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Car & Motorcycle Accidents
- Distracted Driving on the Rise in West Virginia
- Recall Rears It's Head Again - Toyota Prius Brakes have Problem
- West Virginia Teens Try to Highlight Dangers of Distracted Driving
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- Trucking Associations Praise Gov. McDonnell for Re-Opening Rest Areas
- Training the Key to Preventing Fire Tanker Truck Rollovers
- Risks for Large Truck Accidents Rise After Sun Sets
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
- Prescription Drug Dispensing Error Costs Rite Aid $2.5 Million
- Drill Bit Left in Patient's Sinus by Oral Surgeon Prompts Lawsuit
- Missed Heart Disease Diagnosis Led to Fatal Car Accident on Drive From Doctor's Office
Railroad Injury/FELA
- Amtrak Train Headed to Florida Partially Derails in Fairfax County, Virginia
- New FELA Claims Filed Against Norfolk Southern in West Virginia (WV)
- Federal Regulators Propose Putting Cameras in Locomotive Cabs
Brain Damage/Head Injuries
- Concussions: Know the Signs and Symptoms of These Common Brain Injuries
- NFL brings in outside specialists to consult on player concussions
- The Ramifications of a Closed Head Injury/Brain Damage
Wrongful Death
- Three People Killed, One Seriously Injured in Road Rage Car Crash
- At-Fault Driver of I-295 Car Wreck was Apparently Driving Drunk
- Wrong-Way Driver on I-295 Kills Norfolk Man
Slips, Trips & Falls
- Texting and Walking Could Lead to Injury from a Slip, Trip, or Fall
- Norfolk Waste Water Plant Worker Falls to His Death
- Wet Wal-Mart Floor Blamed for Nebraska (NE) Woman's Fatal Brain Injury
Mass Transit (Airline, Train, Bus)
- Commuter and Regional Airline Safety Found Lacking
- DC Metro Workers Killed in Third Fatal Accident Since June 2009
- Families of Two Teens Receive Settlement for Fatal Light Rail Accident
Dangerous Drugs/Product Recalls
- Seroquel Caused Diabetes, Claim More Than 25,000 Plaintiffs
- Study Reveals Avandia Increases Risk of Heart Attack
- False marketing prompts FDA to warn to drug manufacturers
All Serious Injuries
- Safety a Top Concern after Deadly Carolina Snow Storm
- Asleep At the Wheel: Drowsy Driving Increasing
- Newport News Police Officer Bitten, Injured by Pit Bull
General
Norfolk-Portsmouth Personal Injury Lawyer 
Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
Northeast NC Personal Injury Lawyer
Firm News
- Attorney Discusses Truck Accidents in Winter Snowstorms
Posted on 2/8/2010 - Partners Set to Present for Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Assoc. Seminar
Posted on 2/8/2010 - Use of "safe-surgery checklist" could reduce medical mistakes
Posted on 2/4/2010 - Attorney Discusses the High Car Crash Rate in Hampton Roads
Posted on 2/4/2010 - Attorney Examines Increase in Wrong Way Car Wrecks in HOV Lanes
Posted on 2/3/2010
Library
Car & Motorcycle Accidents
- Medical Payments Coverage in Virginia: What Your Car Insurance Company Must Offer
- Winter Driving Conditions like Black Ice and Heavy Snow Can Be Challenging for Virginia (VA) Drivers.
- Pregnant drivers face unique injury risks while behind the wheel of a car. This page is focused on the issue of keeping both the soon-to-be-mother and unborn baby safe in a vehicle.
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- This page provides information about the complexity of trucking insurance and how it differs from regular car insurance. After you've had a chance to review this page, please take a look at our other articles, blogs, videos, and consumer guides on trucking topics.
- Here are some results from our truck accident cases. After you've taken a look, please give us a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
- Car and Truck Accidents/Personal Injury Law in West Virginia (WV)
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
- Here are some results from our medical malpractice and medical negligence cases. After you've reviewed them, give our firm a call at 1-800-752-0042.
- Medical Mistake in Rehabilitation Center Causes Death in Elderly Woman
- Why You Shouldn't Waive The Meningococcal Vaccine
Railroad Injury/FELA
- CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Other Rail Companies Looking at “Greener” Engines, but Appear to Neglect Health of Rail Workers.
- Here are some results from our railroad injury and FELA cases. After you've reviewed them, give our firm a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
- Work-related tasks can lead to repetitive stress and cumulative trauma injuries. If you've suffered either of these injuries, please consider giving our law firm a call for a free case analysis at 1-800-752-0042.
