Virginia Wrongful Death Attorneys Pursue Payment for Bereaved Clients
Compassionate Hampton Roads lawyers work to secure maximum compensation
Under Virginia law, wrongful death is when someone dies due to the “wrongful act, neglect or default” of another person or entity. When such a death occurs, whether in an accident or an intentional act, the liable party may be sued for various types of damages. At Hunter Law firm, our compassionate Hampton Roads attorneys do not back down in seeking financial justice in wrongful death cases. When you have tragically lost a family member, you can rely on us to work diligently in pursuing compensation for survivors. Our skillful lawyers represent clients from offices in Hampton, Gloucester, Chesapeake and Newport News,
Accidents that lead to wrongful death lawsuits
Many different types of fatal incidents can give rise to a wrongful death lawsuit, including:
- Car, truck, motorcycle and other motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective devices and drugs
- Falls or other accidents on another party’s premises
- Violent acts
However the death caused by someone else occurred, our hardworking attorneys draw on extensive experience litigating cases stemming from fatal and catastrophic injuries to assist Virginia clients. We will investigate the evidence to determine liability and press to hold the at-fault party or parties accountable.
Who can pursue a wrongful death claim in Virginia
In Virginia, only personal representatives of decedents’ estates can file wrongful death claims. Family members cannot file themselves unless they also represent the estate, which might be the case. If compensation is awarded in the wrongful death case, it goes to the survivors of the deceased. Survivors receiving compensation in wrongful death suits may include spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings or dependents who lived with the deceased. If there are no survivors among the aforementioned people, compensation will be distributed according to the state’s intestacy laws. If you are a personal representative, we can assist you in filing a claim on behalf of survivors.
Damages in wrongful death cases
Damages in wrongful death cases in Virginia may include compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses to treat the injuries leading to the death of the person
- Reasonable funeral expenses
- Money for wages the deceased may have earned during their lifetime
- Loss of services, protection, care and assistance that the victim provided
- Sorrow and mental anguish due to the loss of the deceased person’s comfort, care and society
In some cases, punitive damages could be ordered to sanction defendants for especially bad or reckless behavior. We help clients in wrongful death cases learn what type of recovery is appropriate and then work diligently to secure that amount.
Deadline for filing wrongful death claims in Virginia
Virginia’s statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of death. If you are considering filing a claim and are close to this time limit, get legal help right away. Should you miss this deadline, you will probably not be able to collect damages.
Contact our compassionate Hampton Roads attorneys for help with a wrongful death case
The compassionate attorneys at Hunter Law Firm in Virginia file wrongful death claims on behalf of survivors of people killed in accidents and wrongful incidents throughout the Hampton Roads area. To schedule a consultation, call our firm at 757-825-0400 or contact us online.
