Leesburg - 105 Loudoun Street SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 Midlothian - 13303 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 23113 Hopewell - 222 N. Main Street, Suite 300, Hopewell, VA 23860 Winchester - 14 S Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601
Burnett & Williams - Experienced Brain Injury Lawyers in Richmond Virginia
What is my role as a client in a personal injury case?
(video interview transcript)
Client participation is an absolutely essential ingredient of any successful personal injury claim. And when I say client participation that doesn't mean we expect them to be doing most of the work. We understand what our role is as lawyers and advocates. But, with a bare accident report and a stack of medical records, that case isn't a whole lot more than a claim number. What's important to us is to understand the nuances and the impact of the particular injury our client has suffered. There are just so many different factors that play into the way a jury, or a mediator, or an arbitrator, and initially certainly the adjuster, perceives a particular claim that it's extremely important that all those details are filled in. One thing you can be certain of is if they have a stack of medical bills and an accident report, and nothing more, they are going to go to the low side of any offer and they aren't really going to have a full appreciation of the impact of the client's injuries.
What folks need to remember, and we tell our client's this all the time, is even though a case is about 90% likely to be resolved, the measuring stick for both the plaintiff's side of the case, the claimant's side of the case, and the insurance companies side of the case, is what a jury would do with a case if it should go to a jury trial. In the end, if you can't get along and you can't find a way to settle a case, you're going to trial. So, the measuring stick is always ultimately: how will this case present to a jury? So, things that folks might not think about - whether or not a particular claimant has any kind of a criminal record; whether or not they come across as honest or dishonest in the way they speak; unfortunately whether or not they are articulate or have a thick accent; how their appearance is. All these things are very important in evaluating how a jury is going to respond to someone. Juries, as is common sense, but we sometimes forget that we're more inclined to be generous with people that we like and who we perceive have been sincere and honest with us about the loss they've suffered than we are to be with someone who appears to be exaggerating, or who worse yet appears to be not forthright and honest with us. We're not going to be inclined to help that person as much as someone who is really telling it straight. We work very hard to find each individual's real story, and that goes a lot further than trying to puff up a case, because almost always that puffed up piece comes back to haunt you.
Specialization and Experience work for you
Burnett & Williams was founded as the result of personal injury law becoming increasingly complex and in a time when general practitioners were finding it increasingly difficult to provide quality representation to personal injury clients. To overcome these challenges, Peter Burnett limited his general law practice of 10 years to personal injury cases and started Burnett & Williams in 1988.
How the Process Works
One of the most common questions we hear from people interested in pursuing a personal injury case is, “So, how does this whole process work?” Most people are not familiar with how legal claims work, either because they have never been involved in a legal case before or simply because the process and procedure of the law is complicated, to say the least.
We understand that it is important for you to know what to expect when you decide to pursue a personal injury case. Although no two cases are the same, we have outlined a typical case process to guide you through a typical case. We want you to understand what is happening every step of the way.
If You've Been Injured
Choosing a lawyer can be time consuming, stressful, and confusing. If you've been injured, you need compassionate, experienced legal asistance. The attorneys at Burnett & Williams have extensive experience in all types of personal injury law. Contact us for more information and a free consultation. Having difficulty traveling? We will be happy to visit you at home or meet with you in a location that is convenient for you.
Serving : Richmond VA, Midlothian, Hopewell, Petersburg and Colonial Heights
Injury Law News
Personal Injury Law News
Florida Woman Denied Insurance Coverage For Removal of Ruptured Breast Implant Atlantis, FL—A mother of six who suffers from pain associated with a breast augmentation gone wrong says her insurance company would not cover the cost of implant removal surgery. Ada Serrano works at Subway and makes $7.50 an hour, leaving her unable to afford the much-needed procedure on her own, as reported by WPTV. If [...]
Iraq Veterans Suffer Traumatic Brain Injury With the end of combat operations in Iraq, the need for public attention to traumatic brain injuries will increase. The constant injuries coming out of the war zone may subside but the care and funding these soldiers need will go on for the rest of their lives. What is Traumatic Brain Injury? Traumatic brain injury [...]
