Wytheville Wrongful Death Lawyers

Fatal accidents happen every day in Virginia. Too many people suffer fatal injuries when struck by motor vehicles or injured in premises liability accidents. And some deaths aren’t accidental at all: people can die after a violent assault.

Call The Jackson Law Group today if a beloved family member has passed away. You may have a legal right to file a wrongful death claim. This is a civil claim for compensation. We have successfully brought many of these cases, and our Wytheville wrongful death lawyer can explain more about the process in a consultation.

What is a Wrongful Death?

There is a statutory definition found atVirginia Code § 8.01-50. It states that wrongful death is any caused by:

• Default
• Wrongful act
• Neglect

Many wrongful deaths are based on negligence, which is the failure to fulfill a duty of care. These are the same types of accidents which injure people non-fatally:

• Car wrecks
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Truck accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Premises liability accidents

Other wrongful death cases are based on violent assaults, even homicide. You could sue the person who attacked your loved one and possibly other parties, such as the property owner where the attack happened, if there was negligent security.

How Much Can You Receive?

The amount depends on the facts. Virginia law allows family members to receive compensation for various damages, including:

• Lost wages or income—how much would your loved one have earned had they lived?
• Lost services—did the deceased provide services such as cooking, cleaning, childcare, or home maintenance for the family? If so, you can request compensation to cover these costs.
• Loss of love, care, and protection—these are subjective losses, but we request a fair amount.
• Your grief and sorrow at losing a loved one.
• Medical bills to treat your loved one after the accident or attack.
• Funeral and burial expenses.

Someone who dies in their 30s will probably have earned more money, so family members can possibly receive a larger settlement, at least when compared to a family who lost a 70-year-old in an accident. Let’s review possible compensation in a free consultation.

Which Family Members Get the Compensation?

You can receive compensation if you are a statutory beneficiary under the law. Typically, these beneficiaries include:

• Surviving spouse, children, and grandchildren; or
• If none of the above, then parents or siblings or any family member who was dependent on the deceased and shared a household with them; or
• If none of the above, then any family member who might inherit under Virginia intestacy laws.

Reach Out to The Jackson Law Group

Virginia requires that the estate’s personal representative file the legal claim. We can help this person gather evidence and file the correct legal documents in court. We can also negotiate a settlement that makes litigation in court unnecessary.

Please call our office to speak with a Wytheville wrongful death lawyer. The weeks following a tragic loss are topsy-turvy, but we can provide the steady guidance you need during this time.