Inman & Strickler, P.L.C
Steve Strickler has been practicing law for over 45 years. Over the last 20 years he has concentrated solely on workers’ compensation and disability claims, garnering his clients over $35 million in settlements. He was named a Top Lawyer for workers’ compensation law by Coastal Virginia Magazine in 2025 and 2026, and was also named a Best Lawyer for 2027 for representation of claimants in workers’ compensation cases. Over the past 20 years he has been responsible for over $35 million in settlements of workers’ compensation cases for injured workers.
Steve first engaged in a general litigation practice with a firm in Norfolk. He moved his practice to Virginia Beach in 1988 and joined with Mike Inman, later forming the current firm of Inman & Strickler.
Early in his career Steve defended workers' compensation claims on behalf of insurance carriers. Through that work he saw firsthand how often injured workers faced an uphill battle in dealing with the insurance system, and he realized his experience could be put to better use representing injured workers instead. Over the past 25 to 30 years he has concentrated on workers' compensation and disability claims, and he now represents only injured workers in his workers' compensation practice.
Steve currently represents injured workers before the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission and the Virginia Court of Appeals. He and his staff focus on staying in close contact with injured workers so they are able to maintain both their medical benefits and their weekly compensation payments. That close contact — regular updates from Stephen and his paralegal on every development in a case — is also why most of his new clients come from referrals by former clients, friends and family.
In many cases Steve is able to reach reasonable and appropriate settlements of workers' compensation claims. In the past 20 years alone he has garnered settlements in excess of $35 million for injured workers. Because he previously represented employers and insurance carriers in workers' compensation matters, he brings considerable insight into how insurance carriers and their attorneys approach and defend these claims.
One case that stands out to Steve: in the mid-1990s he represented a truck driver who suffered a fall that severely injured his thoracic spine, causing partial paralysis in both arms and both legs. The claim was initially accepted as compensable, but given the severity of the injury, Steve believed his client was entitled to permanent total disability benefits — weekly benefits for life. After years of contesting the claim with the insurance carrier, the case ultimately settled for half a million dollars, one year before the client passed away, allowing his widow a reasonable return for what the family had endured. The case spanned 27 years from start to finish — an example of the patience and persistence Steve brings to every claim.
Steve also represents injured workers in disability applications before the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). Because his workers' compensation practice places considerable focus on medical issues, he is also able to provide an analysis of potential medical malpractice claims.
Steve and his staff provide free consultations regarding potential workers' compensation claims, potential disability claims and medical malpractice evaluations
Personal:
Mr. Strickler is married. His wife, Lynda, is a retired Social Worker. They have two daughters. He enjoys golf and traveling to Charlottesville and San Diego to visit their daughters and their grandchildren.
After graduating from law school Mr. Strickler served as a Lieutenant in the USAR from 1971–1973 and then as a Captain in the JAGGC USAR from 1973–1980.