2325 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Suite 1150, Herndon, VA / 703.793.1800 T / 703.793.0298 F www.fandpnet.com VIRGINIA Tort Profile ©Franklin & Prokopik. All rights reserved. (rev 2/2019) The Virginia Tort Law Profile is not intended to provide specific legal advice or opinions, but rather to provide general information. If you need additional information regarding Virginia law, or in relation to a specific claim, please do not hesitate to call upon us. (February 2019) TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Overview of the Virginia Court System ...........................................................................1 A. Trial Courts ............................................................................................................1 1. General District Court ...............................................................................1 a. Small Claims Court........................................................................1 2. Circuit Court ..............................................................................................1 3. Reputation of Jurisdictions in Virginia ...................................................2 4. Arbitration / Mediation .............................................................................2 B. Appellate Courts ....................................................................................................2 1. The Virginia Court of Appeals .................................................................2 2. The Supreme Court of Virginia ................................................................2 II. Commencement of Action .................................................................................................3 A. Venue ......................................................................................................................3 B. Complaints and Time for Filing an Answer ........................................................3 1. General District Court ...............................................................................3 2. Circuit Court ..............................................................................................4 C. Service of Process ...................................................................................................4 III. Common Causes of Action ................................................................................................4 A. Negligence ...............................................................................................................4 B. Imputed Liability ...................................................................................................5 1. Employer .....................................................................................................5 a. Respondeat Superior .....................................................................5 b. Negligent Hiring and Retention ....................................................6 c. Negligent Entrustment...................................................................6 d. Subcontractors ...............................................................................6 2. Passengers ...................................................................................................6 3. Parental Liability for Torts of Children ..................................................6 4. Family Purpose Doctrine ...........................................................................7 5. Dram Shop ..................................................................................................7 C. Infliction of Emotional Distress Claims ...............................................................7 1. Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress ..............................................7 2. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress ............................................7 D. Wrongful Death ......................................................................................................8 1. Plaintiffs and Beneficiaries........................................................................8 2. Defenses .......................................................................................................8 3. Statute of Limitations ................................................................................8 4. Damages ......................................................................................................9 5. Compromise................................................................................................9 i a. Prior to the Commencement of the Wrongful Death Action .....9 b. Compromises of Wrongful Death Action Must be Court Approved ..............................................................9 E. Survival Actions .....................................................................................................9 F. Loss of Consortium ..............................................................................................10 G. Premises Liability.................................................................................................10 1. Duty Owed by Owner to Other Persons ................................................10 a. Trespasser .....................................................................................10 b. Licensees .......................................................................................11 c. Invitee ............................................................................................11 2. Snow and Ice ............................................................................................12 3. Intervening Criminal Acts ......................................................................12 H. Products Liability.................................................................................................13 I. Strict Liability ......................................................................................................13 J. Medical Malpractice ...........................................................................................14 IV. Defenses to Claims ...........................................................................................................15 A. Limitations ............................................................................................................15 1. Generally ...................................................................................................15 2. Medical Malpractice ................................................................................15 3. Wrongful Death ........................................................................................16 4. Fraud ........................................................................................................16 5. Limitations on Enforcing Judgments .....................................................16 6. Claims Against the Government.............................................................17 7. Tolling the Statute of Limitations ...........................................................17 B. Contributory Negligence ....................................................................................17 C. Assumption of the Risk ........................................................................................18 D. Immunity ..............................................................................................................18 1. Interspousal ..............................................................................................18 2. Parent-Child Immunity ...........................................................................18 3. Shopkeeper Immunity .............................................................................18 4. Charitable Immunity / Good Samaritan Doctrine ................................19 5. Indemnification and Hold Harmless Clauses ........................................19 E. Last Clear Chance................................................................................................19 F. Misuse of Product ..............................................................................................19 ii G. Exclusivity of Workers’ Compensation Claim ..................................................20 H. Non-permissive Use ..............................................................................................20 I. Plaintiff’s Failure to Mitigate His or Her Damages ..........................................20 J. The Economic Loss Rule .....................................................................................20 V. Discovery ...........................................................................................................................20 A. In the General District Court..............................................................................20 B. In the Circuit Court .............................................................................................21 1. Scope of Discovery ...................................................................................21 a. Insurance Agreements .................................................................22 b. Trial Preparation Materials ........................................................21 c. Expert Witness Discovery ...........................................................22 d. Asserting Privilege to Avoid Disclosure .....................................23 e. Protective Orders .........................................................................23 2. Specific Discovery Methods ..........................................................................23