Wrongful Death

Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys in Virginia

The attorneys at WAW understand your grief after the loss of a loved one. We also know that your pain is heightened when you believe that another person's negligence was responsible for the death.  While it may seem impossible to put a monetary value on a life lost, there are valid reasons to seek damages when your relative's death has been caused by negligence. Virginia's wrongful death law provides a clear cause of action for people whose family members were killed due to someone else's conduct.

Grounds for a wrongful death action

To help you get compensated for the loss of a family member, our Harrisonburg, Staunton and Lexington wrongful death attorneys must demonstrate that the standards of wrongful death have been met:

• The victim's death was caused by a person's actions
• That person was negligent or strictly liable for the death
• There are survivors such as a spouse, children, beneficiaries or dependents
• Monetary damages resulted from the death

Proving this chain of facts is more complex than it may seem. Insurance defense lawyers have a talent for finding holes in an argument for wrongful death. Our lawyers prepare your wrongful death claim thoroughly, anticipating the defense strategy and presenting a solid case. Our Harrisonburg, Staunton and Lexington wrongful death lawyers shoulder the burden of obtaining compensation, dealing with insurance companies and conducting thorough investigations to develop the right legal strategies.

Determining damages for wrongful death

The amount of compensation available in a wrongful death case is determined by numerous factors, such as the deceased's health before time of death. Damages awarded in a wrongful death suit may cover:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral expenses
• Loss of income
• Loss of services
• Loss of assistance and care
• Punitive damages

Some wrongful death cases allow damages for the mental anguish of the survivors. Putting a price on one's sorrow is challenging, and our lawyers make a careful yet compelling presentation to the jury. If the defendant's actions were especially reckless or intentional, we also pursue punitive damages to punish the defendant. Our lawyers recognize that such wrongful death and survivor claims often provide the only vehicle for financial security for family members following a devastating loss.

Injury Accident Cases

Our personal injury lawyers handle all types of serious personal injury matters, including:

• Car Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Defective Products
• Medical Malpractice
• And More

If you need assistance after being injured and wish to talk to an experienced injury lawyer, please contact one of our Virginia personal injury attorneys today. We proudly help clients in Western Virginia and West Virginia.

Contacting a Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney

Charles F. Hilton
Gregory T. St. Ours
Humes J. Franklin III

For a professional and thorough review of your wrongful death claim, call 540.434.0316 and ask to speak with a lawyer about wrongful death litigation or Click here to send us an email.