Damages Allowed in a Virginia (VA) Wrongful Death Case

Virginia (VA) Wrongful Death Lawyers
Offices in Virginia Beach, Hampton & Elizabeth City, NC

The following is the exact jury instruction used by personal injury lawyers in a Virginia Circuit Court for wrongful death lawsuits. The judge uses this damages instruction to tell the jury the law about what compensation the family whose loved one was killed may receive, itemizing the categories of loss.

If you find your verdict for the plaintiff, then in determining the damages to which he is entitled, you shall include, but are not limited to, any of the following which you believe by the greater weight of the evidence were caused by the negligence of the defendant as damages suffered by the beneficiaries:

(1) Any sorrow, mental anguish, and loss of solace suffered by the beneficiaries. Solace may include society, companionship, comfort, guidance, kindly offices, and advice of the decedent.

(2) Any reasonably expected loss in income of the decedent suffered by the beneficiaries; and

(3) Any reasonably expected loss of services, protection, care, and assistance which the decedent provided to the beneficiaries.

(4) Any expense for the care treatment, and hospitalization of the decedent incident to the injury resulting in his death; and

(5) Reasonable funeral expenses.

If you award damages under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) above, you may distribute these damages among [between] (name of spouse, children, and children of the deceased child of decedent) or (names of surviving statutory beneficiaries).

If you award damages under (4) and (5) above, you shall specifically state the amount of damages for each.

You can learn more about wrongful death cases by checking out the following articles:

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling wrongful death cases. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if your family member or loved one was killed as a result of someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Form since 2009 and listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers are chosen for this professional honor. In addition, ours was the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms.

Our VA personal injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential case consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call.

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Damages Allowed in a Virginia (VA) Wrongful Death Case