Michael S. Weisberg, P.C. Blog

Dad Leaves Kids Home Alone to Buy Drugs

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Sometimes you just really want to get high. Lennell Holloman, a 27-year-old man from Suffolk, is accused of leaving his three young children alone at home so he could go across town and buy marijuana, reports WTKR TV.
A Suffolk police officer saw what he thought was a drug deal go down on E. Washington Street. When the officer approached Holloman, the officer discovered 12 baggies full of marijuana in his pockets.
After he was arrested, Holloman asked to make a phone call. The reason being that he had left his kids home alone. The police went to Holloman’s home to check it out and found that he did in fact leave a 4-year-old, 3-year-old, and 1-year-old alone so that he could buy pot, reports WTKR. The children were unharmed and police have no idea how long they were left unsupervised.
Lennell Holloman will now have to deal with a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation along with his drug charges. For the drug charges, Holloman could be sentenced to jail. For leaving his kids alone, Holloman could potentially lose custody of his children.
Losing custody of your children is obviously a big deal. If the facts are true, Holloman was an idiot leaving his kids alone to buy marijuana. But should Holloman lose his children for that offense? The CPS will likely look into a lot of factors to determine the best interests of the children and whether they are safe in Holloman’s care. Holloman will need a good family law attorney to argue that while he made a mistake, he should not lose his kids.
If you or someone you know is in a position where they are subject to a CPS investigation, you should see experienced child custody attorney Michael Weisberg to ensure that your rights are protected and that your child is not removed from your care.

Man Arrested for Pizza Robberies Says He’s Innocent

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Brandon Smith will be spending his birthday behind bars after he was arrested for robbing a Chesapeake, VA Papa John’s pizza delivery driver. There have been a spate of robberies involving pizza delivery people recently including the shooting of a Newport News pizza worker who is now in critical condition, reports WTKR TV.
This most recent robbery occurred at around 8:30 p.m. Monday night, and the female pizza employee said she had been robbed while making a delivery in the 1100 block of Merchant’s Way.
When cops got to the scene, they saw two men they suspected of being the robbers run into a nearby home. After a search, they arrested Brandon Smith and his friend, Brian Faulcon. Smith, a volunteer high school basketball coach, says police have the wrong man and that he had nothing to do with the robbery. He says that he had just gotten out of a car and may have looked suspicious because he was wearing a hoodie.
If convicted of robbing the pizza delivery person, Smith could face between five years and life in prison for the offense. So it’s critical for Smith to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.
All too often, police arrest the wrong guy or there is a mistaken identity that leads to serious penalties. If you have been wrongly accused of a crime or are otherwise involved in a criminal matter, you will want experienced Norfolk criminal defense lawyer Michael Weisberg to represent your interests and help ensure you do not do the time for a crime you did not commit.

Father to Lose Custody of Daughter he Whipped 82 Times?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Child custody can be a messy business in Virginia where a court will normally make the difficult decision based on the “best interests” of the child. Every once in a while, this decision can be easy as a court will be presented with a set of facts that so favor one parent having custody of the child over the other.
In Suffolk, VA Victor Gomez, a 29-year-old father, was accused of hitting his 13-year-old daughter 82 times with a belt as the teen’s step-mother stood by and watched. The child sustained serious bruising and welts on her back, buttocks, and legs, reports WTKT TV.
The child was removed from the home by Child Protective Services, and Gomez was charged with felony counts of abuse and neglect.
It wasn’t reported if the girl’s biological mother was seeking custody of the girl, but if she is, the facts seem to favor her. In a child custody dispute, the court will look to the best interests of the child by considering the following factors:

- age and physical and mental condition of the child
- age and physical and mental condition of each parent
- relationship between each parent and child
- needs of the child such as relationships with siblings, peers, and extended family members
- role that each parent has played and will play in the upbringing of the child
- propensity of each parent to support the child’s contact and relationship with the other parent
- willingness and demonstrated ability of each parent to maintain a close and continuing relationship with the child
- preference of the child
- any history of family abuse or sexual abuse
Certain factors will be given more weight depending upon the circumstances of each case. If Victor Gomez faces a child custody hearing, a court will likely consider the 82 lashes he doled out to his daughter more than any other single factor.
There is no exact science to Virginia child custody laws. Because of this uncertainty, you will need experienced Norfolk child custody attorney Michael Weisberg on your side to ensure that the best interests of your child are represented.

