Losing a loved one is hard regardless of how they passed. However, when someone close to you passes due to another person’s negligence, moving forward can be extremely difficult. If your loved one succumbed to injuries caused by the careless actions of another party, you have the right to seek legal action.
The attorneys at the Pendleton Law Team have helped thousands of grieving families take legal action. A Wrongful Death Lawyer from our firm can provide compassionate legal support and fight for the highest settlement possible.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims
When a person sustains fatal injuries in an incident they didn’t cause, their surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. Such a claim can be filed regardless of whether intentional or reckless actions caused the death. Filing a civil lawsuit can help you and your family get compensation for emotional and financial damages.
In Virginia, there is no limit on how much money a person can win from a wrongful death claim. Our wrongful death attorneys always fight for the largest settlement possible. They’ll do whatever it takes to hold the guilty party accountable and ensure that your family makes a full financial recovery.
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How Much You’ll Win From a Wrongful Death Claim
The amount of money plaintiffs can win from a wrongful death action depends on the financial stress and emotional anguish they’ve been forced to endure. A wrongful death attorney from our firm will work with you and your family to determine how much compensation you’re entitled to receive.
Damages that are sought after in a wrongful death lawsuit include:
Loss of Wages
If you depended on the decedent’s income, you might experience financial hardship now that they’re gone. Fortunately, a lawyer can demand compensation to replace your loss of income. The compensation you receive can help you afford basic necessities and other comforts that you’re accustomed to having access to.
Pain and Suffering
The sudden loss of a loved one can take a severe emotional toll on surviving family members. In the months following your loved one’s passing, you may experience deep mental anguish and other mental health problems. While no amount of money can lessen your hurt, these damages can help you cope with the mental pain and suffering you’re feeling.
Treatment Expenses
You and your family might receive bills for medical treatment administered to the decedent before they passed. You shouldn’t have to cover medical expenses after the tragic loss of a loved one. Our Wrongful death lawyers will pursue compensation to cover any bills you inherit.
Funeral Costs
Giving your loved one a proper farewell can help you get much-needed closure. That being said, funerals can be incredibly expensive, especially if your loved one’s death was sudden and you didn’t have time to plan a budget.
The team at Pendleton Law feels strongly about giving wrongful death clients the resources they need to say goodbye to their deceased loved ones. That’s why we’ll fight for the damages you need to cover funeral and burial costs.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are usually awarded under special circumstances that our attorneys can clarify during a consultation. These damages are typically reserved for egregious accidents in which an example needs to be set to deter others from committing similar offenses.
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Parties Who Can Receive Money From a Wrongful Death Settlement
Once the wrongful death settlement is won, the awarded funds can be disbursed to multiple parties. State law in Virginia awards each share based on a tier-level system.
Tier one consists of the decedent’s spouse, children, and grandchildren.
Parents can also qualify if they received assistance from the deceased within the past year. Tier two includes parents, siblings, and other relatives. If the decedent has no surviving family members in the first two tiers, their uncles, aunts, and other relatives can claim funds from a wrongful death settlement.
The court will determine what amount is awarded to each tier using the will of the deceased in conjunction with Virginia Code § 64.2-200. Our Wrongful death lawyers can answer any questions regarding Virginia’s tier system and ensure that winnings are distributed fairly amongst your family.
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Incidents That an Attorney Can File a Wrongful Death Claim for
A wrongful death in Newport News, VA, may result from negligent actions, intentional harm, or incompetence. Our wrongful death attorneys have years of experience seeking damages for various wrongful death cases, such as:
Auto Accidents
Truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, driving under the influence, and distracted driving can all lead to fatalities. If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in an auto accident, we’ll investigate the crash and collect the evidence required to hold the at-fault party liable for your pain and financial losses.
Premises Liability
Property and business owners must maintain a safe environment for their guests. When they fail to do so, visitors and patrons can sustain life-threatening injuries. If someone close to you has passed away due to injuries caused by a slip and fall or another type of premises liability incident, a wrongful death attorney in Virginia can pursue justice on your behalf.
Defective Products
If a product is designed poorly or improperly manufactured, it can result in serious injuries that lead to death. If your family member has succumbed to injuries caused by a defective product, an attorney from our firm can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or company responsible for the defect.
Workplace incidents
Every job has risks involved, but most can be reduced with proper protocol, training, or safety equipment. If a business fails to protect employees, it can be held liable for injuries. If employer negligence has caused your spouse or loved one to suffer fatal injuries, we can help you file a claim.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice incidents such as incorrect dosage, abandoned surgical tools, or failure to diagnose can seriously affect a patient’s health. If your family member has passed away due to an illness or injury caused by their doctor, we offer our sincerest condolences.
A wrongful death lawyer from our team can investigate the case, gather important evidence, and work hard to hold your loved one’s doctor responsible for the pain and loss of life they’ve caused.
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How Our Wrongful Death Lawyer in Newport News Can Help You
Our wrongful death team can offer a number of helpful and effective services to increase your chances of receiving a high-value settlement. Here’s what our attorneys will do to obtain the compensation you need to cover losses and grieve comfortably:
- Offer expert legal advice
- Provide compassionate and empathetic counsel
- Investigate the accident your loved one was involved in
- Collect evidence required to hold the at-fault party responsible
- Build a strong insurance claim for you and your family
- Negotiate a settlement with insurers
- Take your case to court if insurers reject your claim
- Meet Virginia’s filing deadline
Our firm understands how difficult it can be to lose someone in a tragic and unexpected accident. That’s why our lawyers will give you the space you need to process your emotions and keep you updated on your case while they fight for your compensation. They’ll always be available to answer questions and will do so in a caring and professional manner.
Legal Deadline for Wrongful Death Claims
There is a deadline for filing a wrongful death claim in Virginia. According to Virginia Code § 8.01-244, surviving family members have two years from the date of the victim’s passing to open a case. An attorney can make sure your suit is filed well within the two-year timeframe.
Along with managing deadlines, your attorney will keep you abreast of the case throughout the litigation process. Wrongful death claims don’t have an average settlement time frame, so be prepared for a lengthy legal process. While resolving your case may take some time, we promise we’ll do everything we can to obtain a hefty settlement check.
Contact a Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
The attorneys at Pendleton Law understand the level of compassion and commitment that your family needs during this difficult time. After experiencing loss, it is normal to feel stressed, frustrated and overwhelmed. Our team is here to make your life easier, so you can focus on grieving and saying goodbye to your loved one.
To get started on your claim, contact our firm today. If we agree to assist you in the claims process, a wrongful death lawyer from our firm will investigate your loved one’s death, build an evidence-based claim, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
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