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A spinal cord injury requires immediate medical attention and extensive long-term planning. If another person’s careless actions caused your injury, you have a legal right to seek compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. The financial impact on your life can be heavy. Your lifetime care costs can quickly reach millions of dollars, and insurance companies usually try to lower payouts to protect their profits. You need a legal team with a trial background, medical knowledge, and resources to handle these claims from start to finish.
Founding partner Dino M. Colucci and managing partner Darin Colucci are experienced personal injury lawyers who represent injured people in Boston, Cambridge, Quincy, Brockton, and throughout Massachusetts. We bring decades of courtroom experience to your claim and stand up to insurance companies on your behalf. Our results show this commitment. We have secured major recoveries, including a $20 million settlement that was the largest in the state for 2024, a $36.5 million vehicle case, and a $70 million settlement. Because we handle these claims on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win money for you. Our team works directly with medical doctors, life care planners, and accident reconstruction professionals to build a strong case.
This page details the specific types of spinal cord injuries we handle, how Massachusetts negligence laws affect your case, and the compensation you can recover. We also outline what you can expect during each step of the legal process. Our goal is to handle the legal work so you can focus on your health. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 698-6000 for a free consultation with a Massachusetts catastrophic injury attorney today.
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When the stakes are high, put a proven personal injury law firm on your side.
Darin is a great lawyer, works with his clients, and goes all out for everything they can get. Above that, he has the best assistant, Allison, she is always there to help when Darin is doing his outside work. I will recommend this agency to get you everything you deserve…
Very happy with the care, attention and service I received from everyone at Colucci Colucci & Marcus at Law. From day one, everyone was kind, professional and outstanding advocates for me during a very stressful time in my life. I am very happy with the settlement I received. Stephanie & Junyan were kind…
Professional, Honest, and Responsive
I cannot recommend Attorney Matt Marcus enough for anyone seeking estate planning services. What truly set him apart was his professional integrity, right from the very start…
Every Injury Case Deserves Personal Attention
Confidential Consultation with Experienced Trial Attorney
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) estimates that about 18,482 new traumatic spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States. These estimates do not include people who die at the scene of the incident that caused the injury. A 2026 NSCISC data sheet covering traumatic spinal cord injuries from 2015 to 2025 lists the leading causes as follows:
In Boston, these causes take specific forms related to the city’s dense urban environment, aging infrastructure, and active construction industry. Each of these may raise different liability issues and require tailored investigation strategies.
Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injuries nationwide, accounting for 37.1% of recent cases. Boston’s congested roadways, highway interchanges, and high volume of commercial truck traffic increase the risk of high-impact collisions. Motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable because they lack the structural protection of an enclosed vehicle.
Falls are the second leading cause, accounting for 32.5% of recent traumatic spinal cord injuries. In Boston, icy sidewalks and parking lots during winter months, poorly maintained stairwells in older buildings, and hazardous conditions on commercial properties contribute to fall-related spinal injuries. Property owners in Massachusetts have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors and tenants.
Boston’s active construction sector creates significant risk for workers who may fall from scaffolding, be struck by heavy equipment, or suffer compression injuries. While workers’ compensation covers many workplace injuries, a spinal cord injury caused by a third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, may support a separate personal injury claim.
Violence accounts for 15.2% of recent traumatic spinal cord injuries, and sports and recreation incidents account for 7.6%. Medical or surgical incidents account for 3.8%, while other causes account for 3.9%. In Massachusetts, a medical error that results in spinal cord damage may give rise to a medical malpractice claim, which carries its own procedural requirements under M.G.L. c. 231 § 60B.
I cannot express enough gratitude for the outstanding representation and compassion I received from Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, especially Darin Colucci. From the very first conversation, Darin made me feel like more than just a client—he treated me like family. Navigating the aftermath of my accident was one of the most challenging times of my life…
The location of the injury determines which body functions are affected. These classifications directly affect treatment plans, prognosis, and the amount of compensation that may be recoverable.
The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classifies spinal cord injuries using the ASIA Impairment Scale. A complete injury means no motor or sensory function is preserved in the sacral segments S4-S5. An incomplete injury means some motor or sensory function remains, often referred to as sacral sparing, though the remaining function may still be severely limited.
Complete injuries often involve more serious long-term limitations and higher lifetime care needs, especially when the injury affects the cervical spine. This distinction can play an important role when medical experts, life care planners, and economists calculate the full value of a spinal cord injury claim.