Sergeant Faces Involuntary Manslaughter for Fatal Car Crash in VA

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In December, 2011, Jesse Evans was accused of driving the wrong way down I-64 and killing two young women in a horrific car accident. Police say alcohol played a role in the accident, and this month Evans learned that he will be facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter for killing 19-year-old Sierra Smith and 17-year-old Kimberly Brin, college roommates.
Evans was a former Army staff sergeant based out of Fort Eustis. He was previously convicted of a drunk driving episode back in September and he is currently serving time in the Newport News City jail for that offense, reports WVEC TV.
If convicted of the two involuntary manslaughter charges, Evans can expect a significant increase in his prison stay.
Generally, someone convicted of involuntary manslaughter while driving drunk faces a class 5 felony charge and could be sentenced to a jail term between one and ten years.
In extreme circumstances, if the drunk driver displayed a complete reckless disregard for human life, the driver can face an aggravated involuntary manslaughter charge and up to 20 years in jail.
In Jesse Evans’ case, while the former army staff sergeant had a previous DUI conviction to his name, he was only charged with the lesser involuntary manslaughter charge. If convicted of the crime, the sentencing judge may consider his past record and give him a penalty closer to ten years than one year for each manslaughter charge.
The penalties for a drunk driving death or injury can vary a great deal depending upon the facts and circumstances of the crime. If you have been charged with drunk driving or seriously injuring another while driving drunk, you will want to speak with experienced DUI attorney Michael S. Weisberg to help explain the penalties you face and possible defenses to your charge.

Charisse Turner Killed in Norfolk Car Accident

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A 40-year-old Portsmouth woman, Charisse Turner reportedly got a flat tire while she was driving her 1993 BMW near the Northampton Blvd. exit on I-64. She pulled over to the shoulder and another driver offered to provide assistance. Turner got out of her car and spoke to the Good Samaritan. As she walked back to her own car, another vehicle driven by Jonathon Hueneman lost control, ran off the side of the road, and struck Turner, killing her.
In causing the accident, Hueneman was charged with reckless driving though it is not believed that alcohol played a role in the crash. Along with the criminal charges, Hueneman may also have to deal with a wrongful death lawsuit.
Liability for a car accident is usually determined by which party was careless or negligent in causing the crash. If one driver was responsible for the accident such as by driving recklessly, texting and driving, or driving drunk, that driver may have to pay the injured party (or the survivors of a dead party) a significant amount to compensate for the injuries.
Jonathon Hueneman faces criminal liability for killing Charisse Turner in the fatal Norfolk car accident. He may soon face a civil lawsuit as well.
Those who injure others while driving recklessly should have to pay for the damage they cause. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may want to speak with Norfolk car accident attorney Michael Weisberg to learn your rights.

Would You Put a Loved One in a Large For-Profit Norfolk Nursing Home?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Selecting the best nursing home for your loved one is a difficult decision. Sadly, a recent study from the University of California in San Francisco indicated that the largest for-profit nursing homes in the United States have the most significant deficiencies due to low staffing levels. This impacts the level of care your loved one receives and leads to serious issues involving nursing home abuse and neglect. If you suspect nursing home abuse, then you should contact a Norfolk nursing home neglect attorney immediately.

So how do you determine which Virginia nursing home is best for your family member or other loved one?

