Richmond Wrongful Death Lawyers

Aggressive Attorneys Representing Families in Wrongful Death Claims in Richmond, VA and Throughout the Commonwealth

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is a hard thing to bear, especially when the death was the result of a preventable act of negligence. Virginia law allows certain surviving family members to seek payment and accountability through a wrongful death claim, though this is a multi-step process with a lot of room for error. If you need guidance in this claim, be sure to get in contact with a Richmond, Virginia wrongful death attorney.

No verdict or settlement can undo the loss of a loved one, but it can help cover costs associated with the death and potentially afford you with some much-needed closure. At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we have a long history of investigating wrongful death claims, and we have successfully helped families recover millions in past cases.

Investigating Wrongful Car Accident Deaths in Richmond and Surrounding Cities

Investigating a wrongful death from a car accident typically involves reviewing the police report, gathering witness statements, and examining physical evidence from the vehicles involved, including skid marks, debris, and damage patterns that can help reconstruct how the crash happened and who was at fault.

In some cases, additional sources of evidence become important, such as data from a vehicle's onboard systems, traffic camera footage, or cell phone records if distraction is suspected. Toxicology reports may also play a role if a driver's impairment contributed to the crash. A thorough investigation aims to establish not only how the accident occurred, but who bears responsibility, since more than one party can sometimes share fault in a fatal collision, including a driver's employer or a vehicle manufacturer depending on the circumstances.

When Is a Property Owner Responsible for a Visitor's Death?

Property owners in Virginia owe visitors a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions, and a failure to meet that duty can result in liability when a death occurs. Swimming pool deaths are one example, particularly when a broken gate, missing safety equipment, or inadequate supervision allowed a preventable drowning to happen.

Other examples include fatal falls caused by broken stairs or poor lighting, deaths resulting from inadequate security against foreseeable violence, and fatalities caused by hazardous conditions the owner knew about but failed to correct, such as a fire hazard or exposed electrical wiring.

Establishing liability generally requires showing that the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to address it within a reasonable amount of time. Investigating these cases often involves reviewing maintenance records, prior complaints, and any history of similar incidents at the same property, since a documented pattern of neglect can strengthen a wrongful death claim considerably.

Rules for Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Virginia

Virginia law generally requires a wrongful death claim to be filed within two years of the date of death, though this deadline can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the loss. A wrongful death claim must be filed by the personal representative of the deceased's estate, though the compensation recovered benefits designated family members rather than the estate itself.

Typically, a surviving spouse, children, and grandchildren are entitled to benefit from a wrongful death claim. If none of these relatives survive, the right to recover may extend to other family members under Virginia's wrongful death statute. Compensation in these cases can include payment for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills incurred before death, lost income and financial support the deceased would have provided, and the loss of care, guidance, and companionship the family has suffered as a result of the death.

Meet With Our Richmond, Virginia Wrongful Death Attorneys

Losing a loved one due to someone else's negligence is devastating, and pursuing a wrongful death claim can feel overwhelming during an already painful time. At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we handle the legal process with care while working to secure full compensation for your family's losses. Call 804-500-9796 or contact our Richmond, VA wrongful death lawyers to set up a free case review.