Navigating Personal Injury Claims for Children
Was your child injured by someone elses negligence?
Don’t wait. Contact the dependable and hardworking legal team at Merrick Brock, PLLC now for a free consultation. We have your childs back and will fight for their rights.
In Virginia, children who suffer personal injuries due to the negligence of others have the right to seek compensation through legal action. However, the process of bringing a claim for personal injuries can be complicated, especially when it comes to minors.
In this post, we will provide a general overview of how to bring a claim by a child for personal injuries in Virginia, and we will discuss the special rules that apply to settlements of a child’s claim.
If you have questions or would like to speak with an expert Richmond personal injury lawyer, please contact us online or call 804-597-6295 today.
How Much Insurance Is Available to Pay For My Injuries?
–By Les Brock–
If you have been injured in an auto accident, there may be several different sources of insurance that is available to pay your claim. In Virginia, the at-fault driver’s insurance is typically responsible for paying for the injuries you sustain in a car accident, up to the policy limits. If you are injured in an accident that was caused by another driver, you may file a claim with that driver’s insurance company to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
Virginia requires that insurance policies provide minimum limits of coverage for injuries sustained in a car accident. The required coverage in Virginia is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage. Starting on January 1, 2025, these amounts go up to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. It’s important to note that these are just the minimum requirements, and the at-fault driver may have higher coverage limits or multiple policies that are available to pay your claim.
Merrick Brock Selected For List of Best Wrongful Death Attorneys in Richmond
Merrick Brock was selected by Expertise.com for its list of the Best Wrongful Death Attorneys in Richmond, Virginia. Merrick Brock was given 5 stars for professionalism and 4.9 stars for reputation.
Expertise.com finds and reviews service professionals in the legal industry across the U.S. to help customers find professionals for their needs. The selection process includes reviewing credentials and accreditations, screening for professionalism, and even posing as a mystery shopper to gauge knowledgeability, friendliness, and professionalism.
To learn more and check out Merrick Brock’s selection, click https://www.expertise.com/va/richmond/wrongful-death-attorney
Merrick Brock Obtains $900,000 Verdict After Four-Day Jury Trial
Attorneys Les Brock and John Merrick obtained a $900,000 verdict in the Prince William County Circuit Court for a client who was injured in a car crash in Northern Virginia. The plaintiff, a 47-year-old auto mechanic, was rear ended while stopped in traffic waiting to make a left turn. There was minor damage to the plaintiff’s rear bumper and the plaintiff reportedly denied any injury at the scene. The plaintiff decided to get checked out at a local hospital where he was diagnosed with minor sprains and strains and released. However, over the next month the pain in his lower back worsened and was radiating down into his legs. An MRI revealed a herniated disc in his lower back (at the L5-S1 intervertebral level), and when steroid injections and physical therapy failed to relieve his symptoms his orthopedic doctor recommended a specific type of lumbar spine fusion known as an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with posterior instrumentation at L5-S1.
During the ALIF procedure, the front of the spine is accessed through the stomach where the herniated disc is removed and the front of the vertebrae are fused together using hardware and screws. Then the patient is turned over and the surgeon accesses the back of the spine where additional hardware is used to fuse the back of the spine as well. This dual approach provides greater stability, but it is a major surgery and the plaintiff was out of work for an extended period of time while he recovered and completed physical therapy.
John Merrick Selected to Virginia Super Lawyers
–By John Merrick —
John Merrick was selected to the list of 2023 Super Lawyers as a top-rated personal injury attorney. This peer designation is awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. The Super Lawyers selection process takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other cogent factors. John has been selected as a Virginia Super Lawyer for four consecutive years and, before that, he was selected as a Rising Star for six consecutive years. There are a lot of "lawyer lists" out there, and we believe Super Lawyers gets it right.
See John’s listing here:
Top Rated Richmond, VA Personal Injury Attorney | John Merrick | Super Lawyers
Les Brock Selected as 2023 Virginia Super Lawyer
Les Brock was selected to the list of 2023 Super Lawyers as a top-rated personal injury attorney. This is the 7th consecutive year Les has been selected as a Virginia Super Lawyer. Les has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as a top-rated attorney in the areas of personal injury, business litigation, construction law, and civil litigation. He was also recognized for three consecutive years as a Rising Star.
Super Lawyers is a peer designation awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. Each year, attorneys are ranked based on the Super Lawyers selection process, which takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other factors. Only attorneys in the top 5% of the selection process overall are named Super Lawyers.
