Law Commons^™

Recovery For Wrongful Death In Virginia: The Effect Of "Dependency" And "Pecuniary Loss"

University of Richmond Law Review

In 1968, substantial changes occurred m the statute allowing recovery for wrongful death in Virginia. The General Assembly established "dependents" as a new class of persons, entitled to recover up to a maximum of $50,000 in proportion to their "pecuniary loss." The statute also designates a class of persons as beneficiaries and allows them to recover an additional $25,000 for solace. Thus, the total amount potentially available to persons who qualify as both a dependent and a statutory beneficiary is $75,000.