Brain Damage/Head Injuries
- Here are some of our results for traumatic brain injury and closed head injury cases. After you review them, give our firm a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Damage, Brain Injury or Closed Head Injuries
- Head injury: forgotten trauma
Wrongful Death
- Alcohol and prescription medication can seriously impair a driver's cognitive ability potentially leading a serious car accident. To learn more, please continue reading...
- Internet and Social Networks Add New Tools for Attorneys to Strengthen Client’s Case in Court
- We've represented family members who lost a loved one in an accident. Below are some of the case results. After you review them, give me a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
Slips, Trips & Falls
- Here are some results for our slip, trip, and fall cases. After you review them, give our firm a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.
- Richmond, Virginia (VA) Native Has Serious Injury to Knee After a Fall on Algae Covered Sidewalk
- Chronic Pain Caused by Fall in Atrium with Leak in Skylights
Mass Transit (Airline, Train, Bus)
- Some regional airlines have used car parts in their airplanes. These infractions are a major issue and completely unacceptable. To learn more, please continue reading...
- Virginia (VA) enters the modern era regarding boating licenses
- Boating accidents and injuries in Hampton Roads, Virginia (VA)
Dangerous Drugs/Product Recalls
- Dangerous Birth Control Medication and Their Terrible Side Effects
- Paxil is a Dangerous Drug and You Need to Know the Risks
- Avandia is a Dangerous Drug and You Need to Know the Side Effects
All Serious Injuries
- Researching whether an injury lawyer violated Virginia State Bar rules is important. You need an ethical and respected attorney. That's why you should call our office right away. Our firm enjoys a Martindale Hubbell rating of AV which means we have a reputation for the highest ethical standards and have over 100 years of combined legal experience.
- Suffered scarring or disfigurement from an accident? You've come to the right place. Our attorneys are here to help you. Check out our FREE consumer reports and view our video library.
- Many States Adopting Voluntary Mediation in Injury Cases
Testimony Excerpts from Personal Injury Cases
- Actual excerpts of testimony from personal injury cases in Virginia/Carolina and elsehwere are presented (Group 1)
- Testimony Excerpts-Orthopedic doctor/surgeon
- Testimony Excerpts-Materials Engineer-Norfolk Southern
Co-Counsel
Firm Newsletters
- Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis, and Appleton - Personal Injury Attorney's Spring 2009 Newsletter
- Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis, and Appleton Personal Injury Attorney's Summer 2009 Newsletter
- Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis, and Appleton Personal Injury Attorneys Fall 2009 Newsletter
All We Do is Injury Law
- Lawyers support diversity and equality...
- Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton Video
- One of our Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly
FREE Reports
- The Free Best Car Accident Guide To Injuries In Virginia
- TOP TEN TIPS FROM EXPERIENCED VIRGINIA/CAROLINA MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYERS
- The Free Railroad Worker's Do's & Don'ts When Injured at a Railroad Booklet
Virginia Supreme Court Decisions
- Antisdel v. Ashby is a case focused on whether or not an administrator of an estate appointed solely for the purpose of bringing a wrongful death action under Code § 8.01-50 is able to assert survival claims on behalf of the estate. The Virginia Supreme Court affirmed the decision from the circuit court of Shenandoah County.
- Parikh v. Family Care Center is a medical malpractice case focused on whether or not it is legal for a non-professional corporation to enforce a covenant not to compete with a former employee, a licensed physician.
- Holmes v. Levine is a wrongful death case dealing with a medical malpractice claim against a radiologist. This decision focuses on whether or not the trial court erred by not allowing the jury to hear the plaintiff's requested jury instruction regarding proximate causation.
Directories
- This is a directory of orthopedic surgeons in Norfolk, Virginia (VA). We are not endorsing any of the surgeons in this directory. In addition, this is not a comprehensive list. If an orthopedic surgeon would like to be added, please contact our firm at 1-800-752-0042.
- This is a directory of orthopedic surgeons in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). We are not endorsing any of the surgeons in this directory. In addition, this is not a comprehensive list. If an orthopedic surgeon would like to be added, please contact our firm at 1-800-752-0042.
- This is a directory of orthopedic surgeons in Portsmouth, Virginia (VA). We are not endorsing any of the surgeons in this directory. In addition, this is not a comprehensive list. If an orthopedic surgeon would like to be added, please contact our firm at 1-800-752-0042.
