Legal

This section highlights updates on Virginia laws, important court rulings, and consumer protection issues. We also analyze how state and local legal developments impact individuals and families. From new legislation to high-profile cases, our goal is to keep readers aware of how the legal system shapes life across Virginia.

Winning a Personal Injury Lawsuit Is Often Not the End of the Battle

Accidents happen all the time that are often another party’s fault, and you have the right to go to court to sue for your medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages. Even if you do win, what you end up with at the end…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 10 May 2016

Third Death at Virginia Goodyear Plant This Year

The Goodyear plant in Danville VA has just experienced its third fatal accident on site in the last eight months, and that prompted the plant to be shut down for several days this week as OSHA investigates. The most recent death was that of Greg…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 28 Apr 2016

Washington DC Metro System Plagued with Problems

Anyone who lives in the Washington DC area knows that the last few years have not been a good time for Metro. The DC area subway system, started in the mid 1970s and once considered a great public transportation success, is now mired in serious…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 27 Apr 2016

Watch For Holes in Your Umbrella Insurance Policy

Some people purchase a personal “umbrella” insurance policy for, let’s say, $1 million coverage, to ensure they are protected against any type of liability that could jeopardize their financial position if a terrible accident occurs. These broad policies are meant to provide you with peace…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 17 Apr 2016

Injury Caused By OB/GYN Medical Malpractice?

The relationship between a patient and their doctor is predicated on trust. You are putting your health and well-being in their hands. When you suffer a serious harm from your doctor’s carelessness or negligence, you feel violated. This is especially true if you suffer a…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 31 Mar 2016

Why Hiring a Lawyer Specializing in Personal Injury Law is So Important

If you’re having heart issues, you don’t schedule an appointment with a foot doctor. The same logic applies to hiring a lawyer after a serious car accident. If you or a loved one was hurt in the c0llision, you probably shouldn’t call your tax attorney…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 22 Mar 2016

Accident in Bad Winter Weather – Who Is At Fault?

Virginia experienced two feet of snow in early 2016 from Snowstorm Jonas. As a result, most roadways were covered in snow and ice. Some snow-narrowed roads also had patches of black ice, which refers to a thin coating of glazed ice on the surface, presenting…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 29 Feb 2016

Understanding the Federal Employers Liability Act

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) was enacted in 1908 by Congress and still continues to provide a federal system of legal remedy for the protection of thousands of railroad workers and their families, nationwide. FELA also serves as a kind of guideline for railroad…

By Randy Appleton

/ 30 Jan 2016

Preventable Medical Mistakes Drop Under Obamacare

Deadly medical errors at hospitals are down, according to a recent report from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality(AHRQ). Pinpointing the exact reasons for the change or to predict whether the decline will continue, is difficult if not impossible. Over the last year, improvement has…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 31 Dec 2015

What Happens When a City Employee Causes a Crash With Injuries?

Two recent crashes in Tidewater Virginia could not help but raise questions about how insurance claims get settled when the at-fault driver is a government employee. During the morning commute of December 7, 2015, a Norfolk City school bus sideswiped a car while changing lanes…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 17 Dec 2015

How Facebook Can Ruin Your Personal Injury Case

If you were seriously hurt in an auto accident and you are trying to recover financial restitution through a personal injury claim, stay off Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Posting on these platforms will only do your case harm. Why? Because your posts, tweets, and updates…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 7 Dec 2015

What Needs to Be Established for a Defective Product Case in Virginia

If you suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one due to a defective product, you may be able to pursue financial restitution through a defective product liability claim. In determining whether you have a valid claim, it is helpful to be familiar with…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 20 Nov 2015