Different spinal regions affect different body functions. The table below summarizes the potential impact by injury location.
| Spinal Region | Vertebrae | Potential Functional Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical | C1-C8 | Quadriplegia affecting all four limbs; higher injuries (C1-C4) may require ventilator support |
| Thoracic | T1-T12 | Paraplegia affecting the lower limbs; loss of trunk stability and some organ function |
| Lumbar | L1-L5 | Partial or complete loss of leg function; bladder and bowel dysfunction |
| Sacral | S1-S5 | Loss of bowel, bladder, and sexual function; varying degrees of leg weakness |
Cervical spinal cord injuries are often among the most serious because they can affect the arms, legs, trunk, breathing, and other body functions. High cervical injuries, especially C1-C4 injuries, may require ventilator support, extensive attendant care, or major long-term medical support depending on the severity of the injury.
The NSCISC estimates that first-year costs range from $472,190 to $1,446,827, depending on severity, with later yearly costs ranging from $57,353 to $251,246. For a 25-year-old with high tetraplegia, estimated lifetime costs can exceed $6.4 million. These figures do not include indirect losses such as lost wages, lost benefits, and reduced productivity.
Beyond medical expenses, spinal cord injury victims and their families face significant hidden costs, including the following categories of loss:
Victims may also experience serious pain, emotional distress, loss of independence, loss of enjoyment of life, and changes in intimate relationships.
Key Takeaway: The financial impact of a spinal cord injury can last for life. Medical care, lost income, home changes, mobility equipment, and pain and suffering can push the total cost of a serious claim well into the millions.
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Exceptional firm! They are excellent in all the areas of law that they practice. They did an amazing job assisting my parents with their affairs in their elder years and are incredible personal injury attorneys. Our family has been using them for almost 20 years now and it’s proven to have been the best decision we ever made…
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To recover compensation for a spinal cord injury in Massachusetts, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injury. Massachusetts follows a standard negligence framework requiring four elements:
Massachusetts also applies a modified comparative negligence rule under M.G.L. c. 231 § 85. Under this statute, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation.
Proving negligence in a spinal cord injury case often requires expert testimony from medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and economists who can calculate future losses. Our Boston catastrophic injury attorneys have experience retaining and working with these experts to build compelling cases for our clients.
Key Takeaway: A strong spinal cord injury claim depends on proof. Evidence must connect the defendant’s conduct to the injury, document the full damages, and address any claim that the injured person shares fault.
Under M.G.L. c. 260 § 2A, most Massachusetts personal injury claims must be filed within three years after the claim accrues. If the injured person is a minor, M.G.L. c. 260 § 7 may extend the filing period until after the disability of minority is removed. Medical malpractice claims have separate timing rules under M.G.L. c. 260 § 4 and may also require a medical malpractice tribunal under M.G.L. c. 231 § 60B.
Missing the statute of limitations deadline typically results in permanent dismissal of your case, regardless of the severity of your injury or the strength of your evidence. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your right to file.
Dino M. Colucci is the founding partner and lead trial counsel at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. He earned his B.A. from Tufts University in 1984 and his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1988. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts in 1988, he represents clients in personal injury and civil litigation matters, including serious injuries, nursing home negligence, medical malpractice, and motor vehicle accidents.
Mr. Colucci has experience with high-stakes civil litigation, handling claims involving aviation disasters, commercial trucking accidents, and victims of the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attack. His professional recognition includes being selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer annually since 2012, earning Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Rating, and being named in The Best Lawyers in America.
Darin Colucci is the managing partner of Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., focusing his practice on tort and general litigation. He holds a B.A. from Bucknell University and earned his J.D., cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School, where he served as a Law Review staff member and editor. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts since 1993, he handles matters ranging from motor vehicle crashes and premises liability to product liability and construction accidents.
Mr. Colucci is a dedicated trial advocate who has provided legal commentary on personal injury issues for WBZ Radio and authored the award-winning book “Everything I Never Learned in School: A Guide to Success.” His peer endorsements include being selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer annually since 2017, recognized as a Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney by Newsweek, and voted among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.
Matthew Marcus serves as a partner at the firm, concentrating his practice in estate planning, elder law, and disability law. He earned his B.A. from Boston University, his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law in 2009. His background includes serving as a Hearing Officer for the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers and as the lead attorney with BOC Life Solutions.
Mr. Marcus assists individuals and families with long-term planning, guardianship, and mental health-related legal matters. His work has earned him recognition as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer annually since 2006, and he was named Citizen Advocate of the Year by The Arc of Massachusetts for his dedication to adults with developmental disabilities.
A Massachusetts spinal cord injury claim may include economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages are generally limited, but they may be available in qualifying wrongful death cases.
Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses caused by a spinal cord injury, including the categories listed below:
Non-economic damages compensate for losses that do not carry a specific dollar amount but are equally real. These may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. In Massachusetts, loss of consortium may compensate a spouse for harm to the marriage relationship, and certain parent-child consortium claims may also be available in qualifying cases.
