Latest Legal News | Norfolk Legal Examiner

Diving Injury Paraplegic Awarded 16 Million

An 18 year old young man from Kansas dove from the dock into a lake in 2005 and came out without being able to walk again. The water where he dove was less than 4 feet deep, but was not properly marked. A jury in 2007 held the corporation that owned the lake responsible for this injury and awarded 2

By Richard Shapiro

/ 3 Jul 2007

Negligence by truckers a major cause of large truck crashes, according to new study

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a report to Congress in 2006 about the reasons for tractor trailer wrecks. In those cases where the action or inaction of the driver commercial truck is the cause of the collision, driving too fast for conditi

By Richard Shapiro

/ 28 Jun 2007

Seatbelts Reduce Death and Serious Injury in Car Crashes

In May, 2007, another annual click it or ticket campaign occurred. The Virginia click it or ticket program is trying to improve statewide safety belt compliance which is currently 78.6%. The goal for Virginia (VA) is to get the rate of people wearing their seatbelts up to 82%. North Carolina (NC) ha

By Richard Shapiro

/ 27 Jun 2007

How to Win a Slip and Fall Case in Virginia (VA)

A personal injury lawsuit in Virginia (VA) has two parts: liability and damages. Damages are the result of the bodily injury to the person who is hurt, such as a broken bone and the lost wages and…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 26 Jun 2007

Surprising numbers in medical malpractice claims

As a personal injury lawyer at a law firm which handles plaintiff’s side, medical malpractice cases, I find the following reported numbers startling: 1. The majority of medical malpractice claims close without payment to the injured person.2. Only 2% of medical malpractice victims make a claim.3. 80

By Richard Shapiro

/ 25 Jun 2007

Head restraint systems in some minivans perform poorly

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently looked at 6 different minivans and found that those in the Ford 2006 Nissan Quest, the 2005-2006 Toyota Siena and the 2004-2006 Mazda MPV among others failed to give efficient head support in the event of a whip lash injury. The test measured the e

By Richard Shapiro

/ 22 Jun 2007

Jury Selection Key to Success in Serious Personal Injury Cases

Before any serious personal injury case, whether it be an automobile personal injury case, a medical negligence personal injury case, or a products liability personal injury case, a process occurs…

By Jim Lewis

/ 21 Jun 2007

Boating fatalities and alcohol

Boating in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC) waters is serious fun. Boating collisions often occur because boat operators are not paying sufficient attention in keeping a good look out for other boats. Like automobile accidents, boating wrecks typically occur because of operator error. There are

By Richard Shapiro

/ 19 Jun 2007

What Is Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death claim is made by a family whose loved one has been killed by the negligence or intentional act of another person or company. It is very similar to a personal injury claim, but instead of the harm being a bodily injury, the harm is death. The main difference between a personal injury

By Richard Shapiro

/ 15 Jun 2007

Accidental Falls-A Major Risk in Nursing Homes

According to a published report in the Washington Times on November 17, 2006, the leading cause of injury deaths for people over 65 is a fall. In 2003, over 13,000 seniors died from falling according to a study by the United States Centers for Disease Control. Older men are more likely than older wo

By Richard Shapiro

/ 14 Jun 2007

Virginians can't sue bar over drunk driver

There is a law in Virginia (VA) called the Dram Shop Law that provides immunity to bar owners and other commercial establishments who serve alcohol to a patron who ends up harming someone on the road as a drunk driver. The same immunity protects individuals who throw parties in their homes even when

By Richard Shapiro

/ 13 Jun 2007

Hampton Roads, Virginia (VA) is one region regarding injury law

For some folks in Tidewater, Virginia (VA) it is a matter of pride that they are from Portsmouth, Virginia (VA) v. Newport News, Virginia (VA), v. Smithfield, Virginia (VA). When it comes to car wreck cases though, it makes no difference whether your injury lawyer works in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, o

By Richard Shapiro

/ 11 Jun 2007