You can view Les’ listing on Super Lawyers by clicking the link below:
Les Brock Obtains $450,000 Settlement for Construction Subcontractor
Les Brock recovered $450,000 for a HVAC subcontractor in a payment dispute with a general contractor over work performed at three large commercial projects in the Richmond area. The general contractor failed to pay the subcontractor for the work, despite the fact that the general contractor had been paid by the project owner. The general contract argued that it was entitled to withhold payment because the HVAC subcontractor did not properly document its work or submit its payment claims in the proper format, and the general contractor also claimed the subcontractor was responsible for water damage caused to other portions of the project. The subcontractor filed a lawsuit in the City of Richmond Circuit Court alleging claims for breach of contract, construction fraud, and quantum meruit. The parties mediated the case and the general contractor agreed to pay $450,000 to settle the case.
Construction disputes are varied and complex. Attorney Les Brock has been recognized in the areas of Construction Litigation and Business Litigation by Virginia Super Lawyers and Virginia Business Legal Elite. Put his construction law experience to work for you. If you have a construction dispute or a payment claim, give us a call.
John Merrick is Vice President of the Lewis F. Powell III Inn of Court
–By John Merrick —
John is proud to serve as the vice-president of the local chapter of the American Inns of Court. The mission of the Inns of Court is to inspire the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education and mentoring. Last week Judge Jayne Pemberton presented the Ester Windmueller Award to Judge Beverly Snukals at our Lewis F. Powell, III, Inn of Court meeting in recognition of her exemplary professionalism, inspired leadership, and dedicated mentoring of future leaders. Both judges go out of their way to help young lawyers develop, and they mentor more than they know. We are very fortunate to have them in our Inn of Court. After the presentation of the award, Dr. Myla Goldman, Professor & Division Chief and Vice Chair of Faculty Development in VCU’s Neurology Department discussed the current state of multiple sclerosis research and efforts to establish an MS Fellowship at VCU. It was eye opening to see how many people know someone with MS (nearly everyone in the room), but we were left hopeful by the progress made in developing new treatments for this disease of the brain and spinal cord.
John Merrick Celebrates at The United States Supreme Court
–By John Merrick —
John is currently the Vice-President of the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Inn of Court. The Inn is named after an influential Supreme Court Justice from Virginia. The Inn is comprised of mostly lawyers and judges and is dedicated to promoting civility and professionalism. The Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Inn is a member of the larger (national) American Inns of Court. The Inn provided John with a golden opportunity to celebrate last weekend at the United States Supreme Court for the American Inns of Court Celebration of Excellence. It was an inspiring night in an amazing place. The event provided an opportunity to – in the words of Oprah Winfrey "surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." The achievements by the lawyers and judges in attendance were both incredible and motivating. The AIC’s emphasis on civility and professionalism is always worthwhile. We are fortunate in the Richmond legal community to have several avenues for surrounding ourselves with those who we admire and seek to emulate. All lawyers should consider joining – and engaging in – The Richmond Bar Association, Lewis Powell Inn of Court, John Marshall Inn of Court, VADA, VTLA, VSB or VBA. All of these organizations provide meaningful opportunities to learn, build friendships and develop into a better lawyer.
Work-Life Balance: Merrick Brock Fishing Extravaganza
–By John Merrick —
Work-life balance is critical. Most of us can use a little more life and less work. To do so, it is important to stop, live in the present and appreciate the little things, aka "smell the roses." It is easier said than done, especially in a world of multitasking, deadlines, adversaries and the (almost) ever present cell phone.
Work-life balance starts by unplugging. Emails, text messages, phone calls, voicemails and reminders detract from appreciating the little things and living in the present. Cell phones are a boon for work, but they are kryptonite for life.
In pursuit of work-life balance, Merrick Brock sponsored its second annual offshore fishing extravaganza in the Outer Banks. Fishing aboard the "Waste Knot" and well outside of cell phone range, this salty crew of lawyers enjoyed a day of fishing, accompanied by sunshine, fried chicken and the occasional Miller Light. Most of all, we enjoyed camaraderie, and living in the present on a boat with nowhere else to be or to go. Thank you to my friends and colleagues (and impressive lawyers) for sharing the experience: Les Brock, David Lacy, Ron Page, Clint Verity and Chris Bradshaw (tuna slayer).
From our offices in Richmond and Lynchburg, Merrick Brock, PLLC represents injury victims and their families throughout Central Virginia and communities across the Commonwealth. We serve clients in Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Midlothian, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Mechanicsville, Chesterfield, Bon Air, Tuckahoe, Ashland, Petersburg, and surrounding areas. Our attorneys also assist clients throughout Lynchburg, Northern Virginia, and the Hampton Roads region, including Alexandria, Arlington, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
1801 Libbie Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23226
804-500-9796
