Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability; view more
Licensed in Virginia since: 1988
Education: University of Virginia School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2013, 2015 - 2025 Call today:
757-333-3333
Free Consultation Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers
125 St Pauls BlvdSte 510
Norfolk, VA 23510 Visit website
Details
John M. Cooper is a veteran personal injury lawyer and a founding partner of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in Norfolk, Virginia. He represents people who have been injured due to the fault of another in car, truck and motorcycle accidents, premises liability cases, defective products cases, railroad worker injuries and wrongful death cases. He has worked in the personal injury field for more than 30 years.
After receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, John earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988. John is admitted to practice before all state courts in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. His firm has client meeting locations in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, and Exmore on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Mr. Cooper has secured multiple verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million for his clients. In 2020, he obtained the largest reported recovery in Virginia that year, $6,500,000, for a single car accident plaintiff who become quadriplegic after his accident. John’s other recent results include a $5,800,000 settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim and a $4,725,000 settlement for an auto accident victim who suffered vision impairment and multiple fractures.
John’s strong record has earned him numerous honors, including a Top Lawyer designation by Coastal Virginia Magazine, a VA “Super Lawyer” designation (awarded to only 5% of lawyers in Virginia), and an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given, for his reputation in the practice of law. He is also rated 10 out of 10 (“Superb”) by Avvo and is ranked among the top 100 trial lawyers in Virginia. John served for a decade on the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Board of Governors and served as Chair of the FELA Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice from 2011 to 2017. John regularly teaches about personal injury law for attorney groups like the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association and the Virginia Beach Bar Association.
In 2015, Mr. Cooper was elected as a Governor at Large for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association after serving many years on the Board of Governors. Mr. Cooper has also served as chair of the FELA Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice and is an active participant in the Norfolk & Portsmouth and Virginia Beach bar associations. Frequently asked to speak before groups of fellow professionals on matters relating to his practice area, he has written several articles for continuing legal education presentations and has authored numerous books on personal injury topics.
In addition to his professional service, John is also extremely active in Hampton Roads civic, non-profit, and religious communities. Through Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Cares, his firm’s philanthropic and outreach initiative, John ensures that significant contributions are made to Hampton Roads charitable organizations each year. Recently, John directed the firm to donate $5,000 to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, which sponsored more than 12,500 meals for local residents. John served as the Ohef Sholom Temple President.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Products: PlaintiffFocus areas
Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 50% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 30% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1988, Virginia
Professional Webpage: https://cooperhurley.com/our-attorneys/john-cooper/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Featured speaker at the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association Annual Conference Panel. Shared expertise as plaintiff's attorney with approximately 100 local attorneys. , 2023
- Featured speaker at the National Business Institute's Mini Med School for Attorneys, 2021
- The American Association for Justice, 2021
- Chair of CLE Committee, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association , 2019
- Virginia Beach Bar Association, 2019
- American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA). Railroad Section Executive Committee member and Secretary/Treasurer of the FELA Litigation Group, 2019
- Elected Governor at Large for Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2019
- Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association. Past member of the Attorney Referral System Committee, 2019
- District Governor of the Second District, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2011-2015, 2015
- Co-Chair of Litigation Support Committee, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2011
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Membership Committee (2009). Underinsured Motorist Coverage Law Sub-Committee (2009), 2009
- 2002 - Present, West Virginia State Bar, 2002
- 2001 - Present, North Carolina State Bar, 2001
- 1988 - Present Virginia State Bar, 1988
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- John Cooper secured a $6,000,000 result for a veteran who became paralyzed after a fall. It was the 8th largest settlement in Virginia for the year. , 2022
- $6,500,000.00 settlement - We obtained the largest reported recovery in Virginia for a single-car accident victim in 2020., 2020
