Manassas Wrongful Death Lawyers

Attorneys Helping Families Address the Loss of Loved Ones Due to Negligence in Manassas, Virginia

Losing a family member can be devastating under any circumstances. However, when a family's loss has occurred because of a preventable accident, a reckless decision, or another form of negligence, the situation can be even more difficult. While the legal system cannot restore what has been taken away from a family, it does provide families with the ability to hold the responsible party accountable for a wrongful death. With the help of a skilled lawyer, a family can obtain financial compensation that will address the losses they have suffered.

Virginia's wrongful death laws provide family members with the opportunity to achieve justice for the untimely loss of a loved one. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we work with families in Manassas and Northern Virginia to help them get through the difficult period following a loved one's death. We will work to ensure that the compensation a family receives will address the full scope of their loss.

Reasons for Wrongful Death Claims

When a person dies because another person or company acted negligently, or because someone took intentional actions to cause them to suffer harm, a family may take legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for their loss. The circumstances that can lead to wrongful death claims may involve multiple forms of negligence, including:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

People may be killed in car accidents, and negligent drivers may be held responsible for these incidents. Other parties may be liable for wrongful deaths in commercial truck accidents. A driver who was speeding, a fatigued truck driver who fell asleep at the wheel, a distracted driver who ran a red light, or a drunk driver who struck a pedestrian may be required to pay compensation for the damages suffered by the victim and their family.

Premises Liability

Property owners can be held liable if they did not maintain safe conditions on their premises and their negligence led to a fatal accident. A fatal fall from a poorly maintained staircase, a drowning in a pool without adequate fencing or supervision, or a fire in a building where a landlord failed to repair electrical problems may be addressed through a premises liability claim.

Who May Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Virginia?

The primary beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim will be the deceased person's surviving spouse, children, or other dependents. If the person was not married and had no children or grandchildren, their parents or siblings may be beneficiaries. The compensation that may be available may depend on each beneficiary's relationship with the deceased and the specific damages that each person has suffered.

In cases involving the death of a minor child, the child's parents will be the primary beneficiaries. When a parent is killed, minor children may receive compensation to address the loss of a parent who would have raised them and provided ongoing support throughout the rest of their lives. A person's surviving spouse may be compensated for the loss of their relationship with their partner.

Compensation Available in Wrongful Death Cases

The financial impact of a wrongful death may include the income and financial support that a person would have provided for their family throughout their working life. Calculating this loss may require a projection of the person's future earnings based on their age, occupation, career trajectory, and expected working years.

The value of services that a person provided to their family may also be addressed in a wrongful death claim. These may include household work, childcare, and other contributions to a family. Funeral and burial expenses may be addressed, and compensation may cover the medical expenses for treatment that was provided before the person's death.

The non-economic losses in a wrongful death case can be significant, but they may be difficult to determine. Family members may be compensated for their sorrow and mental anguish. The grief of losing a parent, spouse, or child to a preventable accident should be fully addressed.

Compensation may also address family members'loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and protection. For children who have lost a parent, these losses may include the inability to receive guidance and nurturing as they grow up. For a spouse, the loss of a life partner who provided companionship, emotional support, and intimacy may be addressed.

The Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims

Virginia law requires wrongful death claims to be filed within two years after the date of a person's death. Missing this deadline will usually prevent family members from pursuing a claim. Certain circumstances, including claims against government entities, may involve shorter deadlines and formal notice requirements. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible after a loved one's wrongful death can ensure that a family will understand their legal options and can take legal action within the correct timeframes.

Legal Help With Wrongful Death Cases

At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we will perform thorough investigations into wrongful death claims, ensuring that evidence of negligence leading to a wrongful death is gathered and preserved. We can document the circumstances that caused the death, identify witnesses, and make sure a family will be able to take the necessary legal actions to address their losses.

We work with medical experts, accident reconstruction professionals, and economic analysts to build comprehensive cases that will establish liability for a wrongful death and document the full scope of a family's losses. We can handle communications with insurance companies or attorneys representing defendants, making sure the legal aspects of cases will be taken care of so a family can focus on healing.

Contact Our Manassas, VA Wrongful Death Attorneys

When a loved one has died because of another person's negligence, family members will need to determine how they can hold that person accountable. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, our attorneys provide compassionate legal representation in these cases while fighting to obtain compensation that will help a family recover from a tragic loss. Contact our Manassas wrongful death lawyers at 703-392-6686 to set up a free consultation and take the first steps toward justice.