Medical Legal Exhibits Used in Court
General
Our Personal Injury Attorney Profiles:
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Richard N. Shapiro
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He served as a law clerk to Federal District Court Judge Robert G. Doumar in Norfolk, and now exclusively handles injury law. He co-authored “Railroad Health & Safety; a Litigator’s Guide” which appears in a leading law encyclopedia, “American Jurisprudence Trials”, and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the N.B.T.A. Rick was elected chair of the Railroad Law section of the American Association for Justice (AAJ, 2005-2006) and has lectured on evidence law to the AAJ, VTLA, Georgia TLA, as well as to Virginia lawyers.
A member of Primerus Society of Law Firms, along with his partners-an organization of experienced and ethical attorneys.
Rick regularly writes/blogs on injury law topics, along with his partners, as one of the editors of Virginia Beach Injuryboard , Norfolk Injuryboard, and the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard blogs.
See Richard N. Shapiro's lawyer rating on Avvo lawyer rating service. In addition, take a moment to look over Richard's profile on Martindale-Hubbell, another prominent legal rating service.
Richard N. Shapiro
online at
Less than 5% of attorneys practicing in personal injury law are selected as "Super Lawyers," and visit the official site for more details.
Ranked as a top-100 trial lawyer by the American Trial Lawyers Association
Selected for inclusion in the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 publication (Railroad Injury Law) which only includes a tiny number of the active attorneys in any given state.
Education:
Richard N. Shapiro received his college degree from the University of Maryland, served as staff assistant to U.S. Congressman Whitehurst, and graduated from George Mason Law School With Distinction.
Professional Honors & Activities:
Named as a Virginia "Super Lawyer" for personal injury/general category by Law & Politics publication for the State of Virginia (2009);
Invited Member: Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the USA;
Selected to the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" of Virginia, by the American Trial Lawyers Association
Selected to Who’s Who in American Law-2009
Recipient, George Mason Law Alumni Honor Scholarship, 1984.Member, George Mason University Law Review, 1982-1984 (Article Published-1984) Law School:
George Mason University, J.D. with distinction (top 5% of class) 1984.
Member of the Primerus International Society of Law Firms .
Rick is an inventor, holding 14 U.S. patents relating to compact, folding wheel axle technology applied to wagons, carts, jogging strollers and other products. He also has been granted several international patents and several of his designs are used on products sold in the US and internationally.
Presentations & Speeches:
Rick has lectured before lawyers with the AAJ, VTLA and GTLA, for Virginia CLE on evidence law and railroad/FELA law, and published an article entitled "Using Medical Evidence to Maximize Personal Injury Case Damages, in the VA Trial Lawyers Law Letter Vol. 21, No. 1 (2009).
Invited Presenter: AAJ Seminar on Railroad Release Law (June 2009), and has been an invited speaker at a number of national and regional lawyer seminars.
Publications:
Railroad Health & Safety; a Litigator’s Guide. Co-Author, 72 Am. Jur. Trials, p.1 (West).
Reported/Published legal decisions: Bray v. Ins. Co. of State of Pa., 917 F2d 130 (4th Cir. 1990).
Ratliff v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., 2009 WL 649268 (March 12, 2009) (Link to WV Supreme Court Website-Opinion)
Regular author/writer on Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and NE NC Injuryboard law blogs.
Bar Admissions:
He is admitted to practice law in Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina, and has litigated cases throughout the eastern U.S. with co-counsel under pro hac vice admission.
Court Admissions:
U.S. Supreme Court, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, numerous Fed. courts. VA, WV, NC, WASH, DC licensure.
Community Activities:
Rick donates to numerous charitable organizations outlined elsewhere on this website. Member: Norfolk-Portsmouth and Virginia Beach Bar Associations; Virginia State Bar; Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; American Association For Justice (Chairman, Railroad Section, 2005-2006); American Trial Lawyers Ass'n, Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys.
Download a Publication:
Car & Motorcycle Accidents
Chesapeake, Virginia (VA) man riding bicycle killed after being struck by vehicle
Keeping Our Kids Safe: A Practical Parent’s Guide For Safe Use of Child Safety Seats (CSS)
Keeping Our Kids Safe:What To Do And Know If You Suspect A Faulty Car Safety Seat
Crashes Caused by Trucks
Railroad Injury/FELA
Virginia railroad injury lawyers--A short history of railroad injury law in Virginia
What Every Railroad Worker Should Know About Diesel Fume Lung Disease and Lung Cancer
Prevention of Railroad Lifting and Repetitive Stress Injuries Using Ergonomic Analysis
Railroad Injury or Diseases, Like Asbestos Disease, Can Fall Under Various Laws
A GENERAL REVIEW OF ASBESTOS CLAIMS AFFECTING RAILROAD WORKERS
Brain Damage/Head Injuries
Slips, Trips & Falls
Mass Transit (Airline, Train, Bus)
All Serious Injuries
Personal Injury Lawyer Discusses Typical Ethical Issues in Personal Injuries
Forensic Evidence Law-How Personal Injury Attorneys Analyze Forensic Evidence
Co-Counsel
Quick Contact
Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton, P.C.
