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Practice Areas
- Car Accident Lawyers in Virginia (VA, NC)
- Trucking/Tractor Trailer/Semi Accidents (VA NC SC WV, eastern USA)
- Surgical Errors, Nursing Home Negligence, Medical Malpractice Lawyers VA NC SC WV
- Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond
- Virginia/Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers: Traumatic Brain Injuries/Closed Head Injuries/Concussions VA WV NC SC
- Wrongful Death Claims in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina VA NC SC WV
- Mass Transit (Airline, Cruise Ship, Train, Rail, Bus)
- General Personal Injury Claims We Handle-Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington D.C. or Eastern U.S.A. (VA NC SC WV)
HSInjury Blog 
Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond
- Amtrak Makes New Agreement With the State of Virginia
- Italian Train Derailment Sends Gas Spewing and Causes Explosion
- DC Metro crash cases-Where You File Suit May Matter
Firm News
- FELA Injury Lawyer, John Cooper, Tapped to Serve as Designated Legal Counsel for Rail Union
- Location of Metro Train Disaster Familiar to Our D.C. Area Injury Lawyers
- Railroad Accident in Milwaukee Injures Two People
- Railroad Stocks Up, Helps Workers?
- Virginia Lawmakers Stop Bill That Would Help Workers With Traumatic Brain Injuries
Library
Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond
- Make Sure to Save Key Evidence in the Event of an Insurance Claim for Injury Arising Out of a Passenger Train Accident on Amtrak or Commuter Railroads Like D.C.’s Metrorail
- Two D.C. Metro Trains Collide During Rush Hour, Deaths and Injuries Occurred
- Virginia railroad injury lawyers--A short history of railroad injury law in Virginia
Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond
Our ties with the railroad date back to the very founding of the firm. Our founder served as a trainman/conductor for the NS/Norfolk and Western Railway Company and a UTU union official before receiving his law degree. His experience on the railroads allowed him to bring unique perspectives to his railroad legal practice, including the safety and wage concerns of those who are in the vital business of keeping the trains moving. Since our founding, the firm's present injury lawyers have developed immense trial experience in railroad worker injury, disease, and death claims (including occupational disorders/diseases such as lung, hearing or repetitive stress injuries as well as asbestos disease/cancer/mesothelioma), train/railroad derailments and wrecks, railroad crossing crashes and Amtrak passenger injuries, and railroad toxic chemical spills. Richard N. Shapiro, one of our attorneys, is the co-author of “Railroad Health & Safety-A Litigator’s Guide,” one of leading treatises on railroad injury law, found in the nation’s law libraries (72 Am. Jur. Trials 1). Also, Richard N. Shapiro and John M. Cooper have both served as officers and the Chairman of the American Association for Justice Railroad Section, the largest group of the nation’s trial attorneys. Our firm has collected and indexed over 1,000 depositions in railroad and similar injury cases, hundreds of specific research files, as well as numerous railroad manuals and videos relating specifically to railroad issues. Our attorneys have handled railroad litigation in nearly every eastern state in the USA.
Our staff includes attorneys that have been selected by the BLET as designated legal counsel, and our lawyer's are well known authorities in the field of railroad FELA and railroad crossing law--several have been elected officers of the American Association For Justice, Railroad section.
Our investigators provide valuable assistance in many of our cases, and we credit that to the years of rail experience that they bring to the table. Most have had past employment in the railroad industry, and as a result they not only know how to find crucial pertinent information, but they also are able to relate with our railroad clients in ways that simply wouldn’t occur to an investigator with no prior knowledge of railroading.
It has been our privilege to represent trainmen, brakeman/conductors, engineers, carmen, signalmen, machinists, maintenance-of-way-workers, as well as their families and friends on railroad cases or even injury cases unrelated to the rail industry. As a result of our efforts, our firm is well known to thousands of railroad workers throughout the eastern region of the United States.
Should you or a loved one suffer from an injury during the course of your work on the railroad, having an attorney with a unique and thorough understanding of the rail industry can make all the difference. Contact our law offices for a free case assessment today.
