Compassionate Assistance With Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one can change your life forever. Losing someone due to someone else’s negligence is devastating. With over 125 years of combined experience, we have seen the pain our clients go through and the bravery they exhibit when they file a wrongful death claim.
At Bowen Ten Long & Bal, PC, we offer compassionate and skilled legal help filing a wrongful death claim for a loved one. While no amount of compensation or legal action can bring back your loved one, it can help alleviate the financial strain and help you cope with your inconceivable loss. Our Richmond attorneys focus entirely on your desired outcome and do everything in our power to help you obtain compensation and move forward, no matter who you are or where you reside across the state.
Helping You Find A Way To Move Forward
In Virginia, you can file a wrongful death claim after any accident that caused loss of life, so long as you prove that negligence was the ultimate cause of the accident. Whether you lost a loved one in a car or truck accident or due to a fall on someone else’s property, you may have the right to compensation.
How will my wrongful death case work?
If you suspect that your loved one’s death could have been prevented, your first step is to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney. In Virginia, time is of the essence when filing a wrongful death claim. You have only two years from the date of the death to file a claim. We will then work with you to review your case, investigate and gather evidence. This may include reviewing medical records and police reports or consulting with experts if necessary.
The next step is to file a formal complaint or petition that describes the legal grounds for the wrongful death claim. From there, we will coordinate with the defendant’s legal counsel to share information and potentially work toward a settlement. In many cases, settling these claims outside of court is possible. However, if the parties cannot agree on a settlement, we will fight for your claim.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?
In Virginia, the personal representative or executor of the deceased person’s estate can file a wrongful death claim. If a will does not name a personal representative, your attorney can help you petition the court to appoint one. However, damages from the case may go to the deceased person’s family members or dependents. This can include spouses, children, grandchildren and other surviving family members.
What kind of losses can I recover?
In Virginia, like other personal injury cases, you can recover for financial losses (damages) and for mental trauma suffered. You can be compensated for things such as:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of income
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
There is no concrete formula for pain and suffering in Virginia, and settlements can vary greatly depending on the facts of your case. When you meet with us, we can review your case and discuss your options and the variable available to you and your family.
How is a wrongful death settlement paid out?
Wrongful death settlements can be paid out either as a lump sum or in a structured settlement payment plan. Lump-sum settlements are paid all at once, whereas structured settlements result in regular payments over time.
We Are Here For You
We understand how overwhelming and confusing filing a wrongful death claim can be. You deserve personalized attention and answers to all of your questions. We ensure we are available to our clients and reachable for any questions or concerns. You never have to worry about not knowing the next steps when you work with us. We will communicate and confer with you throughout the process.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you. Call the firm at 804-767-6850 or contact us online. Don’t live in the Richmond metro? Don’t worry, we can meet with you remotely.
We only collect attorney fees if we win compensation for you.