Firm Profile

Header Image for Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn, P.C.
Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn, P.C.
http://www.hsinjurylaw.com
Best Law Firms Badge
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
United States
(757) 460.7776

Firm Details

Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn is dedicated to representing injured victims who had their lives turned upside down because of the carelessness and fault of others. We have represented victims involved in on-the-job railroad accident, car accidents, truck wrecks, motorcycle accidents, faulty product injuries, medical malpractice and related wrongful death claims. 

In October of 2000, our Virginia injury law firm, and co-counsel, obtained a record verdict for a brain injured victim in Virginia (60 million dollars, including interest). In January of 2012, the firm obtained a 21 Million Dollar structured settlement for a brain injured child who sustained her injury in a tractor trailer accident. 

Due to our success in the court room, our law firm was the first plaintiff's injury firm in Virginia selected for membership in a prestigious international group of law firms, called Primerus. Primerus carefully screens law firms and only offers membership to highly skilled and experienced attorneys. The Wall Street Journal reported "[Primerus] wants to offer consumers a way to pick the good from the bad by establishing a sort of 'Good Housekeeping' seal of approval for attorneys."

Our Virginia injury law firm has the highest available "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell lawyer rating service. In addition, lawyers with our firm have been designated Virginia "Super Lawyers" (since 2010). 

There are a small number of injury law firms that have actually been involved in car, truck, and motorcycle injury litigation in nearly every state along the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S.A. We are part of that small number of highly experienced firm. For example, the firm has handled cases in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Washington D.C., South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Maryland, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and beyond.

Our attorneys not only actively handle injury trials, but are active in national lawyer's organizations, such as the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and several other national and state organizations, which are a vital source of legal networking information for injury lawyers. The firm's main office is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. However, we also have offices in Hampton, Virginia and Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Our lawyers are licensed in VA, NC, SC, WV, FL, DC, & KY.



Management

Awards

  • In 2001, one of the firm's attorneys (along with co-counsel) obtained a record-setting $46 million jury verdict in Manassas, Virginia Circuit Court against Norfolk Southern in a railroad derailment, brain injury to plaintiff case.

  • In 2010, Rick Shapiro and co-counsel obtained an $8.6 million verdict in a Tennessee state court. A new trial on damages was ordered during 2015. The case was settled for a confidential sum.
  • In 2012, firm attorney Randy Appleton negotiated a tractor trailer claim involving brain injury to a young girl that resulted in a $21 million annuity payout settlement, with a 5.5 M present value settlement.
  • In 2015, firm attorney Rick Shapiro and co-counsel obtained a $2.5 million verdict in Norfolk Federal Court for a wrongful death claim of a man who burned to death while using a ride-on lawnmower. The verdict was affirmed on appeal.
  • Virginia "Super Lawyers"

About Our Clients

Below are testimonials provided by some of our clients. To view more client feedback, take a look at this page on our firm's site. 

"Our worst nightmare evolved when my father began having chest pains....Finally, the surgeon told us he had mesothelioma, a mean cruel cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.  They also told us there were no survivors of this type of cancer.... My father had worked on the Railroad for over 36 years...I then asked a friend of mine if this was his father, what attorney would he use and he immediately said Rick Shapiro.  He called Rick on his cell phone and explained our situation and handed me the phone.  That connection to the law firm of Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton began a relationship of trust and a sense of confidence that we had not experienced before. Over the life of the case, which extended almost 5 years, Rick visited our home; he wanted to develop a personal relationship with the family so he could better understand our needs and where our strengths were.  His continued drive and positive attitude kept us from ever getting to the point where we just gave up and decided to take whatever deal the railroad laid on the table.  Never did I send an email or left a message in Rick's office that we did not get a speedy answer.  The courtesy he extended to our family was unmatched by anyone in his profession."
-Name Omitted for Privacy

"I was injured in a car accident and needed legal representation. My stepfather recommended the Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton law firm and I am so glad he did. I met with attorney Randy Appleton and he was a professional throughout the process. My phone calls were returned promptly and Randy was always proactive about my case. Everyone at the firm, including Randy's legal assistant Becky, were so helpful.I truly appreciate the quality of legal representation I received from this firm. I would recommend them to friends and family who are in need of representation in their time of need after an accident."
-Sheree

"Emily and Jim worked tirelessly on my case. There were many difficulties with my case because the defendant driver could not be found.  Despite those issues, Emily and Jim were able to settle my case for $225k. I would highly recommend family and friends to Emily or Jim." 
Jane S.


"I worked with both Randy Appleton and Emily Brannon in my case. They were both very helpful. Emily was quick to respond to any and all questions that I had throughout my case. She stayed on top of things to get my case settled."
-Stacey M.

Contacts

Rich Shapiro
CFO
757-460-7776

  • Recognized Since:
  • Recognized in:
  • Law School:
  • Lawyer Page:
  • Website:
  • Phone:
  • E-mail:
  • ,

Recognized Since:
Recognized in:
Law School:
Lawyer Page:
Website:
Phone:
E-mail:
,
Lawyer of the Year: ()
Recognized Since:
Location:
,
Recognized in:

Firm Practice Areas

  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
  • Railroad Law

Firm News & Media

Featured Publications

Cover for our Best Law Firms publication

Videos