Testimonials From Real Clients

I wanted to write this note about the work Mr. Shapiro and his staff did to help me get my case settled, as it’s been a long road that I’ve had to go down with them. In May 2017 I was a senior in high school looking forward to graduating, and my plan was to join the military. I lived just over a mile from school and would ride my bike home. I was riding my bike along the one-way road sidewalk, and I knew a lot of truckers use the street, and I had to cross a ramp they use getting on to the interstate. I got near the end of the sidewalk and stopped my bike and put my foot down to wait for tractor-trailer to pass and go on the ramp, and the next thing I know some metal part of the trailer sideswiped me from behind, and before I could do anything I was rolling under the rear tires of the tractor-trailer in the street. The driver kept going and never stopped. Another truck driver, who saw the whole thing, ran up to me, I was laying in the street for dead and I didn’t even hardly know where I was. Next thing I knew the rescue squad was there. I barely remember a helicopter taking me to MCV, I was in there for over a month mainly in the ICU. ​Related Content: Learn about the legal strategies utilized by our team of attorneys to secure a $1.1 million settlement in this client's case. Sometime in the first couple of days my mom knew she needed to find a top Virginia personal injury lawyer and she found Rick Shapiro who talked with her and then came and met her at the hospital, and he talked to me but I was really out of it. He and his staff got involved right away, and they started investigating what happened. I just knew that some part of the trailer struck me and the law firm did all kinds of investigation. Mr. Shapiro hired a truck expert and they both came to my house to talk to me about what happened, while I was still in a wheelchair, this was after I got released from MCV. Mr. Shapiro went to the scene of the accident with the truck expert. They later showed me pictures and videotape they got there and the expert plotted everything out, all of the dimensions, the angles trucks can turn onto that ramp, and they videotaped other trucks turning into the entry ramp, and they researched the law that applies to truck drivers especially how the trailers on 18 wheelers track at a  different angle from the truck cab and that the truck drivers are supposed to know everything about it. Mr. Shapiro told me that the trucking company was not going to settle and so they put the case into the circuit court, and that’s when the war really got going. I’ve never been in anything like this but Mr. Shapiro prepared me a lot to give my deposition, told me what to expect from the trucking company attorney.   The lawyers for the trucking company actually had located pictures from one of my Facebook profiles, they had gotten stuff that was posted five years before this ever happened, and they wanted to use all this stuff. Mr. Shapiro objected to all that and filed papers to be sure that the trucking lawyers couldn’t use Facebook pictures that had nothing to do with my case. What was even better is that my lawyer found evidence, from doing research, that proved that the truck driver had been convicted of a felony. My lawyer told me that the trucking company lawyers didn’t even believe that it was their driver who had a felony, because he had told them he had never been convicted of a crime!  My lawyer showed them evidence that the truck driver was convicted of a burglary felony, and the tractor-trailer driver admitted it when Mr. Shapiro took his deposition. We went to a mediation with a retired judge, Mr. Shapiro said it made sense to do it. This was the first time the trucking company showed evidence that they had $1 million in total insurance. Mr. Shapiro put together a brochure of pictures and evidence to show that the trucking company driver was negligent and all the reasons why. Sometime after the mediation was the first time the trucking company offered their full policy of $1 million dollars. Mr. Shapiro told me we could get more, so he eventually got the trucking company to also put up additional money over the amount of their insurance. That’s when I told Mr. Shapiro let’s settle my case. If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer that will do everything they can to help win your case, and will keep you posted about stuff every step of the way, I suggest you contact Shapiro & Appleton law firm. My mother and I are so happy that we hired them.  I’m hoping to start my own business with the settlement money even if I can’t qualify to join the military right now.  

K.B. [name withheld due to confidential terms of settlement and to retain privacy]

In 2014, my father died of lung cancer. This cancer started in his lungs and spread to his body. My father made me promise to have an autopsy after he died because of the terrible working conditions and asbestos exposure he had in his 40-year career with the railroad. The results came back and we went through two different law firms that turned down are case. My sister then ran across Rick Shapiro on the internet. He actually answered the call when she called. Rick went the extra mile and sent tissue to a pathologist and found asbestos. We then filed a lawsuit against the railroad. This firm has the resources and experts to win a case against a big railroad. We settled just a week before trial with more than 10 times the amount they first offered. I would recommend the firm and its staff. Our family is very satisfied with our experience.

Steve K.

