Quick Answer: What Should You Do After a Work Injury in Virginia Beach?

 

If you were injured at work in Virginia Beach, take these steps: (1) Report the injury to your employer within 30 days, (2) Get medical treatment and tell the doctor it happened at work, (3) File a claim with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission within two years, and (4) Do not sign anything from the insurance company before talking to an attorney. Virginia workers comp may provide wage replacement equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, lifetime medical treatment, compensation for permanent impairment, and a lump-sum settlement. Call a Virginia Beach workers compensation lawyer if your claim is denied or delayed.

 

This page focuses on workers injured in Virginia Beach. If you were injured in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, or Newport News, your claim may be heard at a different location and should be reviewed separately.

 

A Workers Comp Lawyer Who Knows Virginia Beach

 

I’ve represented injured workers throughout Virginia Beach for more than 15 years. Though I was born and raised in Newport News, I worked in Virginia Beach during a summer in college, raced in local pools (including Dam Neck Indoor Pool) in high school, and took many day trips with friends to the Oceanfront (and have a few pictures with my wife in front of the Neptune statue). I still have close friends in the area and know this city well – not just as a lawyer, but as someone who’s been part of the community.

 

From construction crews building along the Oceanfront, to warehouse employees at the Amazon fulfillment center, to nurses at Sentara Virginia Beach General, to federal contractors supporting Naval Air Station Oceana, I’ve handled workers compensation claims against Virginia Beach employers of every size and fought insurers like Travelers, The Hartford, and Liberty Mutual, and third-party administrators like Sedgwick to secure the benefits my clients were owed.

 

If you were hurt at work in Virginia Beach, you’re dealing with more than pain. You’re worried about how to pay bills while you heal, whether you’ll need surgery, and what happens if you can’t return to your job. The insurance company has already assigned an adjuster to your case, and that adjuster’s job is to minimize what they pay you.

 

You need someone in your corner who knows Virginia Beach, knows how workers comp cases are actually handled here, and knows how to win.

 

Call me directly: (757) 810-5614

 

This page explains how Virginia workers compensation claims are handled for injuries arising in Virginia Beach. For a complete explanation of every benefit available under Virginia law, see our Virginia Workers Compensation Benefits Guide.

 

Case Results for Virginia Beach Area Workers

 

Here are examples of results I’ve obtained for injured workers in Virginia Beach:

 

Confidential Settlement Amount | Marina Worker

 

    • Injury: Concussion and neck injury when struck by a falling object.
    • Challenge: Insurer blamed pre-existing degeneration and denied surgery. We had previously settled a case on his behalf for more than $100,000.
    • Result: Negotiated a settlement. Amount confidential
    • Treatment: Wardell Orthopaedics, among others.

 

Confidential Settlement Amount | Former Claims Adjuster

 

    • Injury: Aggravated a pre-existing amputation stump when she fell.
    • Challenge: Initial offer was less than 1/3 of what the case settled for.
    • Result: Negotiated a settlement after obtaining evidence on projected future medical costs.

 

$175,000 | Healthcare Worker

 

    • Injury: Shoulder injury from patient handling
    • Challenge: Initially the insurer paid wage loss and medical benefits voluntarily. When it became clear the employee would need surgery, the insurer denied the claim.
    • Result: Negotiated a settlement during mediation.

 

How Virginia Beach Workers Commonly Get Hurt on the Job

 

Virginia Beach’s economy produces predictable injury patterns depending on where you work.

 

Military Bases and Federal Contractors

Naval Air Station Oceana, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, and Navy Exchange Service Command employ thousands of civilian workers.

 

Common injuries:

    • Hearing loss from aircraft and equipment
    • Shoulder and neck injuries from overhead work
    • Back injuries from lifting equipment

 

Some injured workers in Virginia Beach fall under FECA, the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA), or the Jones Act, not Virginia workers comp. Identifying the correct system and potential legal remedies early is critical.

