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You went above and beyond the call of duty for an attorney.
I like to deal with people who are honest and who keep their word. You are that kind of straight shooter.
I would recommend Mr. Shapiro and his staff to other persons who have a personal injury and need help with their situation as I did.
I asked a friend of mine...what attorney would he use [to handle a mesothelioma case] and he immediately said Rick Shapiro. He called Rick on his cell phone and explained our situation and handed me the phone. That connection to the law firm of Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis and Appleton began a relationship of trust and a sense of confidence that we had not experienced before. It was apparent to us that we had the right team fighting for our father.
She returned my calls promptly and everyone at the office was courteous and helpful.
I was really happy with the work that John Cooper did on my auto accident case. We went to mediation and got the case resolved for a good amount which will let me do things to help my financial future like buying a house.

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Virginia Woman Develops Russian Accident After Head Injury

Posted on Jun 25, 2010

Why are traumatic brain injuries so different from other kinds of accident injuries? Unlike broken bones or lacerations, brain injuries can permanently change your perception, your personality, and your abilities – just ask 45-year-old Robin Jenks Vanderlip, a Virginia, Fairfax woman who suffered a serious slip and fall accident and woke up with a Russian accent.

In May of 2007, Vanderlip fell down a flight of stairs and struck her head. Although she had never been to Russia – or ever heard a Russian accent to her memory – the woman woke up sounding as if she had been born in the faraway country. Three years later, she is still burdened with not sounding like herself or her culture.

Virginia doctors diagnosed Vanderlip with Foreign Accent Syndrome, a rare and little-understood consequence of head injuries and brain damage. While fewer than 60 cases have been documented since it was originally discovered during the 1940s, scientists have taken an interest in the odd disease, which has also made a Louisiana woman speak with a Cajun accent, an English woman to speak like a Jamaican, and a Japanese man speak with a Korean accent.

Foreign Accent Syndrome can change your life – in one case, a Norwegian woman was ostracized from her community after she hit her head and developed a German accent. In all cases, patients will never again hear the sound of their own voice – and struggle through life explaining that they aren’t from where it sounds like they are from. While it is sometimes easy to put a price on an accident injury, the real cost of traumatic brain injuries is harder to determine.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and we have experience handling traumatic brain injury and closed head injuries. In fact, our firm received, what was then, the largest verdict in Virginia history in a brain injury case. We also have a blog focused exclusively on topics related to brain injuries and head wounds.

Our firm is based in Virginia Beach, though but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness. While not every injury case meets our criteria, we off a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call promptly.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 Edition, and along with attorney John Cooper, were named Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law (2010 Ed., less than 5% of lawyers are chosen), and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube . Furthermore, our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a public information service.

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Main VA Office
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757)-460-7776
Fax: (757)-460-3428
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

Hampton-Peninsula Area Office
Mill Point Center
101 Eaton Street
Hampton, Virginia 23669
Phone: (757)-788-8162

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Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Toll Free: 1-800-752-0042

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