- $5,800,000 settlement - for a traumatic brain injury victim., 2020
- $4.725 Million settlement - for adolescent auto accident victim., 2020
- Chesapeake mother that suffered traumatic brain injury awarded $650,000, 2020
- Over 5,000,0000 in traumatic brain injury case, 2020
- Trip and fall injury. Settled for $400,000.00. Plaintiff’s leg was shattered when he was tripped by unsafe walking conditions in the strip between the sidewalk and the curb in front of a new home for sale. Plaintiff, a 75-year-old, and his wife were in Hampton Roads, Virginia attending an open house when he was caused to trip and fall due to improperly secured straw matting used for erosion control. Plaintiff suffered multiple fractures of the femur and knee, requiring three operations and permanent hardware. As a result of the injury, plaintiff lost two years of his life. The builder/owner of the new house fought liability strenuously. Experts disagreed about whether the straw matting was properly installed. Contributory negligence and assumption arguments were problems for the plaintiff. Even proof of the exact mechanism of injury and condition of the matting was in controversy. Finally, the defense orthopedic surgeon claimed that the second and third surgeries were caused by an event where plaintiff banged his foot, not the original trip., 2019
- Virginia Beach resident awarded $575,000 after traumatic brain injury and facial fracture , 2019
- Unsafe noise exposure damages man’s hearing, balance, and career. Settled for $1,150,000.000. Plaintiff, a heavy equipment mechanic, suffered permanent hearing loss and tinnitus with continuing balance problems and falls. As a result of the injury and subsequent falls, plaintiff developed mild traumatic brain injury symptoms and could not return to his old job. His quality of life has been significantly diminished, especially his raising two pre-teen children as the sole custodial parent. The primary fights were over medical causation and alleged lack of mitigation of damages by not returning to some kind of work. In the months before trial, an endolymphatic sac surgery was performed to try to lessen the vestibular problems. Though apparently successful, the operation would not likely alleviate all balance issues, according to the ear, nose and throat surgeon., 2019
- Drunk driver operating company vehicle causes traumatic brain injury to mother traveling with child. A $700,000.00 settlement was obtained for a single mother who was lawfully stopped with her eight year old daughter as a passenger when a drunk driver, operating a pick-up truck owned by his employer, collided into the rear of plaintiff's car. The property damage was moderate at best. The defendant driver pleaded guilty to a DUI. However, the corporate defendant claimed no respondeat superior applied for this after-work event. The plaintiff suffered a concussion and had lingering neuropsychological symptoms affecting her work and parental quality of life. The defense hired doctors who hotly contested the extent of, and causation on, plaintiff’s continuing psychological and cognitive issues., 2018
- Wrong way driver injures truck driver and kills self in head-on collision. Settled for $862,500.00. Plaintiff, an on-duty truck driver, was struck head-on by a wrong way speeding driver. Plaintiff suffered cervical injuries overlayed on pre-existing stenosis. Acute stress symptoms were present immediately at the scene. The PTSD and claimed TBI persisted. The combination of physical and psychological injuries prevented plaintiff’s return to work. Limits of insurance posed challenges to resolution. Mediation was a two-step process with the carrier agreeing to close that case with a substantial reduction in the lien., 2018
- Burn injury results in amputation and TBI $1,500,000.00, 2018
- Plaintiff was a passenger traveling on westbound Interstate 64. Defendant failed to brake when the heavy traffic stopped and rear-ended the vehicle. Plaintiff’s counsel argued that althoughnPlaintiff’s treatment was conservative, the TBI, the direct impact with the dashboard, the broken jaw, and subsequent nervedamage are all very real injuries. Case settled for $400,000, 2018
- We represented a high school junior that was rear ended by a business owner driving a company vehicle that failed to brake. Our client suffered extensive injuries that resulted in her missing a semester of her junior year and the chance of playing collegiate softball. The case settled in mediation 2 months before trial for 1,200,000., 2018
- A woman sustained a torn rotator cuff, a fractured elbow, and a neck injury after she was hit by a student who failed to yield the right of way. The woman was awarded $343,919 at mediation., 2018
- The plaintiff, a senior citizen, was a customer at a local restaurant. As she was walking through the dining area, she caught her foot on a black, rubber mat which was not flush with the floor causing her to fall to the floor. Upon impact with the ground, Plaintiff felt a pop in her right shoulder and immediately experienced pain. Plaintiff received emergency medical attention following her fall and x-rays revealed a four-part fracture of her right, proximal humerus which required surgical repair. Case settled for $375,000., 2018
- Mother (83 years old) and Daughter (66 years old) were driving to get breakfast when they attempted a left turn from Route 13 in Northampton County. The Plaintiffs alleged the Defendant, while driving a personal automobile, ran a red light causing a t-bonecollision. Both Plaintiffs were knocked unconscious as a result of the crash. The case settled for 1,150,000 (Mother $525,000; Daughter $625,000)., 2017
