Bill Text: VA SB694 | 2018 | Regular Session | Prefiled

---

Bill Title: Intentional or negligent infliction of injury or death; bystander claims for emotional distress.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-17 - Continued to 2019 in Courts of Justice (14-Y 0-N) [SB694 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2018-SB694-Prefiled.html

---

18104408D
SENATE BILL NO. 694 Offered January 10, 2018 Prefiled January 10, 2018 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 8.01-42.6, relating to bystander claims for intentional or negligent infliction of injury or death; emotional distress. ---------- Patron-- Deeds ---------- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 8.01-42.6 as follows:

§8.01-42.6. Bystander claims for intentional or negligent infliction of injury or death; emotional distress.

A bystander who witnesses, live and in-person, an event during which the intentional or negligent infliction of injury to or death of a victim occurs may recover damages for resulting emotional distress, proven by a preponderance of the evidence, with or without physical impact or physical injury to the bystander, if:

1. The bystander is related to such victim by blood, marriage, or adoption; or

2. Although not related to such victim by blood, marriage, or adoption, the bystander is in close proximity to such victim at the time such event occurs and is aware that such event is causing injury to or the death of such victim.