Botox Maker to Pay $600 Million to Resolve Allegations of Off-Label Promotions American pharmaceutical manufacturer Allergan Inc. has agreed to plead guilty and pay $600 million to resolve its criminal and civil liability arising from the company’s unlawful promotion of its biological product, Botox® Therapeutic, for uses not approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Justice Department announced today. The resolution [...]
Truck Driver Narrowly Avoids Major Train Collision A midday collision between a southbound Norfolk Southern freight train and Conway Freight tractor trailer closed Main Street for two hours on Wednesday. There were no reported injuries and Main Street was reopened at approximately 2:30pm EST. Once the train had finally stopped and the truck driver had an opportunity to assess the location of [...]
Study Finds Annual Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes Exceeds $99 Billion In a one-year period, the cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $99 billion – with the cost of direct medical care accounting for $17 billion, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The total annual cost amounts to nearly $500 for [...]
Lawyer Who Wore Wire to Build Case Against Claimed Client: ‘I Had to Do It’ Was attorney Terry Haddock acting as Shannon Williams’ lawyer during six months of jail visits in 2009? Or was Haddock, at least as Williams saw it, either representing him or exploiting his attorney status to help his claimed client run a marijuana ring?That appears to be the central issue in a federal court hearing in [...]
Liberty University School of Law Awarded Full Accreditation Liberty University School of Law was awarded full accreditation approval by the American Bar Association during its annual meeting in San Francisco. On August 5, the ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar granted full approval to the law school. The Council is recognized as the accrediting agency of [...]
Husqvarna Professional Products Recalls Riding Lawn Tractors Husqvarna Professional Products Recalls Riding Lawn Tractors Due to Fire Hazard The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: Husqvarna Riding [...]
Baja Motorsports Recalls Mini Bikes and Go-Carts Due to Fire and Burn Hazards The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: Baja Motorsports Mini Bikes and Go-Carts [...]
ATVs Recalled by Suzuki Due to Loss of Control Hazard The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Name of Product: Suzuki QuadSport ATVs Units: About 1,355 Distributors: American Suzuki Motor Corp., of Brea, [...]
Richmond News
Local News - Winchester, Loudoun, and Fairfax » Richmond News
Virginians Warned to Prepare for Hurricane Earl Virginians need to prepare now for Hurricane Earl, which is forecasted to be a Category 3 or 4 hurricane as it approaches Virginia’s coast later this week.
The forecasted path for Earl has changed several times so it is important for Virginians, especially those living in the Hampton Roads region, to pay close attention to the storm. Those in Hampton Roads should review their evacuation and shelter plans. Also, people should make sure they have their emergency supplies ready.
“A small change in Earl’s forecasted path could bring a major hurricane to ...
Richmond Traffic Stop Leads to Major Drug Bust On Thursday, Aug. 19, Special Investigations detectives conducted a traffic stop on a known drug target, James A. Thomas, in the 3900 block of Hull Street.
As they approached Thomas’ car, detectives saw narcotics in plain view. After arresting him, they found the below items inside the vehicle:
one stolen handgun;
one ounce of marijuana;
75 Ecstasy pills;
30 Oxycodone pills;
two grams of heroin; and,
*$600 in cash.
James A. Thomas, 32, of the 5500 block of Handel Court in Chesterfield, has been charged with multiple drug offenses. His wife, LaTanya D. Thomas, 34, of the same ...
Richmond Police Seek SunTrust Bank Robbery Suspect Richmond Police need the public’s help in identifying the man pictured at right who robbed the SunTrust Bank at 1101 Azalea Avenue Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 3:15 p.m. today, a man walked into the bank and slipped the teller a note demanding money. He did not display a weapon, and was last seen walking west on Azalea Avenue.
The robber is described as a dark-skinned black male with a thin goatee, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall and weighing about 210 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, faded blue jeans, ...
Tattoos & Facial Imaging May Help ID 2008 Homicide Victim RICHMOND – The man was between 35 and 50 years old. He had long, brown hair and weighed approximately 180 pounds at a height of five feet seven inches. He was wearing Levi Straus blue jeans with a black, long-sleeve sweatshirt and a t-shirt with a picture of Mickey Mouse hang gliding. He had seven distinctive tattoos, including the phrase, “I love you Kelsey always.” And, yet, no one has come forward to claim or report the man missing since his body was spotted by two fisherman in Prince Edward ...
