Wrongful death can result from many types of unfortunate circumstances, but regardless of the cause every wrongful death claim must show that some degree of negligence contributed to the victim’s death. A jury award or settlement is determined by several factors, including the victim’s life expectancy and earnings, the pain, suffering and medical costs (if any) that the victim experienced before death, and other factors relating to the grieving family, such as loss of parenting, loss of companionship, emotional distress and anguish.

According to the US Center for Disease Control an average of 20 people an hour die of traumatic injuries sustained in daily life, making unintentional injuries the 5th leading cause of death in the nation and the number one cause for those between the ages of 1 and 44.

While the law makes it possible for the families & survivors of wrongful death victims to seek compensation for the fatal negligence or carelessness of an individual or business, the law doesn’t make it easy. In the midst of their grief and confusion following the sudden and unnecessary loss of a loved one, families are expected to move quickly if they intend to seek legal action against those responsible. At times like these it is essential to have the counsel of attorneys that can advance the case decisively and determine the financial losses in order to get the best possible verdict or settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads firm of Breit Drescher Imprevento & Walker represents the families and survivors of wrongful death victims, including those who’ve died in car accidents, truck accidents, maritime and shipping accidents, defective product accidents, and as a result of dangerous or defective pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs.

Our goal in every wrongful death claim is to obtain the highest possible compensation for survivors, and when we find existing laws that don’t adequately protect people, we do all we can to bring about lasting and positive changes. Whether the law in question is Virginia law or international, our attorneys always seek to make justice the servant of public safety.

Wrongful Death from Prescription Drugs & Pharmaceuticals

Nowhere is consumer safety more at risk than in the area of prescription drugs. Since 1996, the frequency of adverse events from prescription drug reactions has doubled. Despite this increase, the FDA has recalled very few drugs over the past several years. Without a strong presence on the federal level working to protect American consumers from dangerous prescription drugs, consumers must exercise their legal rights to place curbs on the power of pharmaceutical manufacturers.

If you’ve lost a loved one who was on Vioxx, Crestor, Bextra or any other prescription drug and suspect that these drugs contributed to his or her death, call us for a free case assessment today to discuss your legal options. You can reach us at 757-622-6000 or email us today and we’ll contact you within 24 hours to discuss your case.

BDI Wrongful Death Verdicts and Settlements that have made a Difference

In a wrongful death case involving a coal-carrying ship explosion off the coast of South Africa that killed five, BDI attorneys obtained $3.9 million for the surviving families. Following the settlement, international laws governing the way coal is shipped overseas were changed to improve the safety of those on board coal-carrying ships.

In a wrongful death suit against a shipyard in Bahrain (an island nation in the Persian Gulf), BDI attorneys participated in a suit against shipyard for failing to properly install a shipboard boiler, leading to an explosion that killed 10. When the Bahrain shipyard resisted paying the $6.1 million judgment, BDI lawyers asked Virginia Representatives to sponsor legislation that prohibited American naval vessels from patronizing the shipyard. The Bahrain shipyard settled soon thereafter.

BDI attorneys secured $1,250,000 for the four-year-old daughter of a woman killed in a collision with another vehicle. The vehicle, driven by a car salesman, was owned by a car dealership. BDI attorneys persuaded a jury that the dealership was liable for the salesman’s negligence while driving the company vehicle.