- The decedent was a beloved daughter and sister who was killed in a car crash as a passenger when her vehicle was rear ended by a drunk driver in Norfolk, Virginia. Resolution of the case took place shortly after the conviction of the defendant on the DUI charges and sentencing settling for $1,000,000., 2017
- A sailor fell from an unsafe ladder in a ship. She suffered a mild traumatic brain injury, knee, neck and back injuries. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers filed a case under maritime law and the woman was awarded $500,000., 2017
- The plantiff purchased a ladder online to install in his home. Unknown to the customer, the ladder was made from chipboard. The ladder system had a catastrophic failure anddumped the victim onto a cement floor. Plantiffs injuries included: multiple vertebral fractures, multiple rib fractures, nerve damage to lower extremity, and a broken hip. The case settled for 925,000, 2017
- A man who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury when he was rear-ended by a dump truck in Virginia Beach was awarded a $350,000 settlement at mediation., 2016
- Pick-up truck driver was awarded a settlement of $425,000 after suffering shoulder injuries when he collided with a 19-year-old driver who made a left-turn through a solid green light in Chesapeake, Virginia., 2016
- A tow truck operator was hit by a drunk driver in Newport News and seriously injured. He was awarded $895,000 after settlement negotiations., 2016
- A 21-year-old suffered brain damage in an accident when he was hit by a red light runner in Virginia Beach. He was awarded $815,000 at mediation., 2015
- A highway worker was hit by a drunk driver on I-264 in Norfolk. He suffered an amputation of both legs. The worker received $2.86 million at settlement - $936,775 for a personal injury claim., 2015
- John Cooper's client slipped on a hose after an employee of a fast food restaurant directed him over a landscaped area, breaking a hip and a finger. He was awarded $125,000., 2014
- A flight stewardess was awarded $400,000 in a premises liability case after a heavy wooden treatment fell on her head at a hotel in Virginia Beach., 2014
- John Cooper represented the family of man killed by a train driving a truck across a railroad crossing in Virginia. The wrongful death case led to a $700,000 settlement., 2014
- A van driver was hit by the driver of a box truck in Hampton Roads and was killed. John Cooper represented the van driver's family in a wrongful death case against the trucking company and secured $1.5 million at mediation., 2014
- A young sailor was hit by a truck on I-64 in Newport News. He suffered serious, career-threatening injuries. John Cooper represented the young man and secured a $550,000 settlement in 2013., 2013
- John Cooper secured a $225,000 settlement in the case of a woman who suffered neck, shoulder and hip injuries at an office building in which a janitor had left the floor wet., 2013
- A woman from Hampton, Virginia suffered multiple serious injuries when her car was hit by a construction truck in Gloucester County. Her injuries include broken ribs, a lacerated liver and spleen, a hip fracture, a fractured pelvis. Outcome - a $5 million settlement , 2012
- $400,000 settlement for a woman who lost her life in a Moped accident. She was a passenger on the MoPed and was hit by a car. I obtained co-counsel to assist in this Greenville, SC wrongful death claim. We reached the settlement and were able to secure damages for the victim's family.
- MACK truck with a trailer and water tank used on a farm collided on a highway with client, KC's, Toyota. MACK truck had worn and bald tires, but claimed unexpected, sudden emergency, tread separation caused the wreck. KC's leg was broken in two places and required surgical insertion of a metal rod, as well as a plate and screws. KC also suffered from psychological issues and depression as a result of the crash. KC, 45, was not able to return to her old job as a worker in a distribution warehouse. Outcome: The jury returned a verdict for $650,000.00 plus interest
- Our client, a 43 year old female, was admitted to the hospital for a hysterectomy, but the surgeons and staff completed the procedure leaving a surgical sponge inside her body, which was not discovered for a full six months. Outcome: $425,000.00 Settlement
- A commercial truck driver in a tractor-trailer rear ended a passenger vehicle on Interstate 64 (I-64) in Norfolk, Virginia (VA). Our client, a 25-year-old man from Portsmouth, VA was trapped in the passenger vehicle and lost his life. The trucker in deposition admitted that he did not see the passenger vehicle until a few seconds before he hit the car. We also established that the story given by the truck driver to the state troopers was inaccurate. The defense argued that the driver caused the crash by going 25 mph on the highway at night without hazards on. An independent witness indicated that the car was going extremely slowly and that he was barely able to avoid hitting it himself. The big rig operator, however, violated several safety rules from the Virginia CDL Manual. We also uncovered evidence of poorly controlled diabetes which the trucker had failed to adequately treat prior to the crash by not following doctor's orders and not taking his medication properly. Defendant contested whether the diabetes was a cause of the crash. Outcome: Our client was a gainfully employed and responsible person who voluntarily sent child support to his five-year-old daughter. The economic losses were limited to the likely child support and health insurance benefits through age 22 for the child. This led to a $3.5 million settlement plus the cost of mediation.