In Massachusetts, punitive damages are generally not available in most personal injury cases. However, they may be awarded in wrongful death actions under M.G.L. c. 229 § 2 if the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent, willful, wanton, or reckless.
Key Takeaway: Massachusetts allows spinal cord injury victims to recover economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care costs, as well as non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life. Punitive damages are limited but may be available in wrongful death cases involving gross negligence.
Insurance companies know that spinal cord injury claims involve large sums of money, and they often use aggressive tactics to reduce or deny them. Common strategies include:
Accepting an early settlement before the full medical outlook is clear can put your long-term recovery at risk. Contact us at (617) 698-6000 to protect your interests before giving a recorded statement or signing a release.
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An uninsured motorist struck me from behind at the end of my driveway while I was shoveling. And was seriously injured. My case was handled with the highest expertise, support and with excellent customer service. I did not expect to have it settled so quickly and was pleasantly surprised with the results. I highly recommend this group…
I had a wonderful experience with Dino and his entire team from CCM when I was involved in an accident while cycling at fault of a motor vehicle driver resulting in multiple injuries. Dino was compassionate and actionable when we first got in touch, and throughout the entire settlement process always made himself available for any questions I had…
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A spinal cord injury case in Massachusetts usually moves through several stages, from the first consultation and investigation to settlement negotiations, litigation, or trial.
We handle Boston personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees, and we collect nothing until we obtain compensation on your behalf.
Our record includes a $20 million settlement in 2024, the single largest personal injury settlement in Massachusetts that year, a $36.5 million motor vehicle case, and a $70 million settlement in which attorney Darin Colucci served as lead negotiator. We have the resources, experience, and willingness to take cases to trial when necessary. We handle every spinal cord injury case on a contingency fee basis and use advanced technology, including computerized accident recreations, to present your case effectively.
Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. represents spinal cord injury victims from our office in Milton, MA, and serves clients throughout Greater Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our service areas include:
If you were injured anywhere in Massachusetts and have questions about a spinal cord injury claim, call (617) 698-6000 to speak with our team.
A spinal cord injury carries permanent physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Whether you were hurt in a car crash, a fall, a construction accident, or another incident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need legal representation that understands the full scope of what you are facing.
Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 698-6000 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Our office is located at 424 Adams St #101, Milton, MA 02186, and we serve clients in Boston, Massachusetts, including Cambridge, Quincy, Brockton, and communities throughout the Commonwealth.
In many Massachusetts personal injury cases, M.G.L. c. 260 § 2A gives you three years to file after the claim accrues. If the injured person is a minor, M.G.L. c. 260 § 7 may extend the filing period. Medical malpractice, government liability, and other claims may involve different notice or filing rules, so it is important to contact an attorney promptly.
Value depends on the severity and location of the injury, its status as complete or incomplete, the cost of current and future medical care, lost earning capacity, and the overall impact on daily life. Because these cases often involve millions of dollars in lifetime costs, a thorough evaluation by an experienced attorney is essential.
Yes. Massachusetts law may still allow recovery if your share of fault is 50% or less. Any award is reduced based on your share of responsibility, so evidence about how the injury happened can make a major difference.
Doctors use the ASIA Impairment Scale to help classify spinal cord injuries. A complete injury involves no preserved motor or sensory function in the sacral segments S4-S5. An incomplete injury leaves some function intact, which may affect treatment, care planning, and damages.
These claims often require medical records, expert opinions, future care planning, and careful proof of lost income. Boston catastrophic injury attorneys can help build the claim, deal with the insurance company, and pursue the full compensation available under Massachusetts law.
The timeline varies. Some spinal cord injury claims resolve through settlement, while others take longer if liability, damages, future medical needs, or multiple defendants are disputed. The team at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. can give a more case-specific estimate after reviewing the facts.
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, or property owner, also contributed to the injury, you may also have a separate personal injury claim. Boston catastrophic injury attorneys can review both options.
In Massachusetts, a spouse may have a loss of consortium claim after a serious injury affects the marriage relationship. Certain parent-child consortium claims may also be available in qualifying cases. If a spinal cord injury results in death, the wrongful death claim is generally brought by the executor or administrator of the estate for the benefit of eligible survivors under M.G.L. c. 229.
Professional, Honest, and Responsive
I cannot recommend Attorney Matt Marcus enough for anyone seeking estate planning services. What truly set him apart was his professional integrity, right from the very start…
Very happy with the care, attention and service I received from everyone at Colucci Colucci & Marcus at Law. From day one, everyone was kind, professional and outstanding advocates for me during a very stressful time in my life. I am very happy with the settlement I received. Stephanie & Junyan were kind…
Darin is a great lawyer, works with his clients, and goes all out for everything they can get. Above that, he has the best assistant, Allison, she is always there to help when Darin is doing his outside work. I will recommend this agency to get you everything you deserve…