Legal

The law affects every part of daily life. Our legal section offers clear, practical explanations of new laws, court rulings, and local and national legal developments. Whether you’re following a major lawsuit or seeking to understand how a new law impacts you, this section keeps readers informed about what’s happening in Virginia’s courts and legislature.

The Importance of Persistence in Product Defect Wrongful Death Cases

I’ve been a Virginia trial attorney for 30 years now and I continue to be surprised at how unpredictable plaintiff’s personal injury law can be. I recently concluded a Virginia product defect wrongful death case involving a Chesapeake resident who burned alive on a Ryobi…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 18 Jan 2017

Guide to North Carolina Personal Injury Law

My colleague Rick Shapiro put together an in-depth summary of North Carolina personal injury and wrongful death laws. This guide is intended to assist both prospective clients and attorneys unfamiliar with North Carolina tort law by providing answers to important legal questions. Read the In-Depth…

By Randy Appleton

/ 6 Jan 2017

Young Woman Killed in Horrific Head-On Collision

A head-on collision in Mint Spring, Virginia killed one driver on Route 11 at Stagecoach Road in Mint Spring, Virginia killed one driver and has left the other driver with “life-threatening” injuries. According to Virginia State Police, at approximately 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, a 2006…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 12 Oct 2016

Study Reveals Major Spike in Number of Young Concussion Victims

According to a study conducted by the independent, nonprofit organization Fair Health, the number of concussion diagnoses in children and teens under the age of 22 increased by an incredible 500 percent between the year of 2010 through 2014. National statistics reveal that between one…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 16 Sep 2016

Death of 10-Year-Old Boy at Kansas Water Park Renews Debate over Lack of Federal Safety Oversight

The recent death of a 10-year-old boy at a Kansas water park has reignited concerns over the lack of government oversight by any federal agency. The young victim, who was the son of a Kansas state senator, was at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 9 Aug 2016

Health Update 2016: African American Ovarian Cancers Due to Talc Baby Powder Use

In the last few months, numerous reports have surfaced about the health and safety risks associated with baby powders containing talc, particularly the risk of women developing ovarian cancer. On May 12, 2016, a major study impacting African American women who used talc baby powder…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 30 Jun 2016

Music Icon Prince Overdosed on Deadly Painkiller Fentanyl

Fentanyl strikes again. The incredibly powerful painkiller reportedly took the life of music icon Prince. A medical examiner’s report revealed Prince accidentally overdosed on the prescription drug resulting in the death of the megastar. When Prince took the deadly dose of fentanyl remains “unknown

By Richard Shapiro

/ 3 Jun 2016

New Report: Medical Errors Third Leading Cause of Death in U.S.

A new report has determined that “medical errors” which occur in hospitals, as well as other health care facilities, have become the third leading cause of death in this country. More than a quarter of a million people die every year from preventable mistakes by…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 9 May 2016

Why Attempting to Negotiate with an Insurance Company Without a Lawyer is a Mistake

Mantra of auto insurance claims adjusters and defense attorneys – Delay. Deny. Defend. Simply put, an auto insurance company’s main objective is not compensating you, even if you have documented injuries stemming from a car wreck. In fact, many auto insurance companies often try to…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 31 Mar 2016

Hide and Seek – FRA Considering Rules That Would Allow Railroads to Hide Safety Lapse Evidence

In years past, railroads have been caught, on numerous occasions, trying to hide evidence of safety lapses in court. As such, the American Association for Justice (AAJ) is requesting the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) abandon a proposal that would give railroads legal cover to hide…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 29 Feb 2016

Legal

The Importance of Persistence in Product Defect Wrongful Death Cases

Guide to North Carolina Personal Injury Law

Top 10 Civil Justice Stories of 2016, Part Two

Top 10 Civil Justice Stories of 2016, Part One

Young Woman Killed in Horrific Head-On Collision

Study Reveals Major Spike in Number of Young Concussion Victims

Death of 10-Year-Old Boy at Kansas Water Park Renews Debate over Lack of Federal Safety Oversight

Health Update 2016: African American Ovarian Cancers Due to Talc Baby Powder Use

Music Icon Prince Overdosed on Deadly Painkiller Fentanyl

New Report: Medical Errors Third Leading Cause of Death in U.S.

Why Attempting to Negotiate with an Insurance Company Without a Lawyer is a Mistake

Hide and Seek – FRA Considering Rules That Would Allow Railroads to Hide Safety Lapse Evidence