- Our client was a 32-year-old optician going to pick up her daughter at the time of the accident. It had been raining and the defendant/other vehicle was a woman from North Carolina who was lost and driving on the wrong side of the road in our client’s lane. A head-on collision occurred. Our client struck her head on the windshield starring and shattering the glass. She also jammed her foot hard into the brake as she was bracing for the oncoming impact. The client was taken by ambulance to Virginia Beach General emergency Room where she was diagnosed with closed head injury and neck spasm. Outcome: The jury returned a verdict after deliberating for approximately an hour at the very end of the second day of trial. Our client and our law firm showed State Farm that if we were not treated fairly that we were ready, willing and able to take the case to court. Awarded: $25,000.00
- As often happens in slip and fall cases involving ice, the ice formed what is commonly called "black ice." There was no way for our client to see this danger on the walking area where she had to do her job. Amtrak failed to keep a reasonably safe place to work for this train attendant. The company failed to inspect the area, repair the leak, and/or warn about the danger of the ice that formed. Outcome: Case settled after extensive negotiation with Amtrak about what the claim was worth for approximately $150,000.00.
- The plaintiff was an Old Dominion University student in summer school in his final year of ROTC. Another driver took a left turn, failing to yield the right of way in front of the young man’s motorcycle in Hampton, Virginia. He broke his leg and his army career was delayed. Outcome - a $150,000 settlement within a month of trial.
- Our client was operating her car on the way to work on Interstate 264 (I-264) when she was hit from behind by a young man’s car. Our client braced herself on the steering wheel because she could tell that the car was going to hit her while she was stopped for backed up traffic. Our client had a shoulder injury which ended up being a torn rotator cuff. The initial MRI on the shoulder did not show the tear and it was not discovered until later during an arthroscopic surgery. Outcome: Jury Verdict $50,000.00
- A Conductor trainee named VW was riding on the side of a railroad car rolling through the Pinners Point Yard in Portsmouth, VA. A hostler truck owned by CSX Intermodal, Inc. pulled onto the track in front of the train. The resulting collision knocked VW off of the side of the car and she hit her back and buttocks on the ballast rock. CSX Intermodal, Inc. is a separate corporate entity different from the VW's railroad employer, CSX Transportation, Inc. VW was treated for a contusion and had low back complaints since the collision date. VW treated primarily with her family doctor, who did refer her for an orthopaedic consult and an MRI. CSX Intermodal argued that there were no objective symptoms after the initial contusion healed. Outcome: A $650,000.00 jury verdict. (Note: the jury verdict was twenty times larger than what the insurer offered just before trial).
- Our client was a customer in a Maxway store in Murfreesboro, North Carolina when a metal shelf fell down striking her in the shoulder. The incident was reported to the store’s management immediately. Plaintiff alleged that the shelf was not properly secured. Outcome: $120,000.00 settlement.
