Wrongful Death Complaint - Virginia

COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH

(Virginia Circuit Court Template)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Document Header
II. Definitions
III. Jurisdiction and Venue
IV. Parties
V. Factual Allegations
VI. Causes of Action
    Wrongful Death (Negligence)
VII. Damages Allegations
VIII. Demand for Jury Trial
IX. Prayer for Relief
X. General Provisions & Reservation of Rights
XI. Execution Block
XII. Initial Service of Process

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE [COUNTY/CITY] OF [_________________], VIRGINIA

Civil Action No.: [_________________]

COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH

II. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Complaint, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and such meanings shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms:

1. “Decedent” means [DECEDENT’S FULL LEGAL NAME], who died on [DATE OF DEATH].
2. “Personal Representative” means the duly qualified personal representative of the Decedent’s estate, qualified before the Clerk of the Circuit Court of [COUNTY/CITY OF QUALIFICATION], Virginia, pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 64.2-500 et seq., on [DATE OF APPOINTMENT].
3. “Defendant” means [DEFENDANT’S FULL LEGAL NAME], its agents, servants, and/or employees.
4. “Statutory Beneficiaries” means those persons identified in Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-53 who are entitled to recover damages for wrongful death.
5. “Wrongful Act” means the negligent, careless, reckless, or willful conduct alleged herein.

III. JURISDICTION AND VENUE

3.01 This Court, a Circuit Court of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has original and general subject-matter jurisdiction over this civil wrongful death action pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 17.1-513. Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil claims exceeding $4,500; where the amount in controversy is between $4,501 and $50,000, jurisdiction is concurrent with the General District Court under Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-77 (eff. July 1, 2025), and Plaintiff elects to proceed in this Court.

3.02 Venue is proper in this Court under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-262 in that:
    a. The Defendant resides or has its principal place of business in this [county/city]; or
    b. The causes of action arose in this [county/city].

IV. PARTIES

4.01 Plaintiff, [PLAINTIFF’S NAME], is the duly appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of [DECEDENT’S NAME], acting for the exclusive benefit of the Decedent’s Statutory Beneficiaries.

4.02 Defendant, [DEFENDANT’S NAME], is a [corporation/LLC/individual] organized under the laws of [STATE] and transacting business in the Commonwealth of Virginia at all relevant times.

V. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

5.01 On or about [DATE], at approximately [TIME], the Decedent was present at [LOCATION].

5.02 While at said location, the Decedent was subjected to the Wrongful Act of the Defendant as follows:
    a. [SPECIFIC ACT OR OMISSION #1];
    b. [SPECIFIC ACT OR OMISSION #2]; and
    c. Other negligent and/or reckless conduct to be proven at trial.

5.03 As a direct and proximate result of the Wrongful Act, the Decedent sustained severe injuries that caused his/her death on [DATE OF DEATH].

5.04 All conditions precedent to the institution of this action, including qualification of the Personal Representative and timely filing within the two-year statute of limitations set forth in Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-244(B), have been satisfied or duly waived.

VI. CAUSES OF ACTION

WRONGFUL DEATH (NEGLIGENCE)

6.01 Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference Paragraphs 5.01 through 5.04.
6.02 Defendant owed the Decedent a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances.
6.03 Defendant breached that duty through the Wrongful Act described above.
6.04 The breach was a direct and proximate cause of the Decedent’s death, giving rise to a statutory cause of action under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-50.
6.05 Plaintiff seeks all damages recoverable under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-52, as more fully set forth in Section VII below.

VII. DAMAGES ALLEGATIONS

7.01 Pursuant to Va. Code Ann. §§ 8.01-52 & 8.01-53, Plaintiff seeks a judgment in an amount to be proven at trial, including but not limited to:
    a. Sorrows, mental anguish, and solace for the Statutory Beneficiaries, including loss of companionship, comfort, guidance, and advice;
    b. Compensation for reasonably expected loss of income and services, protection, care, and assistance provided by the Decedent;
    c. Expenses for care, treatment, and hospitalization of the Decedent incident to the injury resulting in death under Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-52(3);
    d. Reasonable funeral expenses pursuant to Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-52(4) (no fixed dollar cap applies to this category outside the medical malpractice context described in Paragraph 7.02); and
    e. Punitive damages for willful or wanton conduct, if proven.

7.02 If this is a medical malpractice action against a health care provider, the total recovery for the patient's injury or death, including any punitive damages, is subject to the applicable cap in Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-581.15, selected by the date of the malpractice. Punitive damages, if available, are also subject to the $350,000 limit in Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-38.1; that limit does not increase the total recoverable under § 8.01-581.15.

7.03 Plaintiff expressly seeks prejudgment and post-judgment interest as allowed by law.

VIII. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

8.01 Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable as a matter of right under Article I, § 11 of the Constitution of Virginia and Va. Sup. Ct. R. 3:21.

IX. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, as Personal Representative of the Estate of [DECEDENT’S NAME], respectfully requests that this Court:

A. Enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant in the specific sum of $[AMOUNT OF COMPENSATORY DAMAGES SOUGHT], plus prejudgment interest;
B. Award punitive damages, if proven, in the specific sum of $[AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING $350,000], subject to Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-38.1 and, in a medical malpractice action, the total-recovery cap in § 8.01-581.15;
C. Tax all allowable costs against Defendant, including expert witness fees as permitted;
D. Award post-judgment interest at the statutory rate; and
E. Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

X. GENERAL PROVISIONS & RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

10.01 Plaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint pursuant to Va. Sup. Ct. R. 1:8.
10.02 Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any right, claim, or remedy at law or in equity.

XI. EXECUTION BLOCK

Respectfully submitted this ___ day of __________, 20__.

__________________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME] (VSB No. ______)
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Telephone: [___-___-____]
Facsimile: [___-___-____]
Email: [___]

Counsel for Plaintiff,
[PLAINTIFF’S NAME], Personal Representative of the Estate of [DECEDENT’S NAME]

XII. INITIAL SERVICE OF PROCESS

Request issuance and service of process with this Complaint on each Defendant under the method that applies to that Defendant; use an authorized process server and file proof of completed service. For an individual Defendant, see Va. Code §§ 8.01-293 and 8.01-296. Sending a copy to defense counsel alone does not serve initial process on the Defendant.

If this wrongful-death action alleges malpractice against a health care provider: Before first requesting service of process on a Defendant, or asking that Defendant to accept service, obtain the signed expert opinion required by Va. Code § 8.01-50.1(A) for that Defendant, unless the good-faith common-knowledge exception in subsection (B) applies. The service request is deemed a certification of compliance. Within 21 days after that Defendant files an answer, provide the compliance statement required by subsection (D). Keep the signed opinion for any court review permitted by the statute.

Circuit Court filing: Complete and file the current official Form CC-1416 with this Complaint. Follow the court instructions for the filing party’s portion.