Families who are struggling with the death of a loved one need time to mourn. However, this mourning process can be made complicated if the family believes someone else may be liable for their loss. If you lost a loved one because of another party’s negligent or reckless behavior, you might have a chance to fight for loss-based compensation in court with the help of a dedicated personal injury attorney.

If you want to pursue compensation and hold the negligent party accountable, consider working with a Harrisonburg wrongful death lawyer to build up your complaint. A member of The Warren Team is available to protect your rights and interests while you focus on your loved ones.

Common Accidents that Warrant a Wrongful Death Claim

Many personal and catastrophic injury cases can evolve to the point where they end in wrongful death. That means interested parties may have the opportunity to pursue wrongful death charges when enduring losses related to the following, among others:

  • Car and truck accidents (Interstate 81 is an especially dangerous corridor in the area)
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Workplace mistreatment
  • Medical malpractice
  • Premises liability
  • Product liability

These deaths can result from long-term negligence on a careless party’s part. Notably, in cases where the injured party passes way mid-session, a representative can take over or refile on the decedent’s behalf. This way, the decedent’s remaining family members and loved ones may still receive compensation based on the original filer’s losses.

What Do the Laws in Harrisonburg Say About Wrongful Death?

Virginia law strives to help individuals who believe their loved one’s death resulted from negligence. As such, a dedicated lawyer in Harrisonburg could assist those individuals in pursuing a wrongful death action on the deceased’s behalf.

All interested individuals have two years from the date of a person’s death to bring a wrongful death suit to court, as stated by Code of Virginia § 8.01-244. That said, these individuals may file for several different forms of compensation, including coverage that addresses pain and suffering, loss of companionship, lost opportunity for work, and medical expenses related to the deceased’s treatment.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Case to Court?

Virginia only allows an individual’s appointed executor to bring a wrongful death case before a court. However, a Harrisonburg decedent’s family members can still communicate with an area attorney during the initial wrongful death claim proceedings and even discuss potential evidence or liability.

A Harrisonburg Wrongful Death Attorney Can Work with You

Dealing with the complexities of a legal complaint on top of mourning a loved one can feel like an impossible process, especially if you are pursuing the complaint alone. Fortunately, a Harrisonburg wrongful death lawyer can be there for you. After an initial consultation, you can rely on a legal professional to help you bring together the documents and evidence you need to present your wrongful death case before a court.

Wrongful deaths do not have to go unanswered. If you or your family want to pursue legal action, you can schedule your private meeting with a member of The Warren Firm today.