Videos:
- John Cooper discusses the groundbreaking Camp Lejeune Justice Act and what it means for families exposed to toxic water at the Marine Corps base between 1953 to 1987., Water Contamination Cases at Camp Lejeune: What You Should Know, 2022
- John Cooper and paralegal Stephanie Adams discuss what railroad workers should know about FELA and on-the-job injuries. , FELA Cases Explained | Injured Railroad Worker FAQs, 2022
- Traumatic brain injuries are common yet misunderstood injuries that often occur in car accidents. John Cooper explains what one should know after experiencing such an injury., Webinar: What You Should Know About Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident, Personal Injury, 2021
- 2021 Commercial featuring John Cooper and Jim Hurley, Find Out What Your Case Is Worth - Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Commercial 2021, Personal Injury, 2021
- If you're hurt having been hit by a car when you're crossing the road, you have a right to make a claim against that driver who hit you. In Virginia, however, we have a bunch of very strict rules that say that if you, the injured person, were even one percent at fault in causing your own injury, then the insurance company can try to wriggle out of it and say they don't have to pay you anything. So, when you're crossing the road, stay in the crosswalk. If there is one, stay in that crosswalk. If the driver hits you in a crosswalk, there's very little argument that they can say it's your fault- you're entitled to be in the crosswalk. If you have to cross somewhere other than at an intersection at a corner, what you wanna do is go directly straight across the road, obviously looking out for traffic. If you start wandering sort of zig-zagging or going at an angle, that's much more dangerous and the law gives you less protection under those circumstances. And, I'm an older person; I don't have earbuds that I wear constantly, but what I always say to my children who are college-aged, is, take those earbuds out, or at least turn the music down for a minute while you're crossing the road because you need to be able to hear the traffic coming, and you need to be able to make sure that you're safe in crossing. But if you get hit as a pedestrian in Virginia, whether at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, or on the ODU campus as you're crossing Hampton Blvd., Please give us a call; we would love to talk to you about your rights and make sure that you're protected. , Your Rights As an Injured Pedestrian in Virginia, 2019
- I've handled dozens of traumatic brain injury cases in my career, usually at any given time, I'm representing several people who have suffered permanent traumatic brain injury symptoms. If you are thinking about hiring an attorney, and you or your loved one has a traumatic brain injury, you really want to make sure that the lawyer that you're picking is one who knows their way around a traumatic brain injury case. You know, I know the medicine,I know the doctors who are the top doctors in Virginia, who do this kind of medicine; I know how to present the case to human eyes- your individual situation to show the effect the brain injury has had on you. I know how to deal with the battle of the experts, because for every expert that we have that says you have a traumatic brain injury, they are going to find somebody who's gonna say, "No, that's not true." By the way, the tiebreaker in that is usually family and friends and co-workers;they're the people in the best position to show the difference in you before the brain injury and after the brain injury. These are the kinds of things I've learned through my decades of experience dealing with these cases; you want an attorney who knows their way around a TBI if you've suffered one, and you have a personal injury case that involves traumatic brain injury., Norfolk Car Accident Attorney That Specializes in TBI Cases, 2019
- Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers partners talk about the firm., Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers TV Commercial, 2018
- Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers partner John Cooper talks about his background., Meet John Cooper of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, 2018
- John Cooper of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers talks about truck accidents, Truck Accidents in Virginia, 2018
- Big rig crashes are among the most devastating of crashes. We help victims of these accidents., John Cooper Talks About Big Rig Crashes, 2018
- John Cooper of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers talks about his background., Meet John Cooper of Cooper Hurley, 2018
- FELA claims - John Cooper talks about how workers on the railroad are protected by the FELA legislation., Railroad Worker Accidents, Accidents On The Railroad, 2014
- Premises Liability - Personal injury lawyer John Cooper talks about how you can sue the owners of stores or other businesses, if you are hurt on someone else's premises., Virginia Beach Lawyer Talks About Premises Liability, 2014
- Hit and run drivers - not only is it morally reprehensible but hit-and-run drivers are often drunk says Norfolk personal injury lawyer John Cooper. , Hit and Run Accidents, Car Accidents, 2014
- Traumatic Brain Injury - head and brain injuries are among the most serious dealt with by personal injury lawyers says John Cooper of Cooper Hurley., Traumatic Brain Injuries, 2013
- Medical malpractice - why doctors and hospitals can be responsible for serious mistakes that cause injury by Norfolk personal injury lawyer John Cooper., Surgical Malpractice, 2013
- Back Injuries - Virginia injury lawyer John Cooper talks about herniated discs and other back injuries., Serious Back Injuries, 2013
