Unlike some neighboring states, Virginia does not have a survivorship law. In other words, a family cannot file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased person. They can only claim damages on behalf of themselves. There is one exception permitted under Virginia law. If a person in injured because of the negligence of others and they die of unrelated causes, the person’s family can file a personal injury lawsuit on the victim’s behalf. They can sue to recover economic damages, pain and suffering, medical bills, and funeral costs on behalf of the victim. However, the family cannot file a wrongful death suit because the accident was not the cause of their death.