Assessing Economic Damages in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation: The Commonwealth of Virginia

Abstract

Abstract This article presents the legal framework for computation of economic damages in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Attention is given to the case law and statutory provisions governing damages for personal injury and wrongful death actions. The categories of damages are reviewed with specific consideration given to Virginia law's limited judicial precedent, conservative tort law, and evidentiary requirements for admissibility of expert testimony to establish economic loss. Included in the discussion is an analysis of law controlling the establishment of future losses.