- Trucking Accidents - John Cooper explains what you should do if you are injured in a trucking accident and how you can sue the trucking company., Trucking Accidents, 2013
- Drunk drivers - John Cooper of Cooper Hurley injury Lawyers talks about the problems caused by drunk drivers on the roads of Virginia and punitive damages., Drunk Drivers, 2012
- Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Videos, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Videos
Representative Clients:
- Client Review- At the onset of my journey I was nervous. I was hurt and didn't know what to do. I was out of work medical bills were piling up and I was unsure if there existed a road to redress and healing from injuries I had sustained at my job. But after a little research and being referred to by family I found Cooper Hurley Injury lawyers. After a free consultation my mind was set at ease and i knew I had met the right legal team. I was in the right hands. John Cooper and his team over the past year have worked tirelessly for my case. Words can not express my deep gratitude for all their hard work fighting for me and being in my corner in one of the arguably lowest parts of my life., 2022
- Attorney Review- John Cooper helped our law firm with a FELA Case; since we only handle Work Injuries in the private work place. John with his experience was able to make it really easy to understand. John really knows the ins and outs of the Federal Employer Liability Act (FELA). We send all our FELA cases to Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. , 2021
- Avvo Client Review - Thank you guys! You were the best an injured person could have! No unreturned calls an so much understanding. You walk in my shoes, an helped to resolve it. John Cooper, Charles, Stephanie, Tiffany, Brittany....thank you an may God continue to bless you!, 2020
- Avvo Client Review - Very professional. John understood what I was feeling. Some attorneys are pushy, but John doesn't do it for the money. He actually cared about me. His team always kept me notified. I would recommend him to any and everybody., 2019
- From the day of the accident to the arrival of compensation John Cooper and his team were the utmost professionals. They are organized, efficient, and excellent with communication., 2019
- Client testimonial: "I was afraid and upset due to my injury, but my attorney, John Cooper, generously gave his time and ear to ease me through the process and he was there for me day and night. I will always be grateful to him for that. Thanks again John Cooper and staff."
- Testimonial from a client who was hurt in a car accident: "I was very happy with lawyer John Cooper and his handling my car accident case. I applied to be John's paralegal in his personal injury law firm some time ago. When I got hurt in a car accident, I knew who I should call. The most important thing with a lawyer is that they provide good communication. John was always ready to take the phone with me when I needed to talk. He made me feel comfortable calling him."
- Testimonial from client hurt in a trip and fall accident: "I want to let you know how much I appreciate your hard work on my accident case. The overall result in terms of money was very good and I appreciate the quick way that you handled the case. I was impressed by your professional courtesy in always returning phone calls. I like to deal with people who are honest and who keep their word. You are that kind of straight shooter. You always told me exactly what to expect as the insurance claim went forward and made me feel comfortable. When I need an attorney in northeast North Carolina I am going to call you and I recommend you to anyone else who is seriously hurt because you went the extra mile for me."
- Railroad workers on CSX, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern Railway and their families.
- Testimonial from client injured in a car wreck: "I want to thank you for showing so much compassion in the handling of my automobile accident case. I was in a lot of pain from the wreck physically and emotionally. You went above and beyond the call of duty for an attorney. I would certainly recommend anyone I know in Tidewater, Virginia to you for a car wreck injury case. I appreciate all you have done to help me in handling the lawsuit and getting me through this tough time."
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- John has represented injured persons in federal and state courts, including the Virginia Supreme Court. He has been admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia and the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also been admitted to practice law in West Virginia and North Carolina
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Brought on and mentored a summer intern to shadow legal group., 2022
- 2021 - Present, Ohef Sholom Temple President, 2022
- Brought on two summer interns to shadow legal group., 2021
- Directed the firm to donate $5,000 to Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore., 2020
- University of Virginia Parents Committee
- Brain Injury Association of Virginia - Group Member, 2018
- President of Ohef Sholom Temple Men's Club, Norfolk, VA, 2005-2007.
- John Cooper was an organizer and panelist at the Virginia Beach Bar Association seminar Personal Injury Law from the Perspectives of the Court, Defendant, Plaintiff and Insurance Adjuster. The event was held on September 26, 2013 at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art., 2013
- Prior Tidewater Chapter president and Board member of the National Conference for Community and Justice
- Norfolk Academy Alumni Volunteer
- Board Member Ohef Sholom Temple, Norfolk, VA
- Prior Board member of the Tidewater, Virginia, Southside Jewish Community Center (JCC).
