Code of Virginia § 8.01-244. Actions for wrongful death; limitation.

240 words·~1 min read·/va/title-8-01/chapter-4/8-01-244

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of § 8.01-229 , if a person entitled to bring an action for personal injury dies as a result of such injury with no such action pending before the expiration of the limitations period set forth in § 8.01-243 , then an action under § 8.01-50 may be commenced within the time limits specified in subsection B or as provided in subsection K of § 8.01-229 .

B. Every action under § 8.01-50 shall be brought by the personal representative of the decedent within two years after the death of the injured person. If any such action is brought within such period of two years after such person's death and for any cause abates or is dismissed without determining the merits of such action, the time such action is pending shall not be counted as any part of such period of two years and another action may be brought within the remaining period of such two years as if such former action had not been instituted.

However, if a plaintiff suffers a voluntary nonsuit pursuant to § 8.01-380 , the nonsuit shall not be deemed an abatement nor a dismissal pursuant to this subsection, and the provisions of subdivision E 3 of § 8.01-229 shall apply to such a nonsuited action.

Code 1950, §§ 8-633, 8-634; 1958, c. 470; 1977, c. 617; 1991, c. 722; 2008, c. 175 ; 2025, c. 37 .