We are sorry for your loss
Negligence took someone you loved,
we help families seek accountability
A wrongful death claim cannot undo what happened, but it can hold the responsible party accountable and ease the financial strain that follows. We move at your family's pace, take on the legal work quietly and explain every step before it happens.
These claims arise from fatal crashes, medical negligence, unsafe workplaces and dangerous property. Whatever the cause, we start by listening, then explain who can bring the claim, what it can cover and how long it may take.
You will not be asked to relive details more often than necessary. One attorney and one paralegal stay with your family from the first meeting to the end, and we can meet at your home, by video or at any of our three offices.
Arrange a private consultationOr call (555) 014-2290, day or evening.
Who will helpCounsel for
Counsel for
grieving families
Walter Pruitt and Everett Moss lead our wrongful death work with care
Everett Moss
Founding partner
Walter explained the process at our kitchen table and never once made us feel hurried. He handled the calls we could not face ourselves.
We did not know who could even bring the claim. Everett's team sorted out the estate paperwork and checked in with us every week.
They were honest about what the case could and could not do. That honesty gave our family room to grieve without false hope, and trust them with the rest.
Wrongful death questions
What families need to know
A short guide to how these claims work in Virginia. It is general information, not legal advice. Every family's situation is different, and we are glad to answer any question in a free, private conversation, whenever you feel ready.
The claim is brought by the personal representative of the person's estate, usually named in a will or appointed by the court. Any recovery goes to family members in an order set by Virginia law, starting with a spouse, children and grandchildren, and in some cases parents or siblings. We help families sort out the estate steps first, often working alongside the family's estate attorney so nothing is duplicated.
In most cases the claim must be filed within two years of the date of death. Some circumstances change that timing, such as claims involving a city, county or state agency, which can require written notice much sooner, so it is wise to speak with an attorney well before the deadline, even if the family is not ready to decide anything yet. An early conversation also lets us preserve evidence such as vehicle data, video and records before it is lost.
Virginia allows recovery for the family's sorrow and mental anguish, the income and services the person would have provided, and medical and funeral expenses. A claim can also seek punitive damages in rare cases involving willful or reckless conduct. Every family's losses are different, and we document them carefully and respectfully, using pay records, family accounts and, where it helps, economists who can explain lost future support.
A civil wrongful death claim is separate from any criminal charges and uses a different standard of proof. Both can move forward at the same time, and we coordinate with the criminal timeline where that helps the family. Evidence gathered by investigators can also support the civil claim, and a conviction is not required for the family to recover.
The first conversation is free and private. If you decide to go forward, these claims are generally handled on a contingency fee, meaning the fee comes only from a recovery, explained in writing before anything is signed, so there is no bill while the case is open. You can also simply ask questions; there is no obligation to hire the firm.
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