Honors/Awards:
- Was voted by peers as a Top Lawyer in Coastal Virginia. , Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia, CoVaBIZ Magazine, 2023
- Was named by Virginia Business Magazine as a member of the Virginia Business Legal Elite. , Virginia Business Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine, 2022
- Recognized by Coastal Virginia Magazine for personal injury, Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia, Coastal Virginia Magazine, 2022
- Recognized by Coastal Virginia Magazine for personal injury, Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia, CoVa Biz Magazine, 2021
- Lawyers of Distinction - Personal Injury Law, Lawyers of Distinction, 2021
- CoVa BIZ’s Top Lawyers peer-to-peer survey conducts polls in the legal field to identify the attorneys who exemplify excellence in their various fields. Cova Biz lists the top rated legal professionals in the Coastal Virginia area., Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia, CoVa Biz Magazine, 2020
- This awards program recognizes the lawyers across the commonwealth who are setting the standard for other Virginia lawyers. “Leaders” are recognized for changing the law, serving the community, changing practice or improving Virginia’s justice system, among other accomplishments., Leaders in the Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2019
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the leading trial lawyers in every state., Top 100 Trial Lawyers in VA, The National Trial Lawyers, 2019
- Highest rating (AV) granted to attorneys from Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Rating Service, meaning John has a reputation among other lawyers and judges as being highly ethical and of very high to pre-eminent legal ability, 2019
- Ranked 10 of 10 (“Superb”) by AVVO, a national lawyer assessment service, 2019
- CoVa BIZ’s Top Lawyers peer-to-peer survey conducts polls in the legal field to identify the attorneys who exemplify excellence in their various fields. Cova Biz lists the top rated legal professionals in the Coastal Virginia area., Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia, CoVa Biz Magazine, 2019
- Elected Governor at Large for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2015, 2019
- Attorney reputation assessment system, showing the highest level of skill and ethics., AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, 2018
- Chair of the Railroad Law Section of the AAJ (2008-2014), 2014
- “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in VA”, 2011, Top 100 Trial Lawyers in VA, The National Trial Lawyers, 2011
- Member since 2011 in the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Roundtable, Multimillion Dollar Advocates Roundtable, Multimillion Dollar Advocates, 2011
- Law clerk to the Honorable Rebecca Beach Smith (currently chief federal judge in the United States District Court, Norfolk Division), drafting memoranda, opinions, and orders in civil and criminal cases, 1988
- Elected in 2010 and Re-elected again every year through 2015 as a District Governor from the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area to the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association’s Board of Governors
- Phi Beta Kappa (undergraduate academic honor society) University of California, Berkley Chapter
- Designated Legal Counsel for the Transportation Communications International Union (TCIU) (railroad workers’ union)
Educational Background:
- University of Virginia, J.D., 1988
- University of California at Berkeley, BA, 1985
White Papers:
- www.hsinjurylaw.com/testimonials.cfm
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- While staying organized can lead to success or failure, how do you present this information to the judge or jury so that they fully understand your evidence? John Cooper leads an interactive discussion on strategies and helpful tips to keep you on top of your game., Featured Speaker, Advanced Auto Retreat, Working With a Ton of Information in Your VA Practice, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2022
- John Cooper discusses doctor depositions and cross examinations from the perspective of a personal injury trial attorney., Featured Speaker, Mini Med School for Attorneys, Doctor Depositions and Cross Examinations, National Business Institute, 2021
- Legal cases involving medical issues require a strong grasp of how the body functions, how injuries impede those functions and what the prognoses and treatments look like. In this online seminar, the unique blend of medical and legal insights were shared to help attorneys evaluate, take on and defend cases involving injuries., Featured Speaker, Mini Med School for Attorneys, Traumatic Brain Injuries Made Simple, National Business Institute, Personal Injury, 2021
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are devastating, yet insurance companies fight hard against TBI claims. John wrote the book on traumatic brain injuries to give victims and their families valuable insight on how these complex cases are proved and won., Author, The Traumatic Brain Injury Toolkit: Everything a Client Needs to Know After Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury, 2021
- The fourth edition of The Best Book About Virginia Car Accidents and Injuries writtien by law partners John Cooper, Jim Hurley, and Bill O'Mara. , Author, The Best Book About Virginia Car Accidents and Injuries, 2019