Have your loved one evaluated to determine his/her physical and mental status and to learn his/her needs.
Other than level of care, determine what is essential in selecting a nursing home, such as location and cost of care. Read the “fine print” to understand what the cost includes and what is extra.
Evaluate each facility during the day and in the evening – What are the patients doing? Are they kept busy? Are there recreational and socialization opportunities? Is the facility kept clean? Are the rooms and bathrooms clean? Are the dining areas and kitchen clean?
Determine how the staff handles sick patients.
Find out if there is a physician on-site or a 24-hour emergency response system.
Determine the ratio of staff to patients, both during the day and at night.
Talk to the residents – ask them about their experiences in the nursing home. Observe their mannerisms and behavior, and determine if, in your opinion, they appear well kept and well cared for.

Selecting an appropriate nursing home in Norfolk takes time and serious consideration. Finding a suitable nursing home may also be difficult due to availability, as this is oftentimes based on the number of open beds in a facility. While it is a difficult decision, if a loved one requires 24-hour care, then a nursing home may be the only option.

Contact Norfolk nursing home neglect lawyer Michael Weisberg if you have questions about your loved one’s care. Call the office toll free at (800) 690-0235.

Hit Crossing a Virginia Road? A Norfolk Car Accident Lawyer Can Help.

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Imagine you were hit by a car while crossing the street in Virginia, suffering significant physical injuries and emotional distress. In fact, the injuries have kept you from returning to work. When the accident took place, you were not crossing the roadway on a designated crosswalk.
Who is at fault in this Norfolk car accident?
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has laws covering both drivers and pedestrians. One important law indicates that crossing the roadway at any point other than a crosswalk is considered jaywalking, which is illegal in the Commonwealth. If there is no crosswalk, a pedestrian should cross the street from one corner to another, where a crosswalk would normally be painted.
Drivers must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, regardless of who has the right of way. Therefore, even if an intoxicated pedestrian is not paying attention while crossing the street and crosses against a “do not walk” sign, drivers are required to stop.
However, you may still have a claim and should contact a Norfolk car accident attorney if you have been hit while crossing the roadway, regardless of whether or not you were using the crosswalk. Virginia law requires a driver to always stop for pedestrians, no matter where the pedestrians were crossing the street. An experienced Norfolk car accident lawyer will examine the case and determine whether negligent driving was a factor in your situation.
In a Norfolk car accident case, an attorney can show that the negligent driver was:

Driving while intoxicated
Driving while distracted (talking, texting, eating, applying makeup)
Falling asleep at the wheel
Speeding
Insufficiently maintaining the motor vehicle

Therefore, even if you were not in a crosswalk at the time you were hit, you may still file a civil claim for damages against the driver. Call Norfolk car accident attorney Michael Weisberg at (800) 690-0235, or complete the contact form on this page for a free consultation. Our attorneys are here to speak with you about your case.

How a Norfolk Car Accident Lawyer Brings Claims for Car Fire Damages

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Imagine driving along the roadway in Virginia when, suddenly, smoke starts billowing from the front of your car. You carefully pull over to the side and pop the hood to find that the engine has caught fire. You are confused, as you have never been in a motor vehicle accident, and you have always kept up the maintenance on the car. The damages from this fire can be costly. In a situation like this, do you have a claim against the manufacturer, the company that sold you the car, or even the mechanic who serviced your car?

While a car fire can be the result of an electrical or mechanical manufacturing defect, a case like this can be very complicated to prove. Therefore, it is important to contact a Norfolk car accident lawyer to determine who is at fault, as an experienced attorney will:

Obtain and review all of the information to determine the cause of the fire
Determine whether any of the parties owed you a duty of care and were negligent or did not exercise due care in either manufacturing or repairing/servicing the vehicle
If it is determined that one of the parties owed you a duty of care, was there a breach in this duty of care and did this breach cause the car fire? Or were there any other intervening events that could have caused the fire, such as a Norfolk car accident?
If it is determined that the party’s breach in the duty of care caused the car fire, your attorney will determine the damages, including costs to repair the car, costs of a rental vehicle and loss of personal property due to the fire.

If the fire was caused by a manufacturer’s defect, the seller may also be liable if he or she knew about the defect.