I was hurt in an auto accident in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I needed a lawyer since the medical bills were piling up. I searched online and found this law firm. They were fantastic. My lawyer, and his team, were genuinely concerned about my issues and called me back immediately when I had any questions. We were a team and achieved a successful outcome. I am very satisfied with the level of representation I received and would strongly recommend this firm to anyone who needs a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer.

Jimpearl B.

I was hurt in an accident in Chesapeake, Virginia. I needed legal representation and my step-father recommended I contact this law firm. They were wonderful and so helpful and I am extremely satisfied with the outcome of my case. I definitely recommend this firm to anyone who needs a personal injury attorney.

Loretta W.

I got hurt in an accident on a business premise. I decided to hire a personal injury lawyer so I looked around online and found this law firm. My lawyer did a great job on my case. He was very responsive and informative. Every time I had a question, he and his team followed up to make sure I was aware of every step of the case. I was thoroughly pleased with the outcome of my case and would definitely recommend his legal services to others.

Jannette G.

I got injured while on a business premise. I decided to hire a lawyer so I looked around online and found this Chesapeake personal injury law firm. They did a great job on my case. They were very responsive and informative. Every time I had a question, the legal team followed up to make sure I was aware of every step of the case. I was thoroughly pleased with the outcome of my case and would definitely recommend this law firm's legal services to others.

Jannette G.

It was two days before Christmas when Frank decided to trim the grass in his back yard in anticipation of the family arriving for Christmas dinner on Christmas Day. Minutes later he was engulfed in burning gasoline from an exploding gas tank on his Ryobi riding lawn mower. Despite the efforts of his wife of 60 years, he sadly died in front of her. The family was stunned and horrified, how could this possibly happen to him, or to anyone out mowing their lawn.   Frank's wife and two family members decided to find out how this could happen but due to the burned remains of the Ryobi mower they knew they would need professional help. During their search an article appeared in the local paper of an inventor announcing a new invention and coincidentally he was also an attorney  It seemed logical that we needed someone who understood how mechanical things work so after discussions the decision was made to hire Attorney/Inventor Richard Shapiro of Virginia Beach, Va.   It was a long, bumpy road of discovery but in the end Mr. Shapiro and his co-counsel Mr. Sullivan discovered the reason this tragedy occurred and sent a strong financial message to the manufacturer about how important it is to make safe products and for them to announce to their customers all safety/defect issues. We are very pleased with Mr. Shapiro and recommend him.

Steve B.

It was two days before Christmas when Frank decided to trim the grass in his back yard in anticipation of the family arriving for Christmas dinner on Christmas Day. Minutes later he was engulfed in burning gasoline from an exploding gas tank on his Ryobi riding lawn mower. Despite the efforts of his wife of 60 years, he sadly died in front of her. The family was stunned and horrified, how could this possibly happen to him, or to anyone out mowing their lawn.   Frank's wife and two family members decided to find out how this could happen but due to the burned remains of the Ryobi mower they knew they would need professional help. During their search an article appeared in the local paper of an inventor announcing a new invention and coincidentally he was also an attorney  It seemed logical that we needed someone who understood how mechanical things work so after discussions the decision was made to hire Attorney/Inventor Richard Shapiro of Virginia Beach, Va.   It was a long, bumpy road of discovery but in the end Mr. Shapiro and his co-counsel Mr. Sullivan discovered the reason this tragedy occurred and sent a strong financial message to the manufacturer about how important it is to make safe products and for them to announce to their customers all safety/defect issues. We are very pleased with Mr. Shapiro and recommend him.

Steve B.

I got hurt in a car accident in Newport News. The insurance company was not offering me a fair settlement so I decided to hire a Newport News personal injury lawyer. Kevin Duffan was my attorney and he did a great job. His legal assistant, Tara, did everything she said she was going to do and it was so easy to talk to both Tara and Kevin. I am 100 percent satisfied with the outcome of my case and would definitely recommend this firm to others. 

Aaron R.

I got hurt in a bad car accident. My medical costs were staggering and I did not know if the auto insurance company was going to cover all my bills. I decided to hire a personal injury lawyer and found Rick Shapiro. I am so glad I hired Mr. Shapiro. He worked hard on my case and I was very satisfied with the settlement that I received. Rick also helped me with my Medicare bills and I was relieved to find out that Medicare only required me to payback a small percentage of the amount spent on medical costs for my therapy and recovery. Thank you for your negotiation with the parties in my case.

James H.