New Kent County wrongful death attorneys

Helping those in New Kent County who have experienced a tragic loss

Losing someone you love is particularly difficult when the loss was sudden, unexpected, and the result of someone else’s negligence. Such a loss can also put a financial burden on your family if the deceased was a breadwinner. No family should have to go through this tragedy alone, and no family should have to pay for someone else’s mistake.

We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys can help. We consider it a calling to help those who are facing one of life’s most difficult challenges. With our years of experience helping our neighbors in New Kent County, we can help you evaluate and determine your best options. While no one can bring back your loved one, we can make sure you get the compensation you deserve. For compassionate, outstanding legal advice and a free consultation, call us at (804) 413-6777 today.

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What is a wrongful death?

You may wonder, “Isn’t every death wrongful?” But legally speaking, wrongful death refers to a death caused by the “wrongful act, neglect, or default” of another person or company. This means that if a person or company causes someone’s death through negligence, it’s wrongful.

It’s important to understand your rights when it comes to wrongful death claims, because many families believe they have no recourse when their loved one’s life ends tragically. In reality, you may have several options for recovering compensation.

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How does a wrongful death happen in New Kent County?

Too many people across America have faced wrongful deaths, even in New Kent County. While New Kent is rural, terrible accidents still happen here. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death include:

• Truck accidents
• Bike accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Slip-and-falls
• Open water and boating injuries
• Drowning and other pool injuries
• Dog attacks
• Construction accidents
• Defective products

The type of accident itself doesn’t affect whether it’s a wrongful death claim. The main factor is whether the accident and the resulting death were caused by someone else’s negligence. If so, then the family has the right a file a claim against the responsible party and receive proper compensation.

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Who is eligible to file a wrongful death claim?

Wrongful death laws were written to offer support and relief for families that recently lost a loved one because of negligence, as well as to hold the negligent party responsible.

Because these claims are supposed to help the families of the deceased, not just anyone can file for wrongful death. In Virginia, these people are eligible:

• The deceased’s spouse
• The deceased’s children
• The deceased’s grandchildren if the children have passed
• The deceased’s parents and siblings if the spouse, children, or grandchildren have also passed
• The deceased’s beneficiaries if there are none of the above listed family members

If you do not qualify as one of the listed parties, you likely can’t file a wrongful death claim.

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What can you recover from a wrongful death claim?

If you are eligible to file, you have to consider what you will ask for in your claim. Know that you can receive compensation for a long list of damages after losing a loved one due to negligence.

You should start by determining how much compensation you want to receive. This will help you avoid taking lowball offers from the at-fault person’s insurance company, or falling for tricks that the at-fault insurance company may try. When it comes to wrongful death claims, you can receive compensation for the following:

1. Sorrow, mental anguish, and solace, which may include society, companionship, comfort, guidance, kindly offices, and advice of the deceased;
2. Compensation for reasonably expected loss of (i) income of the deceased and (ii) services, protection, care and assistance provided by the deceased;
3. Expenses for the care, treatment and hospitalization of the deceased for the injury resulting in death;
4. Reasonable funeral expenses; and
5. Punitive damages may be recovered for any willful or wanton conduct of the at-fault party, or such recklessness as evinces a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

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How long do you have to file?

Keep in mind that, in Virginia, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims (the time limit you have to file) is just two years. While that may seem like a long time, many steps have to be taken before filing a claim, including compensation calculations. Calculating the value of all of those damages, particularly those that didn’t come with a bill, receipt, or paystub, can be difficult. This is especially true when you are also mourning the sudden loss of a beloved family member.

We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys want to help, and we consider it a calling to serve families in these tragic circumstances and ensure that they are fully compensated.

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Call GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys for excellent, compassionate legal advice

Nothing can reverse the trauma you and your family have endured from the loss of your family member. A loss is particularly heartbreaking when it was caused by someone else’s poor choices. If you are considering filing a wrongful death claim, contact us for a free consultation. We will discuss all of your options and questions with you, and help you determine the path forward that’s right for your family.

Our office is in nearby Gloucester, or we can come to you. We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys have many years of experience in handling these tragic cases, and we will aggressively advocate for you from start to finish. Call our New Kent County personal injury attorneys at (804) 413-6777 to schedule your free meeting.

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