Motor vehicles are complex machines and there are many reasons why a car can catch fire, including problems with the battery, leakage, and overheating. Whatever the reason, if your car has caught on fire, call a Norfolk car accident attorney to discuss your case. Attorney Michael Weisberg has been representing clients in southeastern Virginia, including the greater Norfolk and Portsmouth areas, for over forty years. Call Attorney Weisberg toll free at (800) 690-0235, or complete the contact form on this page for a free consultation.

Untreated Depression in Norfolk Nursing Homes: It Will Make You Sick

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

According to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 14 million Americans suffer from depression each year. Sadly, many of those suffering include Virginia nursing home residents whose depression symptoms have gone untreated. When the short-term effects of depression escalate into long-term effects among elderly Norfolk nursing home residents, the impact on their lives can be devastating.

The short-term effects of untreated depression among Virginia nursing home residents include:

Loss of interest in daily life activities
Lack of motivation, enthusiasm, and energy
Feelings of loneliness and sadness
Over-sleeping

When these symptoms remain untreated, the symptoms become long-term effects that include:

Chronic fatigue
Low immune system leading to unrelenting illness
Chronic aches and pains
Relationships suffer because the nursing home resident can no longer express himself or herself
Loss of memory and attention

When a Norfolk nursing home resident’s depression has gone untreated and symptoms increase, who is at fault?

You pay for the best nursing home care you can possibly afford. If your loved one is in a Virginia nursing home and nursing home staff have failed to appropriately treat your loved one’s depression, contact an experienced Norfolk nursing home neglect attorney to discuss your case. The nursing home may be at fault.

For the past forty years, Attorney Michael Weisberg has been working hard to protect the rights of nursing home residents. Contact the law office of Michael S. Weisberg, P.C., at (800) 690-0235, so your loved one can receive the care he or she deserves. Talk to a Norfolk nursing home neglect lawyer today.

Increase in Norfolk Nursing Home Neglect Cases Caused by Infections

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Nursing homes have important standards to meet in order to prevent the spread of germs that cause infections amongst the elderly patients in these facilities. While nursing homes have a responsibility to maintain a high level of infection control, staff do not always follow the proper precautions. As a result, germs spread freely from patient to patient or staff to patient.
The elderly do not have strong enough immune systems to fight off the infections caused by these germs. Most infections are caused by the spread of germs through hand-contact; the airborne transmission of germs is relatively low. In nursing homes throughout Virginia, an infection may also result from a resident ingesting food or water that is contaminated.
If your loved one has been susceptible to infections since entering a Virginia nursing home, he or she may be a victim of Norfolk nursing home neglect and abuse. Virginia nursing home infections are preventable through:

Proper hand hygiene for staff and residents
Thoroughly and regularly washing and bathing the residents
Using personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves, masks, gowns and aprons
Keeping clothing, bedding, personal items (such as tooth brushes), flooring, furniture and food areas clean
Proper management and disposal of needles
Cleaning and disinfecting patients' rooms
Keeping sick visitors from entering the facility

Watch for the following symptoms to help you determine whether your loved one has been subjected to continuous infections as a result of Norfolk nursing home neglect:

Subnormal temperature
Confusion
Fatigue
Decreased appetite
Dehydration
Headaches and achiness
Swelling
Skin infections and rashes

If you suspect that your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse in Virginia, contact Michael Weisberg, an experienced Norfolk nursing home neglect attorney. Call our office toll free at (800) 690-0235 or complete the contact form on this page to speak with a knowledgeable Norfolk nursing home neglect lawyer.

CLICK-IT-OR-TICKET!

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

DRIVER'S BEWARE! Virginia State Police have now joined the Click-It-or-Ticket program that the local law enforcement started. While troopers and other law enforcement will still be enforcing all traffic laws, they will be paying special attention to seatbelts and proper child safety restraints.

The Click-It-or-Ticket campaign will begin Sunday November 13, 2011 and will go through November 20th. According to reports, as of October 31st of this year at least 257 people who died in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts. In 2010, 307 died in car accidents while not buckled.

Seatbelt safety obviously has been a major concern for state and local police force. Last year, Virginia State troopers ticketed 26,797 adults for not wearing their seatbelts and 7,135 adults for not having their children properly restrained.

