Wrongful Death

Wrongful Death Claims in Richmond, Virginia

When someone you love dies because of another person’s negligence, you face grief compounded by anger and questions that shouldn’t exist. You need an attorney who understands Virginia wrongful death law and has the trial experience to hold the responsible party accountable.

Wrongful death cases arise when negligence causes a fatal accident or medical error. Families face immediate decisions about who can file, what damages they can recover, and how to preserve their legal rights. Virginia’s two-year statute of limitations and strict filing requirements mean early action matters.

Immediately Afterwards

What To Do After a Wrongful Death

• Consult an attorney immediately. Virginia’s procedural rules require the right person to file in the correct legal capacity. Mistakes can cost you the case.
• Preserve evidence. This includes medical records, accident reports, witness information, and anything related to the incident.
• Avoid discussing the case publicly. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys will use statements against you.
• Don’t accept early settlement offers. Initial offers rarely reflect the full value of your loss.
• Document your family’s losses. Keep records of medical bills, funeral expenses, and how the death has affected your household.

below the surface

Why Wrongful Death Cases Are Complex

Virginia wrongful death law is technical. Only certain people can file, and they must do so as a court-appointed personal representative or through the estate. If you file incorrectly—wrong person, wrong name, missing credentials—even a case with clear liability can be dismissed before it starts.

Insurance companies know this. They also know that most families are grieving and unfamiliar with the process. They use that to their advantage. They make low offers early, hoping families will settle quickly rather than endure litigation.

These cases also require substantial investigation and expert testimony. You need medical professionals to establish cause of death, economists to calculate lost income and services, and sometimes accident reconstructionists to prove liability. Defense attorneys will hire their own experts to dispute every element of your claim. Without experienced counsel and the resources to match their effort, families lose cases they should win.

Trial Experience Makes the Difference

Why Hire Lantz & Robins for Wrongful Death Cases

We’ve spent years handling wrongful death cases that require serious investigation and trial preparation. Mike Lantz and Rand Robins have both spent months in courtrooms presenting complex cases to juries. That experience matters when insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements.

We don’t run a volume practice. We select cases carefully and invest the time and resources needed to build them properly. That means hiring the right experts, conducting thorough discovery, and preparing every case as if it will go to trial—because many do.

We also understand what families are going through. We’ve met clients in hospitals, attended funerals, and stayed involved through long recoveries and difficult decisions. That level of personal attention isn’t marketing language; it’s how we work.

Defense attorneys and insurance carriers know our reputation. They know we won’t accept inadequate offers, and they know we’re prepared to try cases. That credibility often leads to better settlements—and when it doesn’t, we’re ready for trial.

Common causes of wrongful death in virginia