Three Killed & Four Injured at Louisa County Shootings Virginia State Police and Louisa County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting incident that has claimed three lives and left four others injured in Louisa County. The shooting suspect is among the dead. The motive for the initial shootings is domestic in nature and stems from an ongoing dispute among family members over property rights.
At approximately 2 p.m., the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a domestic dispute at a residence in the 100 block of Twigg Drive in the Louisa County community of Trevilians. Two deputy sheriffs ...
Midlothian Convenience Store Owner Sentenced for Tax Fraud Mohammad Asif Ali, age 47, of Midlothian, Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months in prison today for failing to report $400,829 of income and $107, 489 of tax on his personal tax returns from 2003 to 2007.
Neil MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Rebecca A. Sparkman, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, announced today’s sentencing by United States District Henry Hudson.
Ali owned, operated, and controlled ...
Police Seek Suspect in Willow Lawn Wachovia Robbery Richmond Police is looking for the man responsible for this morning’s robbery at the Willow Lawn Wachovia bank, 4901 W. Broad St.
At 10:36 a.m., a man entered the bank and demanded money from two bank tellers. He did not display a weapon.
The suspect is a black male, age 35 to 40, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build. He was wearing sunglasses, a black baseball cap, a polo shirt with multicolored horizontal stripes and dark pants.
Anyone with information about the suspect in this ...
Traffic Enforcement Focuses on “Back to School” on I-64 & I-66 With hundreds of new and returning college students taking to Virginia’s highways this weekend, Virginia State Police will be increasing patrols along Interstate 64 and Interstate 66 to ensure traffic moves safely. The two-day initiative is part of state police’s continuing traffic-safety program called Operation Air, Land and Speed.
“This weekend was specifically selected for an enforcement operation because of the significant increase in traffic associated with students heading off to college in and out of state,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Hopefully parents will have one ...
Trinity Packaging to Expanded Rocky Mount Plant RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Trinity Packaging Corporation will make a multi-million dollar investment to expand capacity at its operation in the town of Rocky Mount in Franklin County. The project will create 25 new jobs and save 75 jobs. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin for the project.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “Trinity Packaging Corporation is thriving in Rocky Mount due to the excellent workforce and solid infrastructure that meet their needs. ...
Virginia Wins Award for Marketing Wine Tourism The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) won the ESTO Mercury Award for Niche Marketing for wine tourism promotion. Virginia took home top honors for “Vintage Tweets”
Burnett & Williams is proud to serve residents of Richmond VA, Hopewell VA, Midlothian VA and Chesterfield VA
Brain Injury
BrainTraumatic brain injury (TBI), also called acquired brain injury or simply head injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a brain injury may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Other symptoms include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking. The effects of brain injury are devastating to your health and livelihood. If you suspect you may be the victim of brain injury we encourage you to seek immediate medical attention and do not hesitate to seek legal counsel when dealing with insurance issues.
Do I really need a lawyer?
We receive hundreds of personal injury inquiries every year. We carefully review the facts of each potential claim and often suggest that the services of our firm are not warranted, usually because there is no case or the claimant would do better by not hiring a lawyer.
We are not helping ourselves or you by taking a meritless case. While it may be true that you were harmed by someone's action, being right is not enough. You have to be able to prove your case and if we think that is impossible or unlikely, we are going to tell you so. We stake our reputation on our integrity - we are going to tell you the truth even when it is not what you want to hear. We are not in the business of filing frivolous lawsuits. If you come to our office, you are obviously injured enough; we won't inflict further injury by leading you to believe you have a case if you don't.