My advice to you would be to buckle up, not only to refrain from getting a ticket but also for your own safety and the safety of others. While it is easy to forget or feel like you do not need it on that quick trip to the store, it is definitely not worth the risk.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a traffic violation with the Tidewater Area, please call or e-mail local Hampton Roads Attorney Michael S. Weisberg. He is located in the heart of downtown Norfolk next to Tidewater Community College. Please call or fill out a form on our website today for your free consultation.

Un-Occupy Norfolk

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Occupy movement has spread nationwide in the past month or so, even here locally in Norfolk, VA. The Occupy Norfolk protestors set up their campsite in between the city's corporate building and the Confederate Monument. The organizer of Occupy Norfolk, James McPherson, 24, received a legal permit from the city to set up their campsite with a maximum of 30 protestors.

On Thursday, campsite occupants were woken up at 6 a.m. and told that they had three hours to remove their belongings. The people were unaware that they would be asked to remove their campsite so quickly. According to McPherson, he met with the Assistant City Manager and deputy city attorneys on Wednesday and was told that they keep the encampment until the Grand Illumination Parade on November 19th. So, Thursday morning was quite shock to all the campers. Many of the Occupy protesters believe the city handled the situation poorly. Six were peacefully arrested after the park was closed. The arrests happened around 9 a.m. when some of the protesters tried to get back in the encampment to retrieve their personal belongings. All six were given summonses and released. While the police were polite, the protestors still did not think the arrests were necessary. The protestors stated that their mission was not about having a permanent campsite but promoting their cause about bank reforms and stopping corporate influence in politics. Unlike many of other places around the states, Norfolk did not have any problems with the Occupy Norfolk tenure.

If you or someone you know has had a run-in with the police and are in need of representation, please call local Hampton Roads Attorney Michael S. Weisberg for help with your case. Call, e-mail or fill-out the form on the company website to set up your free initial consultation.

In a Norfolk Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver? Protect Yourself.

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

With the given economic climate, the number of uninsured motorists is a growing concern in Virginia. Approximately nine percent of all drivers in the Commonwealth are uninsured. If you are in a motor vehicle accident with an uninsured motorist, your uninsured motorist insurance coverage will allow you to recover damages if the uninsured driver is at fault.
If you have been involved in a Norfolk car accident with an uninsured motorist, it is important to note the following:

If the uninsured driver is at fault, a claim will be made against your insurance company in order to recover.
Your insurance company will retain a lawyer to represent the uninsured motorist.
The uninsured driver will be personally liable for the damages.
If it is determined that you are not at fault, your insurance company cannot raise your premium as a result of filing a Norfolk car accident claim.

We believe that to protect yourself and your family against uninsured motorists in Virginia, you should ensure that you have ample uninsured motorist insurance coverage. You may seek to get the highest amount possible for protection against a serious motor vehicle wreck caused by an uninsured driver.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident in Virginia caused by an uninsured driver, contact a knowledgeable Norfolk car accident lawyer to help you through the process of filing a claim. Michael Weisberg, an experienced Norfolk car accident attorney, will fight for your rights and will work hard to help you fully recover. Call Attorney Weisberg toll free at (800) 690-0235 or complete the contact form on this page. We are ready to work for you.

Trouble at Atlantis

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Trouble at Atlantis Gentleman's Club yet again. Two people were injured early this morning in a shooting outside of the club. Police were notified around 1:30 a.m. of the shooting. According to reports, there was an altercation inside the club and some people were asked to leave. They left in their vehicle that was parked not too far from the club and at least two of them returned to the club and shot at the victims who were standing at the entrance of the club. One of the victims was an employee at the club. The shooters quickly sped away in their car down Oceana Boulevard. The police have no suspects or descriptions of the vehicles involved.