- John Cooper chaired four seminars in Virginia in May 2016 about effective settlement practices for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association., Chair, Effective Settlement Practices, Virginia Trial Lawyers Associaiton, 2016
- Top 10 Tips If You are Injured at a Store, Hotel or Restaurant in Virginia is a book about premises liability written by John Cooper and Bill O'Mara of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers., Co-author, Top 10 Tips if You Are Injured at a Store, Hotel or Restaurant in Virginia, book, 2015
- Presenter, Injury Law Insights and Issues, Virginia Beach Bar Association, 2015
- Presenter, Advanced Auto Retreat -- Modern Marketing for the Monster Case: Captain John "Ahab" Cooper on Landing the Great Green Whale (Without Losing Your License or Leg), Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2015
- John Cooper presented his research on premises liability to the bar association in a presentation that earned 3 CLE credits and one ethics credit, Faculty, Injury Law Insights and Issues, Norfolk And Portsmouth Bar Association, 2014
- The Best Book About Virginia Trucking Accidents - John Cooper co-authored The Best Book About Virginia Trucking Accidents with his law partner Jim Hurley at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. The book is a user-friendly pocket guide for people who have been hurt in trucking crashes., Co-Author, The Best Book About Virginia Trucking Accidents, 2014
- The Best Book About Virginia Car Accidents & Injuries. John Cooper co-authored The Best Book About Virginia Car Accidents & Injuries with his partner Jim Hurley of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. The book is a user-friendly guide to help people who have been involved in car accidents in Virginia., The Best Book About Virginia Car Accidents & Injuries, Word Association Publishers, 2013
- Presented about personal injury law from the perspective of the court, defendant, plaintiff, and insurance adjuster, Presenter, Virginia Beach Bar Association, 2013
- Presenter of medical records as evidence in Virginia, Presenter, Virginia State Bar Association, 2013
- Raised current topics in injury litigation from the plaintiff, defense, and judge's viewpoints, Presenter, Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, 2012
- John Cooper's article in the Journal of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association in 2012 outlines the number of ethical rules that come into play when lawyers handle personal injury cases in Virginia including those of advertising and solicitation. The piece is written from the perspective of the plaintiff lawyer and is geared toward a standard automobile negligence case., Author, Personal Injury Ethics Made Easy, The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Journal, 2012
- Your Rights When You are Injured on the Railroad. John Cooper co-authored this pocket guide with his law partner Jim Hurley. The guide is a resource for railroad workers who are injured on the job., Co-author, Your Rights When You are Injured on the Railroad, Railroad, 2012
- Presented at an AAJ Convetion: Hot Topics in Railroad Law, tips on avoiding the release in a railroad site inspection were outlined., Presenter, Avoiding the Release in a Railroad Site Inspection, AAJ Convention - Hot Topics in Railroad Law, 2012
- Adressed issues regading litigation of the uninsured and underinsured motorist claim, Presenter, NBI, 2012
- Panelist: FELA Appellate Update, Panelist, AAJ Convention - Railroad Law Section, 2011
- Addressed the Virginia Beach Bar Association on the topic of wrongful death and truck accident cases., Presenter, Wrongful Death and Truck Wreck Cases, Virginia Beach Bar Association, 2011
- Addressed proper eithics with regard to car accident law, Presenter, Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, 2010
- Teacher, Handling the Auto Injury Claim, NBI, 2009
- Teacher, Handling a Personal Injury Case: Phone Call to Verdict, Virginia Beach Bar Association, 2009
- Education Program Planner & Moderator, AAJ Railroad Law Section, American Association of Justice, 2009
- Presenter, FELA Cumulative Trauma Cases, AAJ Railroad Law Section, 2008
- Teacher, How to Successfully Resolve Automobile Injury Cases, NBI, 2007
- Teacher, Motions In Limine and Jury Voir Dire in Injury Cases, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
- Teacher, Effectively Using Medical Evidence in Court, National Business Institute, 2006
- Teacher, A Primer on Federal Employers' Liability Act and Railroad Injury Cases, Virginia CLE, 2003
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- 2019 Leader in the Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly This awards program recognizes the lawyers across the commonwealth who are setting the standard for other Virginia lawyers. “Leaders” are recognized for changing the law, serving the community, changing practice or improving Virginia’s justice system, among other accomplishments., 2019
- Received "AV" Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which means John has a reputation among other lawyers and judges as being highly ethical and of being very high, to pre-eminent, in his legal ability. "Superb" rating on Avvo, a prominent legal rating service., 2019
Industry Groups:
- Railroad
Selections
15 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2013, 2015 - 2025
