Virginia (VA) Personal Injury law firm news

Sailboats Strike Overhead Power Lines in Chesapeake, Virginia (VA)

Several sailboats have become entangled in overhead power lines in St. Julian’s Creek in Chesapeake, VA. Four vessels have struck the power lines in the last 7 years and 2 of those have caught fire and sunk, resulting in injuries and one fatality (2007). According to the Virginian Pilot, the most recent of these accidents took place in September of 2008. Fortunately, Dominion Virginia Power—the company who owns the lines—was able to shut off the line and no one was injured.

Apparently, the sailboats were following the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) northbound and became confused after passing through the Gilmerton Bridge, thinking that St. Julian’s Creek was a continuation of the ICW. The vessels’ masts then became entangled in the overhead power lines that hang 45ft above the creek. Following these incidents, a warning daybeacon has been placed near the creek and signs have been posted warning boaters of the low hanging lines. However, many local boaters wonder if these precautions will be enough to prevent future accidents.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm (VA-NC law offices ) edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono service to consumers. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY, who handle car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more.

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Our VA personal injury lawyers have been selected for many accolades.

Two of the attorneys with our Virginia Beach accident injury law firm, James Lewis and Rick Shapiro, have been named the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Two of our VA injury lawyers -- Lewis and Shapiro - have been named to Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury since 2010. In addition, Lewis and Shapiro have been selected for inclusion in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. 

Our VA accident injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth nvited to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Rick Shapiro was named as one of the Top 100 Injury Lawyers in Virginia by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

In October, 2000 our law firm and co-counsel obtained what was then the largest verdict in Virginia's history for an injured person. Our brain damaged client received an initial award of $46 million that rose to $60 million with interest when the defendant abandoned an appeal and agreed to settle. 

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Our personal injury lawyers handle personal injury cases throughout the eastern USA, and work closely with lawyers in other states on signficant injury cases.

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