This is not the first criminal event at the Atlantis. Just last week Hampton Roads remembered the death of a Norfolk police officer who was shot not far from Atlantis a year ago. This past July, Atlantis Gentleman's Club was designated as an off limits business for all military members. In March, the police searched the premises regarding a possible drug distribution going on at the business. Let's hope that Atlantis takes the necessary precautions to improve the safety and reputation of their club.

If you or someone you know have been involved in criminal activity or have been injured by another, please contact Attorney Michael Weisberg for help and legal advice. He has been serving the people of Hampton Roads for over thirty years and would welcome the opportunity to help you with your particular situation. Please call or e-mail to set up your free consultation.

Military Members Fake Marriages for Cash

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Many young sailors struggle to make ends meet as they are low on the ranking totem pole. Justin James Robbins was one of these sailors. While aboard the amphibious assault ship Kearsarge, two fellow sailors told Robbins an easy way to get extra money from the government. They explained that he could stage a phony marriage with a foreign national and triple his salary rate and get housing allowance. They also explained that he could get extra money if he recruited others to enter into phony marriages. Prosecution said that 26 year-old Jermar Jones was the ringleader of the conspiracy on the Kearsarge which included four fake marriages between soldiers and foreigners seeking to remain in the United States.

Jones is on trial in the U.S. District Court here in Norfolk. He is facing 11 counts of conspiracy, marriage fraud, false claims, witness tampering and making false statements. Robbins did testify that he easily made the extra money and that he met his wife from Nigeria on their wedding day on October 13, 2005 at Norfolk City Hall. Robbins never had sexual relations with her and never lived with her. His wife returned to New York City where she had been living and eventually obtained a green card. She was arrested earlier this month on charges related to the 2009 indictment against Robbins and the others. Robbins pleaded guilty to theft of government property and must serve one year in prison and repay the government $57,700. The defense is trying to prove that Jones was not the ring leader of these phony marriages but with Robbins' as a witness and another witness who testified that she paid Jones $6,000 to arrange a phony marriage does not help Jones's case of innocence. Most of the sailors have since been discharged, but it is not clear if any of them remain in the service.

If you or someone you know has been charged with criminal activity, please contact your local Hampton Roads Attorney Michael S. Weisberg. He is located in downtown Norfolk and has been practicing law for over 30 years. Please call today and set up your initial consultation.

Man Found Guilty for Fatal DUI Accident

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The man responsible for the DUI crash that killed three people in August was found guilty today in the Norfolk Courts System. 32 year-old Craig Watson was convicted of three counts of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence. He crashed on the 1800 block of E. Indian River Road; the car went through a guardrail, multiple trees and landed in the front porch of a house. According to reports, Watson and three other men met four teenage girls at the Oceanfront. The group decided to rent a hotel room and drink and party past midnight. One of the young ladies made it safely home, and one of the men decided to stay at the hotel. The rest of the group decided to move to a different location, and Watson took the wheel of his friend's car. Prosecutors said that Watson was driving over 100 mph and that his blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit. The defense attorney said that Watson had control of the vehicle until one of the passengers grabbed the wheel and caused the crash. However, the jury still found Watson guilty and recommended a 25 year sentence, with eight years for each manslaughter charge and the maximum one year sentence for the DUI. Watson's formal sentencing will take place in January.

If you or someone who know has been charged with criminal activity or has been injured in a car accident, please contact your local Hampton Roads Attorney Michael S. Weisberg. He is located in the heart of downtown Norfolk and has been handling criminal and personal injury cases for multiple years. Please call and set up your free consultation today.

President Obama Ends War in Iraq

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

On Friday, President Obama declared that the war on Iraq is over and that all troops will be home before the New Year. Obama's announcement put an end to the discussion and rumors about whether he would let the war head in to 2012. But, Obama is keeping an election promise to end the war and bring the troops back home. Obama has held his promise of building a self-reliant Iraq and focusing the nation's attention on itself. The President said that both he and the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki agreed on the decision to remove the American troops. Since the war started over nine years ago more than 4,400 American military members have been killed. There were discussions of keeping several thousand troops to continue training the Iraqi military, but Iraq refused to permit the American troops to have immunity in the Iraqi courts. With that lack of protection, the U.S. decided to pull out the troops; only a few will stay in correlation to the leaders in different U.S. Embassys. President Obama stated in his address to the country that "after a decade of war the nation that we need to build and the nation that we will is our own, an America that sees its economic strength restored just as we've restored our leadership around the globe."

