Regret a low-ball settlement? You may be able to back out, but you’d better act fast.
After a car wreck injury, people have many life challenges to deal with that distract them from building a strong claim for their injuries. They have to get medical treatment and try to heal, all while fighting to make ends meet, and keep their families on track. If...
If you are injured, contact an attorney immediately to preserve the evidence!
If you are injured, even as you focus on medical treatment, don’t forget to contact an attorney immediately to preserve the evidence! When you get hurt because of someone else’s fault, your first instinct will be getting medical treatment to get better, repairing your...
A Summary of Virginia Dog Bite Law and Two Recent Verdicts Earned by Munro Byrd P.C. in Dog Attack Cases.
At Munro Byrd, P.C., we adore our pets, especially our dogs. Our own dogs (Hamish and Rosie) are frequent visitors to the office. But we also understand that as owners, we have responsibilities to prevent risks they might pose to other people. As with other...
How Private Citizens Bring a Defamation Claim in Virginia
In the age of social media, where people impulsively post false statements and personal attacks so quickly and often that they seem to outrun any accountability, a private person’s reputation is at constant risk. Virginia law does protect private citizens against such...
If your auto insurer suggests you save a little money by opting out of certain underinsured motorist coverage, DON’T.
Virginia Code section 38.2-2206 governs certain primary terms that auto insurance companies must provide when selling you “uninsured motorist” coverage. Amendments to that (effective July 1, 2023) may provide you substantially more overall coverage from your OWN...
Contributory Negligence in Virginia: How a Negligent Defendant Blames the Injured Victim to Avoid Accountability.
In brief: Virginia is one of only four remaining states that continues to impose the harsh, old doctrine in personal injury cases called “contributory negligence.” This outdated doctrine arose as judge-made common law, tracing its roots back to England’s own...
Why trying your injury case in General District Court may make the most sense.
In brief: Personal injury cases in Virginia are tried in three different types of courts – federal court, circuit court and General District court. While some cases involve substantial medical expenses, permanent and debilitating injuries, and lost income when people...
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission Proposes to Ban All Non-Competition Agreements. This Would Improve Western Virginia’s Economy and Services Through Competition, while Retaining the Best Professionals.
In brief: In the last couple years, Virginia has passed new legislation to protect “low wage employees” (those making a below-average wage). (Virginia Code § 40.1-28.7:8.) But Virginia employers continue to impose unfair non-competition covenants on professionals and...
Virginia Doubles Cap for General District Court Injury Cases to $50,000, effective July 1, 2021
In brief: A new law (signed March 18, 2021) has expanded the options of injured Virginians (and their lawyers) to pursue moderate injury damage awards. Since 2011, there has been a $25,000 cap on personal injury lawsuits brought in Virginia’s General District Courts...
You Can’t Sue a COVID Vaccine Manufacturer for Side Effects. But for Serious Injuries or Death, There is a Claims Program (CICP). (Part One)
In Brief: COVID-19 vaccine development, rollout, and risks have dominated the news for a year now. Recent news stories attribute blood clots and serious side effects to these vaccines, including deaths. By all credible accounts, this involves a very minute percentage...