Library for Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond:
- Make Sure to Save Key Evidence in the Event of an Insurance Claim for Injury Arising Out of a Passenger Train Accident on Amtrak or Commuter Railroads Like D.C.’s Metrorail
Description: Our law firm regularly takes on Amtrak and other passenger railroads with regard to claims where people got hurt because of negligence by the people running the trains. If you or a family member is ever hurt or worse, killed, on an Amtrak or Metro train, it is critical that you keep all important information and documents to show what happened. - Two D.C. Metro Trains Collide During Rush Hour, Deaths and Injuries Occurred
Description: According to CNN, two Metro trains collided during rush hour Monday killing four and injuring dozens. Mayor Adrian Fenty said “It is the deadliest crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. - Virginia railroad injury lawyers--A short history of railroad injury law in Virginia
Description: Virginia has rich history in railroading and it is historically an area where there are also many railroad injury lawyers. Norfolk & Western Railway Company, now Norfolk Southern, has been based in Norfolk, Virginia for many years and our law office is a mere 20 minutes away. - RAILROAD INJURIES/CROSSING ACCIDENT INJURIES-the applicable law explained by Virginia/Carolina personal injury lawyers
Description: Our Virginia/Carolina based personal injury law firm has a long history of representing personal injury victims in railroad accidents, including derailments, FELA injuries, and accidents that occur at railroad crossings between trains and cars or trucks. Deaths or personal injuries occurring at public or private railroad crossings involve a lot of different overlapping federal, state and local laws and statutes, and some of the unique facets of these cases are discussed. - Railroad Injury Attorneys in VA/WV/NC-Use of Brief on Radio Dispatch Regulation Violations In FELA Case
Description: In railroad injury cases representing workers, our FELA/railroad injury lawyers expend much effort investigating, along with our investigators, whether a railroad complied with pertinent federal or state safety statutes and regulations, that may apply to any circumstances of the client injury. Why? Violations mean the railroad cannot offer the worker’s contributory fault (think rule violations) nor must any “careless” or “negligent” conduct by the railroad be proven. - Railroad/FELA Injury Lawyers Use Safety Regulations Against Railroads, Including radio/dispatching regulations-This helps prove responsibility on railoads
Description: In railroad injury cases representing workers, our FELA/railroad injury lawyers expend much effort investigating, along with our investigators, whether a railroad complied with pertinent federal or state safety statutes and regulations, that may apply to any circumstances of the client injury. Why? Violations mean the railroad cannot offer the worker’s contributory fault (think rule violations) nor must any “careless” or “negligent” conduct by the railroad be proven. - Locomotive Inspection Act Regulation Violations Involving Diesel Fumes or Toxic Exhaust Fumes, Including Asbestos Insulation
Description: Cases determining that a railroad violates Locomotive Inspection Act (LIA) regulations by equipping the locomotive engines with asbestos are not covered in this brief, which covers regulations violated by toxic fumes/diesel fumes getting in railroad engine cabs, however if you have any questions about a railroad personal injury, disease, or wrongful death claim, including a claim caused by a toxic or dangerous fume or substance, contact our firm for a free confidential consultation. - New Railroad Tactic Seeks to Reduce Railroad Worker Injury Verdicts, Claiming a Railroad Retirement Board Payment Set off
Description: New Railroad Tactic Seeks to Reduce Railroad Worker Injury Verdicts, Claiming a Railroad Retirement Board Payment Set off, but nearly all courts have refused giving the railroad employers and "credit" or "setoff" for employer side contributions to the RRB system, which provides sickness and unemployment benefits to rail workers temporarily out of work. - New Railroad Tactic Seeks to Reduce Railroad Worker Injury Verdicts, Brief filed by FELA attorneys for workers
Description: Virginia railroad injury attorneys discuss how railroads try to claim setoffs or credits for
RRB benefits or railroad retirement benefits they paid as a setoff of FELA verdicts for RRB benefits it pays. FELA attorneys for workers discuss the law and attach a brief on the issue.
