10/17/12 Update:  Virginia public health officials announced today that another victim has died, bringing the total number of deaths from fungal meningitis in the state to two.  Thirty-seven Virginia residents have been diagnosed with fungal meningitis.

As of October 17, 2012, 247 people nationwide have been diagnosed with fungal meningitis and 19 have died.

The FDA has identified the drugs believed to be responsible for the outbreak.  The vast majority of the reported cases can be traced to epidural steroid injections of methylprednisolone acetate mixed by the NECC.  However, the FDA has announced it is investigating whether two individuals who have been diagnosed with fungal meningitis may have…

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Author: P. Christopher Guedri, Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer

There were over 1700 pedestrian accidents in the state of Virginia in 2011. When a pedestrian is hit by a car, life threatening injuries or death often occur because the victim doesn't have the protection of being inside a vehicle with air bags or seat belts. In many of these cases, the pedestrian accidents could have been prevented if the drivers had followed some simple safety rules.

Pedestrian accidents can be caused by a wide variety of circumstances. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include driver distractions such as talking on a cell phone, aggressive driving such as speeding, drivers who are drinking impaired,…

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Author:  Scott D. Fitzgerald, Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer

Public health officials have linked the recent outbreak of fungal meningitis to contaminated epidural steroid injections, commonly intended to alleviate back pain.  As of October 11, 2012, 170 people nationwide have contracted fungal meningitis and 14 have died.  The contaminated steroid shots were mixed by a compounding pharmacy in suburban Boston, Massachusetts and distributed to approximately 75 facilities in at least 23 states.  The pharmacy issued an emergency recall on September 26, 2012, but not before an estimated 14,000 patients nationwide received potentially contaminated injections.

It is not clear how many people who received…

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Author: Kathleen Smith (Llewellyn-Duncan), Fredericksburg VA Accident Lawyer

Sometimes my personal injury clients ask if they have a right to appeal if they don't like the result at trial.  In Virginia, the answer depends where the case was originally filed and tried.[1]  If the case was tried in General District Court, and you are not satisfied with the verdict, you have an automatic right to appeal your case to the Circuit Court, but you must give the court written notice of your intent to appeal within 10 days of the judgment (usually the date the case was tried).[2]  You may also have to post what is called an appeal bond.  Your case will then be heard in Circuit Court, and you may request a jury trial.

If…

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September 12, 2012 - The personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is proud to announce that Malcolm P. "Mic" McConnell, III has been named Best Lawyers' 2013 Richmond Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year. The honor is an indication of the high level of respect Mic McConnell has earned among other leading lawyers in the Medical Malpractice community for his abilities, professionalism and integrity.

Best Lawyers® began designating "Lawyers of the Year" in high-profile legal practice areas in 2009. The honor is significant because only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the "Lawyer of the Year." The winners are selected based…

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Virginia's DUI laws get tougher with the introduction of the Ignition Interlock Device MANDATORY for all that are convicted of driving under the influence

Author: Paul D. Hux, Personal Injury Lawyer

On July 1, 2012, a new law went into effect in the Commonwealth prohibiting all drivers convicted of first time offense of driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances (DUI) from operating any motor vehicle that does not have  a certified Ignition Interlock Device (IID).[1]  This restriction is mandatory for a period of at least six months and the driver must have no alcohol violations during that period.  Prior to July, 1, 2012, the law required these IIDs be imposed only on first time offenders…

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Kathleen is a Fredericksburg, VA car accident lawyer. She additionally handles many types of personal injury cases including truck accidents and pedestrian accidents in Fredericksburg, Garrisonville, Stafford County and the surrounding areas. Kathleen also serves as an adjunct professor at Strayer University where she is helping to design the curriculum for the Criminal Justice degree. She is a member of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association and the Fredericksburg Bar Association. To learn more about Kathleen, visit: http://www.allenandallen.com/kathleen-smith.html

Video: http://youtu.be/MmnmXiNBDmE

Video Transcript: I am Kathleen Llewellyn-Duncan. I am a trial attorney with Allen & Allen, in the Fredricksburg…

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Mic McConnell is the lead medical malpractice lawyer for the Allen Law Firm's Medical Malpractice Team. With over 20 years of experience, he is a strong advocate for his clients and their families. Mic's successful litigation of cases in a wide variety of medical malpractice specialties has earned him a listing in Best Lawyers in America and Virginia Super Lawyers. He is certified in medical malpractice law by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys and frequently lectures to attorney associations across the United States on effective trial tactics. To learn more about Mic, visit: http://www.allenandallen.com/malcolm-p-mcconnell.html

Video: http://youtu.be/nj4JJ4C8lQc

Video Transcript: I am Mic…

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Author: Charles L. Allen, Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer

In Virginia, a  person cannot force an insurance company pay a settlement for their personal injury claim. Instead, the only right an injured person has is a trial to seek a judgment on their behalf against the party that caused the injury.[1] Two different state courts typically decide my clients cases; either General District Court or Circuit Court.  Let me describe some of the differences between these two courts.   General District Court's jurisdiction is limited to an amount that does not exceed $25,000.  In other words, the Court can award any amount from nothing at all up to $25,000. [2] Also, the amount of the award is decided by a judge,…

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Author: David M. Williams, Jr., Fredericksburg Personal Injury Attorney

Two bills giving Virginians the green light to use deadly force against intruders into their homes died in the 2012 General Assembly session.

The "Castle doctrine" originated from old English common law rules protecting a person's home and the principle underlying the phrase "a person's home is their castle". The doctrine allows the use of physical force, including deadly force, by a person in his/her home against an intruder who has committed an overt act against him/her or against someone else lawfully in the home. Many states have laws that are based on the Castle Doctrine.[1] One of the Virginia bills would have protected…

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