Richard N. Shapiro
Virginia
Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, P.C.
4705 Columbus Street #304
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
United States
Tel: (833) 997-1774
Email:
rshapiro@hsinjurylaw.com
Web:
www.hsinjurylaw.com
Richard N. “Rick” Shapiro is a highly accomplished personal injury trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience representing injured clients throughout Virginia, North Carolina, and the Southeastern United States. A board-certified Civil Trial Advocate, Rick handles significant wrongful death, trucking, defective product, railroad, and medical negligence cases. Over the course of his career, he and his firm have secured verdicts and settlements exceeding $100 million.
Rick combines extensive trial experience with a particularly strong record in appellate matters arising from personal injury litigation. He has successfully represented clients on appeal before the Supreme Courts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as the Virginia Court of Appeals and, on three occasions, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
His experience in complex product liability litigation is complemented by an unusual technical background as an inventor and product designer. Rick holds 18 U.S. patents, along with numerous foreign patents, and has licensed a patent to Radio Flyer. This firsthand understanding of product design can provide valuable insight when investigating and litigating defective-product claims. His experience includes working with co-counsel to obtain a $2.5 million verdict in a case involving a fatal fire caused by a ride-on lawnmower.
His professional accomplishments have earned substantial recognition. Rick was inducted into the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, Class of 2026, and was previously named a 2022 Leader in the Law and among the publication’s 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers for Medical Malpractice. He received the National Board of Trial Advocacy President’s Award in 2023 and has also been recognized by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Beyond his legal career, Rick is an inventor, product designer, and published thriller author. These varied pursuits reflect the analytical, creative, and technical perspective he brings to a personal injury practice built over more than 30 years of trial and appellate advocacy.
- Ratliff v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., 2009 WL 649268 (March 12, 2009) (Link to WV Supreme Court Opinion)
- Payne v. CSX Transportation, Inc., No. 2-231-07, (Dec. 27, 2013) (Link to June 2015 TN Supreme Court Opinion)
- Bilenky v. Ryobi Technologies, Inc., et.al, No. 2:13-cv-00345 (E.D. Va. June 26, 2015) (Link to Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion upholding $2.5 million jury verdict)
- Muhammad v. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., No. 18-1695 (4th Cir. June 4, 2019) (Link to Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion reinstating a FELA lawsuit in favor of Rick’s client.)
- Was named peer reviewed 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law by Best Lawyers (Norfolk, VA area).
- Recognized “Best Lawyer” by U.S. News & World Report (since ’10)
- 10.0 perfect rating on Avvo, a lawyer rating service
- Board Certified by the National Board of Legal Specialty (ABA Accredited)
- Selected to the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” of Virginia, by the National Trial Lawyers
- Recognized as a Top 10 Trial Lawyer for truck accident litigation by the National Trial Lawyers’ Trucking Association
- “AV” Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, one of the most prominent and respected lawyer rating organizations in the world.
- Recognized as a “Client Champion” by Martindale-Hubbell (since 2018)
- Recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics Magazine (since ’10)
- Chairman of the American Association of Justice Railroad Section (two terms)
- Executive Committee Member for the Railroad Trial Lawyers Association
- Selected to Who’s Who in American Law (2009)
- American Inventor, granted more than 18 U.S. Patents, with several licenses granted.
- Author of Amazon #1 Best Selling Suspense Thriller, “Taming the Telomeres.”
In addition to dangerous prescription drug issues, our faulty product lawyers help people who were the victims of defective consumer products like faulty car brakes and steering columns (that could lead to serious car accidents), children’s strollers and toys, and so forth. Thousands of consumers are seriously injured every year by products that have not been properly manufactured, inspected or tested to insure that they will not cause serious injuries or even loss of life or death.
When you are looking for an attorney to represent you or a loved one in a personal injury or wrongful death case involving a defective product, faulty product, defective medical device, prescription drug side effect, or any other defect or recall, look for an actual track record of success. Our team of experienced Virginia and North Carolina defective product injury attorneys are proud of the results we have obtained on behalf of seriously injured clients and on behalf of families who lost a loved one from a faulty defective product or device.
The firm, which was founded in 1985, focuses exclusively on plaintiff’s side personal injury litigation. All of the attorneys at the firm are active, practicing trial attorneys. The breadth of experience at the firm is extensive. In fact, we have a combined 70 years of legal experience.
Our firm is known for personal service. When you hire us, you will have a lawyer fighting for you and someone who you can contact when you have questions or concerns. Our firm does not operate like most firms. With us, you will be treated with the respect you deserve and given the time and attention you need throughout your case. We will continuously keep you updated in your case.
The firm’s primary place of business is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The firm has offices in Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Hampton, and in Kill Devil Hills, NC.