Litigation Attorneys Skilled in Wrongful Death Cases Fight For Families

Wallace Wason, PLLC represents the families of patients who have died as a result of negligence by a doctor, surgeon, nurse or other health professional in Virginia and other jurisdictions. As lawyers who regularly handle medical malpractice cases, we also have extensive experience with those involving a patient’s death in the course of or resulting from surgical or medical treatment. See also: Dental Wrongful Death

What Kinds of Medical Malpractice Lead to Valid Cases?

It may be hard to believe that substandard medical care from a medical practice, a hospital, a surgical center, or an outpatient facility can result in a patient’s untimely death, but wrongful actions by health care professionals that don’t meet the standard of care can lead to a patient’s death. Some types of medical malpractice that can result in a wrongful death lawsuit include:

• Failure to diagnose cancers
• Failure to treat infections
• Medication mismanagement
• Anesthesia errors
• Lack of appropriate medical or surgical equipment
• Lack of appropriate emergency training.

How Much Time Do Families Have To File a Valid Case in Virginia?

Under the Virginia Code, a personal representative of a deceased person’s estate (appointed by the court), can bring an action for the wrongful death of a patient caused by the malpractice of a healthcare provider. In Virginia, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the death in order to meet the time limit requirement in Virginia, also known as the statute of limitations.

What Is the Compensation in a Case of Wrongful Death?

Although no amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one, the types of damages that may be awarded are specified in the law. In a case that goes to trial with a jury, it is the jury’s job to decide on the type and amounts to be awarded. Settlements or jury awards may include compensation for the following types of damages resulting from a wrongful death:

• Sorrow, mental anguish, and solace (which may include loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and advice of the decedent),
• Loss of the decedent’s reasonably expected income,
• Services, protection, care and assistance provided by the deceased,
• Expenses for any care, treatment and hospitalization of the decedent related to the malpractice leading to the death,
• Reasonable funeral expenses,
• Punitive damages, in the case of willful or wanton conduct, or recklessness showing a conscious disregard for the safety of others.

Wrongful Death Malpractice Attorneys

Malpractice attorneys who focus on wrongful death lawsuits, like Wallace Wason, PLLC, are not like other attorneys. These cases require extremely specific knowledge in both the legal and medical fields.

Wallace B. Wason, Jr. and his legal team have the experience necessary to handle the details and help your family through this difficult time. Contact us today at (703) 420-3725 for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your wrongful death lawsuit.