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757) 460-7776
Fax: (757) 460.3428
Toll Free: (800) 752.0042
Get Directions
NE NC Office
101 E. Elizabeth Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (757) 460-7776
Fax: (757) 460.3428
Toll Free: (800) 752.0042
Get Directions
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Case Results
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT, AND THE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS MENTIONED ON THIS WEBSITE, WHILE ACCURATE, DO NOT REPRESENT WHAT WE MAY OBTAIN FOR YOU IN YOUR CASE.
Car & Motorcycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Passengers Recover $1,512,000.00
- Rear Ender-Neck/Cervical Fusion Surgery, Lost Income and Earnings
- Pedestrians Struck by Automobile Recover $540,000.00
- Car Accident-minivan-knee surgery
- Crosswalk Accident With Broken Leg Settles For $227,000.00
Awarded: $1,512,000.00
Awarded: $545,000.00
Awarded: $227,000
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- MACK truck-trailer-wreck/leg fractures
- Truck-Train crossing collision-back injuries
- Automobile Accident Causing Coma and Paralysis
- Collision Between Two Big Rigs Creates Fireball
- Virginia Automobile Accident
Awarded: Counsel settled with the motorist's insurer, and then with two additional underinsurance carriers for a total settlement of $600,000 which constituted all available insurance.
Awarded: Case settled at mediation for $450,000.00, from the parked truck’s insurance, plus additional monies and concessions from the client’s workers’ compensation insurer
Awarded: The case was settled for $350,000.00 without the necessity of a trial.
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
- Retained Surgical Sponge and Subsequent Complications
- Failed Back Surgery
- Failure to Diagnose/ER Doctor/vascular incident (aortic aneurysim)
- Gastric Bypass (stomach stapling) Surgery complications
- Gallbladder Surgery Error
Awarded: $425,000.00 Settlement
Awarded: The case was settled before the trial for 1.25 million dollars.
Awarded: $700,000.00
Awarded: $550,000.00 settlement during mediation.
Awarded: $425,000
Railroad Injury/FELA
- Shoulder Injury requiring surgery for Locomotive Engineer
- Locomotive Engineer with Shoulder and Knee Injuries
- Railroad Conductor gets back injury due to fall in ballast depression
- Railroad conductor/back injury-surgery/Safety Appliance act Violations
- Locomotive Engine Fire causes Rail Engineer right arm and wrist surgery
Awarded: The Jacksonville, Florida State Court jury returned a $978,000.00 verdict in favor of TA against the railroad.
Awarded: Several days before court-ordered mediation, the parties arrived at a settlement of $950,000.00.
Awarded: The case was settled for $900,000
Awarded: The case was settled at mediation for $700,000.00
Brain Damage/Head Injuries
- Gas Station Worker Pinned In building-train derailment, brain injury
- Brain Injury To Railroad Engineer Caused By Exploding Valve on Engine (verdict)
Awarded: $46,000,000, with Interest 60 Million
Awarded: $365,000.00
Wrongful Death
- Wrongful Death-Car Struck By Tractor Trailer
- Car Accident-Death of Minor/Child-Wrongful Death Settlement
- Wrongful Death settlements-Asbestos/Mesothelioma Cases
Awarded: $2,400,000.00
Slips, Trips & Falls
- Fiberglass Ladder Defect-Knee Injury/surgery-Bauer brand
- Insurance Adjuster Recovers $150,000.00 for Injuries Sustained at Local Restaurant
- Skiing/Ski Lift Operator Negligence-Knee/Leg Injury
- Department Store Shelf Falls on Customer
- Trip & Fall, Foot/Leg Injuries at a Virginia Restaurant
Awarded: 150,000.00
Awarded: $120,000.00
Awarded: Confidential Settlement
All Serious Injuries
- Personal Injury/Partial Loss of Eyesight-Bar/Restaurant/Nightclub Lack of Security- $500,000.00 VA Settlement
- Pilot Suffers Electrical Shock Injury At Hotel Ending Commercial Pilot’s Career--Settlement Soon Before Federal Court Jury Trial
Awarded: $500,000
Awarded: 1.5 Million Settlement For Electrical Shock Injury to Hotel Guest/Pilot
Other
- Faulty Product - Fiberglass Stepladder Failure
- Skiing Accident
- Hotel Guest-Glass Coffee Carafe Shatters-Hand Injury
Awarded: Ultimately, the parties all submitted to mediation carried out by a retired judge. The case was resolved for $375,000.00, with part paid by both Bauer and AT&T.
