Wrongful Death Lawyer

If you are a survivor of someone who has lost their life due to the fault of another in Virginia, Washington DC or Maryland,
Brien Roche Law brings over 40 years of trial experience to your case.

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Northern Virginia Wrongful Death Lawyer

Wrongful death attorneys must be armed with knowledge of personal injury law, full control of the facts, and compassion for survivors who have lost a loved one. They must also know the scope of damages allowed under the wrongful death statute.

Brien Roche has over 40 years of trial experience, garnering over $30,000,000 for clients. If you are a survivor of someone who has lost their life due to the fault of another in Virginia, Washington DC or Maryland, contact Brien Roche today.

Why So Many Have Trusted Brien Roche


40+ Years of Experience


History of large rewards for clients.


Author of multiple legal books and published across various publications.


10/10 rating on Avvo legal directory


Rated 5/5 by peers on legal peer-rating site Martindale


4.9 average rating by over 50 clients on Google

Results of Wrongful Death Cases

Case Description Amount
Settlement for wrongful death claim against local healthcare provider $1,000,000
Settlement against local hospital for inpatient suicide $500,000
Settlement against local hospital for death of spouse $400,000

★★★★★

I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Roche on a case for my employer. I thought he did an excellent job despite a very difficult case. Although I hope I don’t need his services again, I absolutely recommend him to anyone needing legal services.

– Barry C.

When to Seek Compensation

If a person suffers an injury that results in death, their estate may assert a wrongful death claim, meaning they died as a result of the conduct of the defendant. Although death brings an end to the pain and suffering of the deceased, there may be family members left behind who continue to suffer and may continue to experience damages into the future.

These damages recoverable may or may not be economic.  Economic damages can include loss of income and the value of the loss of services from the passing of the decedent. There may also be medical and funeral expenses.

Survivors may consider filing a wrongful death suit resulting from the following:

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, you may be entitled to substantial compensation from the responsible parties in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Key Factors

In order to effectively recover the full extent of the damages suffered, you’ll need to consider the following criteria:

  • No Delay: Suit should be filed as quickly as possible.
  • Life Expectancy: Using the medical histories of the decedent and the beneficiaries, prove the natural and work life expectancy of each.
  • Losses: Show the economic hardships suffered by survivors: the earnings and the value of the services of the decedent, which must be replaced; additionally, demonstrate to a jury the extent of the grief and emotional damage suffered by the loss of the decedent.
  • Survival Claim: Any personal injury claim that existed prior to the decedent’s death and the amount of suffering they endured may in some cases also be pursued.
  • Hedonic: Convey the loss of enjoyment of life, potentially with the testimony of psychologists and economists

Frequently Asked Questions

Some books that may help with these issues are Motherless Daughters, The Legacy of Loss by Hope Adelman and The Loss That is Forever; The Lifelong Impact of Early Death of a Mother or Father by Maxine Harris.

The wrongful death of a minor is against the natural order of things. It defies understanding. Furthermore we are supposed to outlive our children. In developing the extent of loss in a child death case you should prepare to gather documents (medical and school records), documentation of activities, and photographs.
The death of an adult child may not be as compelling as that of the of a younger child. However the loss to the parent may be every bit as compelling.  The parent has lost  not only a child but also a friend. Call, or contact us for a free consult.
In any wrongful death suit, an administrator or executor must be appointed. The Will designates the executor. The court appoints an administrator in the absence of a Will. Both the executor and administrator are referred to as the personal representative, and the case is brought in that person’s name. That person acts as the representative of the people to benefit from the suit, and may be a beneficiary themselves. Any proceeds of the case will be paid to the beneficiaries.
The statute of limitations in a wrongful death action is two years from the date of death in Virginia. It is possible to extend it by one year in limited instances. However, if the death occurred in another state, then it may be that the statute for that wrongful death act controls. The statute of limitations in some states is literally a part of the claim. Therefore the state law where the death occurred may be controlling.

Find a Location Near You

8355 Greensboro
Dr McLean, VA 22102
4607 Newcomb
Pl Alexandria, VA 22304

Areas We Serve

Fairfax, VA

Mclean, VA

Vienna, VA

Burke, VA

Annandale, VA

Falls Church, VA

Reston, VA

Alexandria, VA

Arlington, VA

Herndon, VA

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Wrongful Death Lawyer

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