West Virginia law provides that a personal representative may file a lawsuit for the wrongful death of a deceased individual to pursue compensation for the beneficiaries of the decedent's estate — those who are family-related or financially dependent on the deceased individual. Beneficiaries include: the surviving spouse and children, including adopted children and step-children, brothers and sisters, parents and any persons who were financially dependent on the deceased individual. It is common for the personal representative to also be a beneficiary of the estate.