In cases with relatively minor injuries, insurance companies make computer-generated, take-it-or-leave-it offers, secure in the knowledge that juries have little sympathy for claimants with minor injuries. Claimants in this type of case often net more money without hiring a lawyer. In these kinds of cases, we frequently educate the claimant about sources of coverage and how to present their claim. We call it "coaching" and we do it for FREE. If these claimants or their friends are later involved in serious injury cases, they call us because they have learned first hand that they can trust us with their case
You don't always need a lawyer. At Burnett & Williams, we will give you the information you need to decide whether to hire a lawyer in Richmond Virginia.
How is the lawyer paid?
We are a contingency fee firm, meaning you do not pay legal fees unless you receive money. Our fees are based on a percentage of the amount recovered. You are responsible for the expenses associated with your case such as costs for securing records, experts, depositions, filing fees, and serving subpoenas. Many times, however, we advance these expenses and then deduct them from the award. Costs vary depending on the complexity of the case.For instance, a medical malpractice case usually involves expert testimony and much more examination and retrieval of records than an automobile accident case. We will discuss these matters with you in detail when you come into the office.
How much are these costs, usually?
The total amount of your estimated case expenses is usually based on the complexity and longevity of your case. For a straightforward accident case that is settled without having to file suit, the costs would include fees to obtain medical records, a copy of the accident report, postage, long distance calls, and copies. We will consult with you prior to advancing any substantial costs, such as filing suit and retaining an expert witness.
How much is my case worth?
As you probably know, every case that comes through our door is different. Factors that influence the value of a case include the facts of the accident and the liability of the other driver, the extent of your injuries, and the medical treatment you have received and will have to receive in the future for those injuries. It takes time to determine the value of your case, as there are many unknowns at the beginning, such as the extent and cost of the treatment you need. As your case progresses, we will be better able todiscuss with you what your case is worth.
Age related outcome in acute subdural haematoma following traumatic head injury.
Hanif S, Abodunde O, Ali Z, Pidgeon C.
Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Dublin 9. shahidhanif786@hotmail.com
Acute subdural haematoma (ASDH) is one of the conditions most strongly associated with severe brain injury. Reports prior to 1980 describe overall mortality rates for acute subdural haematomas (SDH's) ranging from 40% to 90% with poor outcomes observed in all age groups. Recently, improved results have been reported with rapid diagnosis and surgical treatment. The elderly are predisposed to bleeding due to normal cerebral atrophy related to aging, stretching the bridging veins from the dura. Prognosis in ASDH is associated with age, time from injury to treatment, presence of pupillary abnormalities, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) or motor score on admission, immediate coma or lucid interval, computerized tomography findings (haematoma volume, degree of midline shift, associated intradural lesion, compression of basal cisterns), post-operative intracranial pressure and type of surgery. Advancing age is known to be a determinant of outcome in head injury. We present the results of a retrospective study carried out in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland's national neurosurgical centre. The aim of our study was to examine the impact of age on outcome in patients with ASDH following severe head injury. Only cases with acute subdural haematoma requiring surgical evacuation were recruited. Mortality was significantly higher in older patients (50% above 70 years, 25.6% between 40 and 70 years and 26% below 40 years). Overall poor outcome (defined as Glasgow outcome scores 3-5) was also higher in older patients; 74.1% above 70 years, 48% between 40 and 70 years and 30% below 40 years. Poor outcome in traumatic acute subdural haematoma is higher in elderly patients even after surgical intervention.
Does gender influence cognitive outcome after traumatic brain injury?
Moore DW, Ashman TA, Cantor JB, Krinick RJ, Spielman LA.
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA.
The aim of this study was to determine whether males and females differ in post-acute cognitive outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Performances of 83 men and 75 women with mild to severe TBI were compared on measures of cognitive functions typically impacted by TBI (i.e., processing speed, executive functioning, and memory). Participants completed selected subtests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Among the participants with mild TBI, women scored significantly higher than men on a test of visual memory. There were no other significant gender differences in cognitive outcomes. These findings overall suggest that cognitive outcome after TBI does not differ according to gender, with the possible exception of memory functioning. Further research is needed to replicate this finding and determine which moderating variables may impact on the relationship between gender and cognitive outcome after TBI.
PMID: 19859853 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] source
Burnett & Williams is proud to provide Personal Injury Legal Services in Richmond VA, Hopewell VA, Midlothian VA and Chesterfield VA