Frequent Questions for Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond:
Videos about Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond:
- FELA Statute of Limitations
- What Every Railroad Claim Agent Knows, But Will Never Tell You
- FELA cumulative trauma
- F.E.L.A. Claims
- Information About Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Case Results for Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond:
- 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
- Rail Conductor receives back injuries as a result of Train-Truck Crossing Collision
- Rail yard injury - rotator cuff surgeries on conductor
- Knee Injuries and Low Back Injuries to Railroad Engineer
- Heavy lifting injury - ticket agent-clerk
- Back and Neck Injuries to Rail Conductor due to Derailment, faulty switch
- Rail Conductor gets Career Ending Injury due to Bad "Drawhead"
- Back Injury to rail conductor operating a "derailler"
- Railroad-Roadway Crossing Accident - Car Passengers Injured
- Railroad Conductor Neck Injury and Surgery from a Motor Vehicle Accident
- Conductor Back Injury-Railroad Engine Stairwell Light Not Working-Regulation Violation Proved
- AMTRAK ENGINEER SETTLES WITH AMTRAK AND CSX OVER DERAILMENT
- Amtrak Worker Slips on Ice in Richmond, Virginia (VA). Two Knee Surgeries.
- Multiple Asbestos-Mesothelioma Cancer Settlements-Railroad companies
- Railroad Employee Recovers Confidential Sum for Injuries Suffered in a Lifting Injury
- West Virginia Supreme Court Reinstates Railroad Engineer’s Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Suit, Ruling Railroad’s Release Of Claims Was Void
- Railroad Conductor/Diesel Fume Asthma/Lung Disease
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
Awarded: A $650,000.00 jury verdict. (Note: the jury verdict was twenty times larger than what the insurer offered just before trial).
Awarded: $600,000
Awarded: On the morning of trial, the passenger railroad settled with MM for $350,000.00. The case proceeded to jury verdict against the trucking defendant and a $564,000.00 verdict was returned. (Under Virginia law, a credit in favor of the trucking company was then applied, so that MM's gross recovery as to all parties was $564,000.00).
Awarded: $450,000 settlement (Settlement monies will be used by WG and his family to allow him to retrain for a lighter type of job outside the railroad industry)
Awarded: The case was settled during suit for $370,000.00
Awarded: Settled for $367,000.00 before trial.
Awarded: The case settled for $333,000.00.
Awarded: The firm settled the claims against State Farm/driver for $50,000.00 and $29,000.00 and settled the claims against Norfolk Southern for $32,000.00 and $22,000.00. Each settlement was approved under the infant settlement provisions of Virginia law.
Awarded: Confidential Settlement Satisfactory to Client.
Awarded: Confidential Sum
Awarded: Amtrak Engineer Settles His Injury Claims With Trucking company, Amtrak and CSX Arising From Amtrak Derailment
Awarded: Case settled after extensive negotiation with Amtrak about what the claim was worth for approximately $150,000.00.
Web Resources for Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond:
- National Conference of Fireman and Oilers
Description: The official site to the National Conference of Fireman and Oil Workers.
- American Train Dispatchers Department
Description: The American Train Dispatchers Association participates in most of the programs offered through the Union Privilege Benefits Department, AFL-CIO.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Description: Official Site of the International Brotherhood of Electricl Workers.
- Transport Workers Union
Description: The official site to the Transportation Workers Union.
- United Transportation Union
Description: UTU news online.
- Transportation Communications Union
Description: TCU news online.
- Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA)
Description: What every railroad employee and spouse should know about the Federal Employers' Liability Act.
- Railroad Retirement Board
Description: U.S. Agency in charge of rail workers pension and social security benefits.
- Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
Description: Labor organization representing 10000 railroad signalmen throughout the United States and into Canada. Headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
- Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees
Description: Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Blog for Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond
- Amtrak Makes New Agreement With the State of Virginia
- Italian Train Derailment Sends Gas Spewing and Causes Explosion
- DC Metro crash cases-Where You File Suit May Matter
- DC Metro Crash-NTSB inspecting Railroad/Train track sensor and control systems
- My Law Partner John Cooper, Who Has Handled Numerous Amtrak and Commuter Train Injury Cases, Makes a Good Point About Keeping Proof that You Were on the Train at the Time of the Recent Crash in a Library Article We Just Posted
- Potential Causes of DC Metro Crash Arising-Signals and Operator Combined?
- Metro Railroad Trains Collide Outside Washington, D.C.--At Least Six Dead, 60 Injured
- Railroad/FELA Injury Lawyers Use Safety Regulations Against Railroads, Including radio/dispatching regulations-This helps prove responsibility on railoads
- Locomotive Inspection Act Regulation Violations Involving Diesel Fumes or Toxic Exhaust Fumes, Including Asbestos Insulation
- New Railroad Tactic Seeks to Reduce Railroad Worker Injury Verdicts, By Claiming RRB system "setoff"-Firm wins victory for Worker
- New Railroad Health Study Links COPD Deaths to Prolonged Diesel Fume Exposure
- Impact of Safety Appliance Act Regulations on Railroad Worker Injury Cases under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)-What You Need to Know Can and Will Help Your Case!
- Man’s Severed Body Found on Train Tracks in Norfolk
- West Virginia (WV) Supreme Court Reinstates Railroad Engineer’s Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Suit, Ruling Railroad’s Release Of Claims Was Void
- Railroad Worker Deaths Increase in 2008, According to Federal Railroad Administration Statistics
- CSX Conductor Falls on Ballast – F.E.L.A. Claim
- Why Waiting Too Long To Hire A Railroad Injury Attorney Can Kill Your Case: The Top Five Reasons
- 48 Millon Dollar FELA Quadriplegia Verdict Upheld By Trial Judge
- Top Ten Maintenance of Way Injuries for 2008
- Our Firm Just Added Great Library and News Items in Our Railroad Section About Railroad Company Cost Cutting and Safety
- How Railroads Try To Pay Workers Less on Railroad Case Verdicts by Claiming an Offset for Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Disability Benefits
- Railroad Employee Recovers Confidential Sum for Injuries Suffered in a Lifting Injury
- Two Canadian-Pacific Trains Collide in SE Minnesota
- Fatal Wayne County, WV, Van and Train Wreck Remains A Mystery
- 2 Million Dollar FELA Verdict For Railroad Engineer Against CSX: Suit Alleged Improperly Mounted Seats/Seatbacks and Repetitive Rough Couplings
- Verdict Against CSX Railroad for West Virginia Engineer Suffering Lung Disease from Toxic, Hazardous Fumes
- Railroad Accidents/FELA/Railroad Crossings-Personal Injury Lawyers Discuss applicable law at railroad crossings
- Cold Weather Not Friendly To Workers Handling Railroad Track Switches and Derails-Avoiding Personal Injuries
- Private Railroad Crossing Safety: Reasonable Warnings Required By State Law
- Rail Safety Legislation Passes Both House & Senate– First Major Rail Safety Legislation Since 1974
- Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma Cancer in Railroad Workers
- Railroads Must Protect Bridges and Ditches with Better Markings For Night-time Work
- Feds Ban Cell Phone Use By Railroad Engine/Locomotive Crews
- Los Angeles Deadly Train/Rail Crash Underscores Need for Positive Train Control/Stop Systems, and Cell Phone Regulations
- Railroad Workers Have Rights to settle with, or sue, their Employers, Unlike Most US Workers
- Injury attorney, John Cooper, added an article about Virginia (VA) railroad/highway grade crossing accidents.
- More Injury Claims Likely With Increased Ridership on Amtrak
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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
NE NC Office
101 E. Elizabeth Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Phone: (757) 460-7776
Fax: (757) 460.3428
Toll Free: (800) 752.0042
Case Results
Railroad Accidents/FELA, Crossing Injury, Occupational injuries/diseases VA NC WV SC and Beyond
- 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