 

Hospitality and Tourism

Hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues along the Oceanfront see frequent injuries.

 

Common injuries:

    • Slip-and-fall accidents on wet floors
    • Burns in commercial kitchens
    • Lifting injuries from moving supplies
    • Disputes over whether injury occurred “in the course of employment”

 

Warehousing and Distribution

Amazon and other distribution facilities generate a high volume of claims.

 

Common injuries:

 

Obtaining full value in these cases often turn on proving medical causation and obtaining high permanent impairment ratings.

 

Healthcare

Nurses, CNAs, and technicians at Sentara facilities face physical demands daily.

 

Common injuries:

 

Construction

Virginia Beach construction sites present serious hazards.

 

Common injuries:

 

Virginia Law: What You Must Prove to Get Benefits

 

Under Virginia Code § 65.2-101, a work “injury” means only an injury by accident arising out of and in the course of employment. To receive workers compensation benefits in Virginia Beach, you must prove three elements:

1. An injury by accident. A sudden mechanical or structural change to your body from a specific, identifiable incident. A fall from scaffolding, a forklift collision, or being struck by a falling object all qualify. The incident must occur at a reasonably definite time.

 

 

2. Arising out of the employment. Your injury must result from a risk connected to your job. An Amazon warehouse worker who herniates a disc lifting packages satisfies this element. So does a construction worker struck by a vehicle in a work zone.

 

3. In the course of employment. You must be doing something related to your job when the accident happens. Generally, this means during work hours, at a place where you’re expected to be, and while performing work duties.

 

Virginia Code § 65.2-600 requires you to give your employer written notice within 30 days. Virginia Code § 65.2-601 gives you two years to file a formal claim with the Workers Compensation Commission.

 

Why this matters: Insurance companies deny claims by arguing you can’t prove one of these elements. They’ll say your injury was degenerative (not an “accident”), unrelated to work (not “arising out of”), or happened off the clock (not “in the course of”). An experienced Virginia Beach workers comp attorney knows how to build evidence that defeats these defenses.

 

Virginia Beach Workplace Accidents in the News

 

Work injuries happen every day in Virginia Beach. Most never make the news. But serious accidents involving construction zones, industrial sites, and transportation workers often do.

 

July 2025: Construction Worker Struck on I-64

A 44-year-old construction worker was seriously injured on I-64 near Indian River Road when a driver entered a coned-off construction zone and struck him head-on. The worker was cutting concrete behind a self-propelled saw cutter in a closed lane when the collision occurred. The driver was arrested and charged with DUI/maiming, reckless driving, and other offenses. (WAVY News)

 

This case illustrates several important points about Virginia Beach workers’ comp claims:

 

  • Highway work zone injuries are common. Construction workers on Virginia Beach roads face constant danger from passing traffic, even in marked and coned areas.

 

  • Third-party claims may apply. When a non-employer causes your work injury (like a drunk driver), you may have both a workers’ comp claim and a separate personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

 

  • Criminal charges don’t guarantee compensation. Even when the person who hurt you faces criminal prosecution, you still need to pursue your civil remedies separately.

 

If you were injured in a Virginia Beach work zone or struck by a vehicle while working, call me immediately. These cases require coordination between workers comp benefits and potential third-party recovery.

 

What Benefits Can You Get for a Virginia Beach Work Injury?

 

Benefit What It Covers Example
Temporary Total Disability Two-thirds of wages when you cannot work $1,200/week wages = ~$800/week TTD
Temporary Partial Disability Wage difference when you return at reduced pay Covers gap between old and new earnings
Lifetime Medical All treatment related to work injury Surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, imaging
Permanent Partial Disability Compensation for lasting impairment Based on impairment rating, even if you return to work
Death Benefits Support for surviving dependents Spouse and children receive ongoing payments
Lump-Sum Settlement One-time payout to resolve claim Accounts for future wages, medical, impairment, risk of losing at trial

 

The hard truth: Most injured workers who handle claims without a lawyer leave money on the table. Insurance adjusters know exactly how to minimize payouts. They do it every day. You’re doing it for the first time.

