A wrongful death is a death caused by a wrongful act, negligence, or default of an individual or company.

Virginia Code § 8.01-50 

Action for death by wrongful act; how and when to be brought 

"Whenever the death of a person shall be caused by the wrongful act, neglegent, or default of any person or corporation, or of any ship or vessel, and the act, neglegent, or default is such as would, if death had not ensued, have entitled the party injured to maintain action, or to proceed in rem against such ship or vessel or in personam against the owners or those having control of the ship or vessel, then such person, corporation, or ship or vessel which would have been liable, if death had not ensued, shall be liable to an action for damages."