Practice Areas

The documents below are available to the public so that they can gain a better understanding of the legal challenges facing them, and why an experienced attorney is so important for success.

Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents
Medical Malpractice
DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense
Divorce
General

Personal Injury and Automobile Accidents

What can be done about teen car deaths?
Description: It’s every parent’s nightmare – a teenager with a driver’s license. Since car accidents are the leading cause of fatalities for young drivers aged 15 to 20, the federal government has made the safety of teen drivers a priority. Find out what recommendations have been made at the federal level, and which states – including Virginia – are taking action to protect our young drivers.
Is Your Car Spying On You?
Description: Did you know that your car might be recording your every move, information that can be retrieved by accident investigators if you’re involved in an auto accident? Find out what information is being recorded and why manufacturers will finally be forced to let you know whether or not your automobile contains such a device.
No Civil Liability for Hosts or Bars in Virginia
Description: Virginia is one of the very few states that still doesn't hold its bars and restaurants liable for over-serving patrons who get on the road and cause injuries.
One in Three Va. Drivers Texting
Description: Over 35% of Virginia's drivers text while they're on the road, increasing the danger to themselves, their passengers, and you.
What are Virginia's Laws Regarding Dog Bites?
Description: Virginia's dog bite laws are outdated and allow dog owners to get away with owning dangerous animals and doing little or nothing to prevent harm to their neighbors.
Car Insurance Terms in Virginia
Description: A simple guide to car insurance terms and mandatory minimum coverages in Virginia.
Cell Phones Increase Risk of Accident
Description: Virginia's general assembly has banned the use of cell phones by drivers under the age of 18.
Virginia's Seat Belt Laws
Description: Virginia laws require all passengers in the front seat to wear seat belts.

Medical Malpractice

Website Allows Consumers to Compare Hospitals
Description: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been updating its Hospital Compare website. This website allows you to compare hospitals based on different criteria. Many Virginia hospitals currently have information available on the website.
Special Rules for Virginia Medical Malpractice Cases
Description: Virginia has special rules for medical malpractice cases that make it tough on plaintiffs.
Has Your Doctor Committed Medical Malpractice?
Description: The Virginia Board of Medicine's new website allows you to learn whether your doctor has committed malpractice before.
How Medical Mistakes are Costing U.S. Healthcare $8.8 Billion
Description: Tort reform supporters argue that the rising costs of healthcare are due to increasing insurance costs at the hands of plaintiff's medical malpractice suits. A new study from HealthGrades indicates that the industry is costing the American people $8.8 billion in avoidable medical mistakes.
Transient Ischemic Attacks & Strokes
Description: Transient ischemic attacks, or "mini-strokes," have all the symptoms of a stroke but do not permanently damage the brain. However, it is important to recognize the symptoms and call 911 as soon as you experience them.
Understanding Cancer Staging Terminology
Description: The failure to diagnose cancer early in the tumor's growth can cost years off patients lives. This guide to cancer staging may help you better understand some of the terminology used by your doctor.
Shortage of On-Call Specialists at Hospitals is Costing Patients
Description: Hospitals are having difficulty getting specialists to work their 24 hour on call shifts. The lack of proper staffing can cause increased wait times for patients and can increase the level of injury sustained.
New Technology may Reduce Physician Mistakes
Description: 1,500 surgical tools are left in patients each year. Nearly two-thirds of these items are surgical sponges, which are can be tough to detect after surgery.
Switching to Electronic Health Records has Great Benefits, But Poses Liability for Hospitals
Description: Doctors are slow to switch to electronic health records. The change could have a great benefit for patients, but poses liability issues for doctors.
Medical Interns and Sleep Deprivation
Description: Hospitals put their patients at risk when they force medical interns to work long hours.

DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense

The Federal Government’s Answer to Hard Core Drinking and Driving
Description: Aggressive moves by federal and state officials to increase penalties for drinking and driving related accidents means that you need to take your DUI charge seriously. Find out what transportation safety improvements the NTSB have requested of states like Virginia that are affecting DUI laws for Norfolk residents.
New Virginia Law: Doubling Insurance Minimums for DUI Offenders
Description: Effective January 1, 2008, Virginia is requiring that all Virginia drivers with a prior DUI/DWI conviction carry double the required minimum level of auto insurance.
How Virginia's Driver Demerit Point System Works
Description: Virginia's demerit point system very confusing, with different point values attached to different offenses. Here is a breakdown of how the system works.
Three Driving Demerit Point Offenses
Description: Each of these offenses will earn a driver three demerit points under the Virginia system.
Four Driving Demerit Point Offenses
Description: A list of the four demerit point violations for Virginia drivers.
Six Driver Demerit Point Violations
Description: A list of the six point offenses under Virginia's driver demerit point system.
Ignition Interlock Devices & DUI Law
Description: Virginia DUI law allows judges to require that an ignition interlock device be attached to the offender's car. This device prevents the offender from driving drunk again.
Requesting a Restricted License in Virginia
Description: Weisberg & Zaleski are experienced in helping Norfolk, Virginia residents request restricted license reinstatement after DUI convictions.
Virginia Legislature Working to Repeal Fines
Description: Virginia is working to repeal the highly controversial and unpopular civil remedial scheme put into place last July.
Virginia DUI Laws for First Time Offenders
Description: An overview of Virginia's DUI laws in first offender cases.
General Assembly Institutes New Civil Remedial Fees
Description: New civil remedial fee schedule instituted by Virginia General Assembly.
Having one more for the road may skew breath tests
Description: Having "one more for the road" can skew the breathalyzer test and result in a higher reading that your true BAC.

Divorce

A brief overview of child custody laws
Description: A brief overview of Virginia's child custody laws.
How Does Child Support Get Computed In Virginia?
Description: A short primer on how child support gets calculated in Virginia

General

Don't Try This At Home: Five Home Remedies That Aren't
Description: Old wive's tales and internet sensations often don't have much scientific backing. Here are five home remedies that you should avoid.