In Hampton Roads, we have the privilege of knowing many military personnel and families. Attorney Michael S. Weisberg has had the privilege of helping many military service men and women in the Hampton Roads area. Please call and set up a free initial consultation today.

Mentally Handicapped Adults Held in Dungeon

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Four mentally handicapped adults were found in Philadelphia in what the police described as a basement dungeon. The four victims had the mental capacities of 10-year-olds. Authorities explained that the victims were chained to a boiler in a 15x15 foot basement. There was no sign of food; only some water, a bucket for the prisoners to use as a bathroom, a mattress, and a flat board with a pillow. Their captor, 50-year-old Linda Westen, posed as their caregiver and collected their disability benefit checks. Two of the victims have been with her for as long as 11 years. Westen has moved the victims from city to city; she collected the other two victims in February. Authorities have found that Westen also had two male accomplices, Eddie Wright, 51, and Gregory Thomas, 48. All three were charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault and false imprisonment. The malnourished victims were taken to the hospital for some much needed medical attention. Authorities are still trying to identify the prisoners.

If you or someone you know is in need of a criminal law attorney, please contact Attorney Michael S. Weisberg. Mr. Weisberg has been practicing law in Hampton Roads for over 30 years. Call today and set up your free consultation.

Bikers Beware!

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Bikers Beware! Sunday night in Virginia Beach around 8:30 p.m. a driver turning on Baker Street from Wesleyan Drive struck bicyclist Arielle Santiful. The accident induced life threatening injuries for Ms. Santiful. 20 year-old Arielle Santiful was heading east on Baker Street when she was struck by the vehicle; the vehicle made a legal stop at the intersection and attempted to turn on Baker Street when he hit Santiful. Unfortunately, the bicyclist was not wearing any reflective gear, did not have a light, and was not wearing a helmet. She was transported to the hospital immediately for her injuries. According to reports, the driver was not injured. The case remains under investigation and no charges have been pressed. Let this be a reminder for bikers to wear the necessary safety gear during the day and night, and also for drivers to always be aware of their surroundings and who might be walking or traveling.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, please contact your local Hampton Roads Attorney Michael S. Weisberg. Mr. Weisberg has been practicing law for over 30 years and specializes in personal injury. Call today and set up your free consultation.

Norfolk Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Cautions of Chemical Restraints

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Nursing home staff throughout Virginia are turning to the use of chemical restraints for reasons that are non-medical, including to pacify residents, for convenience, and for discipline. When you visit a loved one, it is not always obvious that he or she is being subjected to abuse in a Virginia nursing home through the use of chemical restraints. Chemical restraints are similar to the use of physical restraints except that you cannot see the vests, straps and belts holding the patient down. With chemical restraints, nursing home staff use powerful psychotropic medications to:

Sedate residents
Control the behaviors of residents
Keep the residents "out of their way"
Discipline residents

Most patients are unaware that they are being given these medications. This form of abuse and neglect in Norfolk nursing homes, as well as those throughout Virginia, is on the increase.
Unfortunately, the use of chemical restraints on nursing home patients can have dire results. Patients frequently become seriously ill and need to be hospitalized. In a number of cases, patients have died from the use of chemical restraints. Their elderly bodies cannot handle medications of this magnitude.
If you have seen a change in a loved one in a Virginia nursing home, such as an increase in lethargy, or if your loved one has become delirious, lost weight or become dehydrated, call a Norfolk nursing home neglect attorney so that immediate steps can be taken to protect their rights. Attorney Michael Weisberg believes in the rights of nursing home residents and has been fighting for their rights for decades. Call Attorney Michael Weisberg toll free at (800) 690-0235 or complete the contact form on this page to speak with a Norfolk nursing home neglect lawyer before it is too late.