Harrisonburg is a city with a diverse population that is rich in arts and culture, as well as quality higher education. It is located in the midst of the Shenandoah Valley and surrounded by the beautiful Alleghany and Blue Ridge mountains.

The independent city of Harrisonburg is the County Seat of Rockingham County. It occupies 17.6 square miles. The population in 2013 was 51,395. Between 2000 and 2013, the population of the city increased by 27 percent. The population density was 2,927 per square mile. Due to commuting patterns, the daytime population was 15.8 percent higher than the resident population.

Harrisonburg is a city of many parks, ranging from a dog park to golf courses, to tennis courts, to a skate park, and hiking and cycling venues. Two of the city’s notable parks are:

• The Welcome Home Garden, which is “a living statement of appreciation and support for young men and women returning home from service overseas as soldiers, sailors, marines, missionaries,” and others. The purpose of the park is to provide a site for public receptions for returning veterans.
• A Dream Come True Playground is a totally accessible and inclusive playground with a number of unique features to assist children with special needs. It has separate equipment for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds.

Special Venues and Points of Interest

Harrisonburg is a mecca for bicyclists and home to a large biking community. It is the starting point for numerous trails in the city and in the Shenandoah Valley.

The Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, baked goods, greenhouse plants, and other locally produced goods and crafts.

Museums and Galleries offer a variety of cultural experiences. Some are located on the campuses of the Universities located in the city. Of particular interest are the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Civil War Orientation Center, the Valley Turnpike Museum, and the Virginia Quilt Museum.

The many restaurants located in the City offer a range of cuisines that make Harrisonburg a popular dining spot.

The City also provides access to a number of outdoor activity venues, including:

• Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
• Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail
• Massanutten Ski Resort
• Shenandoah National Park
• Blue Ridge Skyline Parkway Drive
• Civil War Trails

Of particular interest to many visitors is the Wilderness Road, Virginia’s Heritage Migration Route. As the City of Harrisonburg grew, it became a central point on the Great Valley Road. The City and adjoining Rockingham County became home to many Brethren and Mennonites. These Christian Anabaptist denominations are among the historic peace churches. The Wilderness Road was a major route traveled by settlers into the Shenandoah Valley. A number of structures and museums are open to visitors at various points along the Wilderness Road.

Harrisonburg is also an access point to 1,000 miles of public trout and warm water fishing opportunities. The nearby George Washington National Forest also provides abundant hunting opportunities.

Our team members enjoy outdoor activities. But we are aware that sometimes things go wrong and people are injured or killed in these venues. Sometimes the injured parties are responsible for the incident that caused their injuries, but often accidents occur due to the wrongdoing or negligence of another person or due to dangerous or defective products. If you or a loved one are injured through no fault of your own, we encourage you to call us to discuss your injuries. You may be eligible for compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost time from work, and more. We have the experience to help you evaluate your rights under Virginia law, and to aggressively pursue appropriate compensation for you.

Higher Education

Two universities are located in Harrisonburg.

• James Madison University, founded in 1908, has a current enrollment of 21,227 and offers 124 degree programs on the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. In 2016 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranked the school among the top 100 “Best Values in Public Colleges.” U.S. News and World Report ranked it the number 2 top public school in the South for 2017.
• Eastern Mennonite University is dedicated to helping students to discover their purpose in life and prepare to make a difference for the common good at home and around the world. The school offers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs from a Mennonite perspective, although the student body represents a range of religious and cultural backgrounds. The Current enrollment is 1,870.

Health Care

Like many cities surrounded by rural areas, Harrisonburg is a center for medical and health care for its citizens and those from surrounding counties. Rockingham Memorial Hospital and its related Hospital Hospice provide quality health care. Several nursing and rehabilitation centers also provide medical care to the community. Several home health centers and home health services providers also provide medical and health care services.

Health care providers are typically well trained and deeply committed to providing quality care. Yet occasionally mistakes are made and patients suffer or die as a result of these mistakes. If you, or a loved one, are injured as a result of medical negligence or malpractice, you have the right to pursue a financial settlement from the practitioner’s insurance company. Insurance companies often make it difficult for people to obtain the full compensation they are entitled to under Virginia law. A medical malpractice attorney, such as Bettina Altizer, can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf or, if necessary, pursue legal action for you. If you have been harmed by medical malpractice or negligence, call us immediately. We will help you evaluate your rights and protect you from further harm.

Business and Industry

Harrisonburg’s thriving economy is based upon diverse businesses in a range of industries. Top industries in the City are Government, Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Services, Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and more.

Top employers in the City of Harrisonburg include:

• James Madison University
• Harrisonburg City Public Schools
• City of Harrisonburg
• Aramark Campus (food services for universities)
• Tenneco Automotive Operations
• George’s Foods
• Eastern Mennonite University
• Fairfield and Sons, LTD
• Wal Mart
• Virginia Mennonite Retirement
• Sentara Healthcare

Other leading employers include publishing and printing companies (R.R. Donnelley and Banta), Plastic products manufacturing, poultry producers, construction companies, and a range of wholesale distribution and retail sales organizations.

Despite careful adherence to safety standards, mistakes are made in the workplace and people are injured. If you are injured in the workplace through no fault of your own, you have a right to just compensation. If the employer was negligent or otherwise responsible for your injury, you may have a right to civil action. If you are having difficulties with the employer’s insurance company or if you have reason to believe your injuries resulted from the employer’s negligence, failure to observe safety standards, or failure to update or maintain equipment, call us. We can help you determine if you have grounds for legal action and represent you in obtaining appropriate compensation for your injuries.

Call Altizer Law, P.C.

Harrisonburg is a beautiful city in an area of spectacular natural beauty. It is surrounded by an amazing playground. It is served by two Interstate highways and several Primary State Highways where people drive at high speed. If you are injured in a traffic crash on a highway or in the city through no fault of your own, the legal team of Altizer Law, P.C., can help you evaluate your situation and pursue just compensation for your hurts and harms. Call us for compassionate care and aggressive pursuit of justice on your behalf.