All Topics

• $1.2 Million Verdict in Hampton, Virginia

  Ben Glass | March 20, 2006 5:26 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  In this case two defendant drivers blamed each other for an accident that caused injuries to the innocent plaintiff. The victim suffered a broken arm and complex regional pain syndrome. The case was tried in Hampton Circuit Court and the highest offer from the insurance company was $50,000.This case reflects the fact that you need a lawyer who is prepared to do battle in court. Some lawyers...

• One More Way to "Lose" a Malpractice Case

  Ben Glass | March 14, 2006 1:30 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  Malpractice cases must be virtually "perfect" in Virginia to win. Now here's another way to "lose" one. Have the large, 45 doctor specialty practice buy insurance from a company that was not licensed in Virginia and is now out of business. At least that's the story out of Hampton Roads, Virginia, today. The Virginia Pilot exposed this travesty today. Now, you might think that Virginia law would...

• Beware that "Chat" With a Lawyer

  Ben Glass | March 06, 2006 4:07 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The Florida Supreme Court has now barred lawyers from "soliciting" personal injury (and other, we suppose) cases using Internet "chatrooms." Defining "solicitation" as including contact by email or telephone the court said that attorney participation in chatrooms constitutes "impermissable solicitation." The article appeared in the Jacksonville, Florida "Daily Record". When read closely it...

• Hire Me--I'm The "Heavy Hitter"

  Ben Glass | March 05, 2006 1:25 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  Do consumers really hire a lawyer who advertises his personal injury practice with whirrling tornados and sound of cash "ringing."I find it hard to believe that consumers respond to that style of marketing but I guess "different strokes for different folks." Maybe consumers just don't know the difference.That's why I wrote "The Truth About Lawyer Advertising" for consumers and have started Great...

• Electricity, Gas, Explosions--Special Rules Apply to Extremely Dangerous Activities

  Rick Shapiro | March 05, 2006 10:09 AM | 0 CommentsVirginia Beach, Chesapeake & Suffolk, VA

  Virginia follows some special tort rules when it comes to blasting, electricity, explosives and gas. Any person who is involved with explosive products or blasting activities must use use a high degree of care, corresponding to the dangers involved, to prevent injury to others. If this is violated, there is "strict liability" on the person or company involved with the explosives. The law...

• Injury Arising From Railroad Activities

  Rick Shapiro | March 03, 2006 9:56 AM | 0 CommentsVirginia Beach, Chesapeake & Suffolk, VA

  There are several categories of railroad injury related cases. First, a federal law, the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA), gives rail workers the right to sue their railroad employer directly for injuries suffered on the job--this law trumps workers compensation entirely. Accidents and serious injuries do happen, and many are caused by the fault or negligence of a railroad in ways that...

• Pediatric Patients Beware

  Ben Glass | February 27, 2006 5:00 AM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  Studies published last week by the Journal of the American Medical Association reveal the shocking disclosure that most hospitals and health plans don't require board certification by those wishing to hold themselves out to the public as "pediatricians." In the article about hospitals 78 percent of hospitals did not require doctors to be board certified as pediatricians before they were given...

• Lots of Ads for Medicare

  Staff Writer | February 23, 2006 5:30 PM | 0 CommentsRichmond, VA

  I keep seeing the ads that tell senior citizens about making proper choices about their medicare and prescription benefits. I wondered who was paying for these ads. I guess it should come as no surprise that the Bush Administration, using tax dollars, has funded these political ads to tout the medicare bill.Since these ads were being paid for by taxpayers, who made the ads and what agency was...

• Your Health Insurance May Only be a Glorified Loan

  Ben Glass | February 20, 2006 5:12 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  Most people believe that if they are in an accident their health insurance will pay the bill, acting as an insurer. In most cases, however, the health insurance company is only loaning you the money, to be repaid if you recover that money in an lawsuit. So, for example, you are in a car accident and incur $25,000 of bills. Your health insurance company pays. You later recover $100,000 for your...

• West Virginia Crack Down On Lawyer Ads

  Ben Glass | February 20, 2006 1:54 PM | 0 CommentsNorthern Virginia, VA

  The West Virginia legislature is considering a bill to crack down on lawyer advertising. Apparently some folks don't like those ads that show fistfulls of dollars! (Neither do I). I happen to think it's a good idea and bona fide personal injury lawyers in West Virginia (or anywhere else where ads are toned down) have nothing to worry about. Kevin O'Keefe had a comment about this in his blog....