 

Questions about benefits? Call (757) 810-5614.

Who Defends Virginia Beach Workers Comp Claims?

 

Many claims are administered by third-party administrators (TPAs) like:

 

 

Some Virginia Beach employers, however, are self-insured for workers compensation.

 

What they do that hurts your case:

 

    • Delay treatment authorization until you give up or pay out of pocket
    • Deny causation by blaming pre-existing conditions or “degenerative changes”
    • Lowball settlement offers hoping you’ll accept out of desperation
    • Send you to their doctors who minimize your restrictions
    • Request recorded statements to find inconsistencies they can use against you

 

They work for your employer, not for you. Every dollar they don’t pay you is money they save their client.

 

Virginia Beach Workers Comp Hearings

 

Virginia Workers Compensation Commission – Virginia Beach Regional Office 281 Independence Blvd., Suite 310 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 552-1117

 

This office handles cases from Virginia Beach and the surrounding cities.

 

Deputy Commissioners

Name Phone Notes
Lynne M. Ferris (757) 648-7111 Certified Mediator
Terry Jenkins (757) 648-7109 Certified Mediator
Lee E. Wilder (757) 648-7108 Often handles hearings at satellite locations

 

 

Choosing the Right Doctor in Virginia Beach

 

Your employer controls the initial panel of physicians (Virginia Code Section 65.2-603 says so). Common providers include Sentara hospitals, Bon Secours, Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists, Jordan-Young Institute, and OrthoVirginia.

 

Why this matters: Some panel doctors routinely minimize restrictions and release workers back to full duty before they’re ready. Others understand that injured workers need time to heal and document impairment accurately.

 

Choosing the wrong doctor can quietly destroy your case. Call me before you decide.

 

How a Virginia Beach Workers Compensation Lawyer Helps

 

Before your claim is filed:

    • Select claimant-friendly physicians from the panel
    • Advise you on what to say (and not say) to the adjuster

 

While your claim is pending:

    • Build medical and vocational evidence to support your case
    • File claims correctly and on time to protect the statute of limitations
    • Defend your deposition and respond to discovery
    • Push back on delayed or denied treatment

 

When it’s time to resolve your case:

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long do I have to file a workers comp claim in Virginia Beach?

30 days to report. Two years to file. Report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. File a formal claim with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission within two years. Miss either deadline and you may lose your right to benefits entirely. The insurance company knows these deadlines. They’re counting on you to miss them.

 

What if the insurance company denies my claim?

Fight it. Many valid claims are initially denied. The Commission will schedule a hearing before a deputy commissioner where you present medical evidence and testimony. I’ve won hundreds of denied claims. The denial letter is not the final word.

 

Can I choose my own doctor for a work injury?

Not exactly. Your employer controls the panel, but they must offer at least three physicians. The doctor you choose from that panel can make or break your case. Some doctors work with injured employees. Others work against them. I know which is which in Virginia Beach.

 

How much is my Virginia Beach workers comp case worth?

It depends on several things, including: your average weekly wage, severity of injury, whether you need surgery, the amount of your outstanding medical bills, your permanent impairment rating, and whether you can return to your pre-injury job. Review my workers comp settlement charts for examples. But the real answer requires reviewing your specific medical records and employment situation.

 

Do I really need a lawyer for a workers comp claim?

You can go without one. Most people shouldn’t. The insurance company has adjusters, nurse case managers, defense attorneys, and doctors working to minimize your claim. You’re facing that alone while injured and stressed. Several studies show that represented workers recover more than unrepresented workers. My fee comes out of the recovery, not your pocket.

 

Get a Virginia Beach Workers Compensation Lawyer Who Fights for You

 

I’ve recovered more than $100 million for injured workers across Virginia and have been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. More importantly, I know how Virginia Beach cases are actually decided and how to position yours to win.

 

Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Win.

 

Call (757) 810-5614