Awarded: The case was tried and the jury returned a verdict for $150,000.00, plus interest and costs. No settlement offer was ever made before the verdict.
Awarded: Hand Injury Settlement/Glass Coffee Carafe Shatters-Hotel Guest
FAQs
Car & Motorcycle Accidents
- I've been hurt in a car wreck and the insurance company for the other driver has called me to give a recorded statement. Should I do it?
- Should I use my regular health insurance to pay for the medical care I need as a result of a car accident?
- Our new clients in car accident cases often asked, "Can I accept a check which has been offered to me for my car repairs or will that mess up my claim for injuries and medical bills?"
- Why shouldn't I just take a quick settlement for whatever the car insurance company for the other driver will pay me?
- What do I do if the at-fault driver's car insurance is not returning my calls or dragging its feet after a Virginia car accident with injuries?
Crashes Caused by Trucks
- A big rig went out of control on the road, caused a major accident, and I was injured. Can I recover against the driver of the big rig?
- How much time does it take to resolve a truck accident case? Do most cases settle or go to trial?
- How much time do I have after a trucking accident to file a lawsuit?
- Are there different rules that apply to accidents involving commercial trucks?
- Is the law applying to a car and truck wreck case different from a car injury case and how?
Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes
- A family member died in a nursing home, and after talking with members of the staff, it sounds like they died due to nursing home neglect. Should I get a lawyer?
- I have a feeling something is wrong at my family member's nursing home. What should I do if I suspect nursing home abuse or neglect?
- A family member died in a nursing home, and after talking with members of the staff, it sounds like they died due to nursing home neglect. Should I get a lawyer?
What is the Virginia (VA) statute of limitations for personal injury in a medical malpractice case?
Railroad Injury/FELA
- What does Statute 51 of the FELA actually mean?
How is the FELA different from, or similar to, workers compensation?
Brain Damage/Head Injuries
- I was never knocked unconscious, or at least can't be sure I was ever knocked out. I don't even know if my head struck anything. Could I suffer from a brain injury/closed head injury?
- I was never diagnosed with a closed head injury or a brain injury at first-what does that do to my potential case?
Wrongful Death
- My wife died in a car accident in Virginia. Am I entitled to bring a wrongful death claim against the driver who caused the accident?
- I think I have a wrongful death claim in Virginia as my wife died from injuries in a car crash, but how does a court calculate loss of comfort, sorrow, mental anguish and solace?
- My husband died from injuries in a Virginia car accident, what damages may I claim from a wrongful death case?
- What if an individual dies from the injuries in an accident while the case in pending?
- What is a wrongful death claim?
Slips, Trips & Falls
- What happens if I injured myself at my friend's house or apartment?
- What should I avoid doing after a slip and fall accident?
- If I file a lawsuit against a landowner in response to a slip and fall accident, what are some of the things the landowner might argue against my claim?
- What are "slip and fall" or "trip and fall" injuries?
- What if my slip and fall injury was on my landlord's property, at work, or at a public mall? How does the location affect the legal process?
Mass Transit (Airline, Train, Bus)
- If I'm hit and injured by a train, bus, airplane, or other common carrier vehicle what can I recover for my injuries?
- If I want to file a lawsuit for injuries I suffered from a bus, train, cruise ship or airplane accident, do I have to file a claim by a certain date or time?
Dangerous Drugs/Product Recalls
What are Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella?
What are the differences between Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella?
What are the potential side effects of Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella?
Should I speak to a Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella attorney?
How can an attorney help me if I suffered side effects from Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella?
All Serious Injuries
- Can you provide me with some deposition advice?
- What is a deposition?
Does the court hire the court reporter?
- Who can be present at my deposition?
- How can the opposing party use my deposition against me?
General
- Who pays if I incur an injury due to an auto accident or my car is damaged?
- How much am I likely to recover when in court?
- What if I do not want to go to court because I am getting nervous about testifying?
- How long will the whole process take?
- Can I afford to get into a lawsuit?