the neck that compresses the cervical spinal cord. Approximately 11,000 new cases of central cord syndrome occur in the US each year. The most common complaint of central cord syndrome is weakness in the arms.
Also known as ventral cord syndrome, this spinal cord injury is another kind of incomplete spinal cord injury that affects the aspect of the spinal cord that faces the front body. Victims usually experience motor paralysis below the point of injury, as well as loss of sensation. These kinds of accidents often occur as a result of surgical complications, though other causes are possible.
The posterior cord generally controls the ability to feel vibration, fine touch, and proprioception, the sense of location, movement, and action of body parts. An injury to the posterior cord inhibits these sensations below the injury point, though sensations of pain and temperature are usually still intact. Degenerative disc disease and multiple sclerosis are two common causes of posterior cord injuries.
Brown-Sequard syndrome is a rare neurological condition caused by a lesion in the spinal cord. Victims experience weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and a loss of sensation on the other side.
Caused by compression of the spinal cord in the lower back, conus medullaris syndrome is a rare injury that can result from herniated discs.
Neurogenic shock can occur with spinal injuries, most commonly in cervical and upper thoracic injuries. It is characterized by loss of blood flow to organ tissue. Up to 31 percent of upper spinal cord injuries experience neurogenic shock.
Each spinal cord injury can have its own symptoms, and each person experiences their injury differently. However, some symptoms do overlap. Common symptoms of a spinal injury include:
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In addition to paralysis or limited motor function, spinal injuries can lead to additional health complications and conditions. Because nerve cells are affected, spinal injuries spread beyond just the spine. Some long-term effects include:
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The main difference between types of spinal injuries is where the injury occurred and where the injury affects the victim. Spinal cord injuries can also be categorized as complete or incomplete injuries. This categorization depends on the amount of feeling and function a victim has.
Paraplegia affects movement and sensation in the lower half of the body, including the legs and pelvic region. Tetraplegia, sometimes called quadriplegia, affects the arms, legs, and torso. The extent of impairment in either condition depends on the level of the spinal cord injury and whether the injury is complete or incomplete.
A complete spinal cord injury means that, below the point of injury, brain signals are unable to get through. For example, if you suffer a complete spinal cord injury in your mid back, you will have no feeling, muscle movement or control, or function below the injury site.
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According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), complete paraplegia occurs in 19.7% of spinal cord injuries, while complete tetraplegia occurs in 12.3% of reported cases.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries allow some brain signals to get past the point of injury. Victims of a mid-back incomplete injury will still have some feeling, function, and muscle control below the injury site, though they may still experience some paralysis and loss of feeling and function.
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The NSCISC reports that incomplete tetraplegia occurs in 47.4% of spinal cord injuries, and incomplete paraplegia occurs in 20.0% of cases.
Some of the most common causes of spinal cord and spine injuries include motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries, and slips and falls. As noted in the studies discussed earlier, motor vehicle collisions remain the leading cause overall (38%), followed closely by falls (30%). Traumatic spinal cord injuries occur from acts of violence, such as gunshot wounds or stabbings. These injuries make up approximately 13% of spinal cord injuries. Medical or surgical complications account for about 5% of spinal cord injuries.
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Many sports-related spinal cord injuries occur from impact sports, such as football and hockey, or diving accidents, and these events represent around 9% of spinal cord injuries. Falls are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries among the 65 and older population.
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A spinal cord injury occurs when the nerve roots or bones surrounding the spinal cord are harmed. Recovery from a spinal cord injury depends on the location and severity of the injury. In all but mild cases, physical and occupational therapists will play an essential role in helping spinal cord injury victims recover mobility and independence.
Personal injury law can be complicated when questions of liability and negligence arise. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side is crucial to ensuring you recover the compensation you deserve.
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You have many options for legal counsel, but Regan Zambri Long stands out as the best law firm in the DC Metro area. Our team has nearly 200 years of combined experience in personal injury law, with a particular focus on spinal injuries.
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To support clients with complex spine and spinal cord injuries, our attorneys rely on extensive trial experience and respected professional credentials. All six partners appear in the 2025 Lawdragon list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in the United States, a recognition awarded to attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional results for injured clients.
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We have secured dozens of multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts across personal injury matters, including several significant recoveries for individuals who suffered paralysis or serious spinal trauma. These include:
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Our leadership within the trial bar reflects the depth of this experience. Several partners have served as Presidents of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, and hold distinguished positions within the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Partner Jacqueline Colclough’s background as an obstetrical and neonatal nurse strengthens our ability to understand the medical issues that shape complex spinal injury cases. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers and serves on the Board of Governors for the DC Trial Lawyers Association. Our attorneys have also been named as Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers on several occasions.
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Your lawyer will investigate your case and collect evidence and witness statements to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your accident and injuries. Your lawyer will also negotiate with liable parties and insurance companies to get a fair settlement on your behalf. If settlement negotiations fail, your lawyer will represent you in a trial.
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Regan Zambri Long has the experience and expertise to take on your spinal cord injury and make a recovery in your favor. You can schedule a free consultation online or by calling 202-937-2067.
Most spinal cord lawyers are paid using a contingency fee structure. A contingency fee means you do not owe a fee until the case has been settled or reached a verdict. Once the case is resolved, your attorney will take a portion of your settlement as their fee. If your case is not successful, you do not owe anything.
A contingency fee agreement gives injury victims a chance to have an experienced accident lawyer helping them with their claims without worrying about costs, especially after a catastrophic accident such as a spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injuries vary in severity, which means each case will be valued differently. The facts of the case, the extent of your injuries and losses, and the fullness of recovery can all factor into how much compensation you are entitled to.
An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer from Regan Zambri Long will help you value your claim and determine fair compensation. You can schedule a free consultation today by calling 202-937-2067.
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.