Do you ever wonder when you are going to die? It may sound like the beginning of a Halloween ghost story but the Commonwealth of Virginia actually has a prediction.
Virginia Code § 8.01-419 contains a life expectancy table that estimates how many more years a person can expect to live based on age and gender. In personal injury and wrongful death cases, this table plays an important role in how juries and courts calculate damages. Specifically, how long it is anticipated that a person lives for with their injury.
The “Grim” Numbers at a Glance
Below is condensed version of Virginia’s life expectancy table, showing averages every five years. Virginia Code § 8.01-419 specifically states life expectancy per specific age if you want to have a more accurate estimate of when you are going to die.
For example: according to the Code, a 20-year-old woman is expected to live another 60.8 years, while a 70-year-old man is expected to live another 13.4 years.
It is not all doom and gloom though, based on Virginia’s life expectancy table, the longer you are alive for, the longer you are likely to live! For example, a 20-year-old-male is expected to die at 75.8 years old, when a 50-year-old-male is expected to die at 78.5 years old.
Why Life Expectancy Tables Haunt the Courtroom
While these numbers may look like something pulled from the ledger of the Grim Reaper, they are used in very real ways in Virginia courts:
Permanent Injuries – If someone will live the rest of their life with pain, paralysis, or a permanent scar, the table helps juries understand how long those injuries will last.
Wrongful Death Cases – When a loved one is lost too soon, the table helps calculate damages by showing how long the decedent would have lived, and how long their family could have expected their companionship, guidance, and financial support.
Jury Instructions – The table can be entered into evidence, but jurors are told to also consider the individual’s health, lifestyle, and habits. After all, no chart can capture the unique qualities of a person’s life.
The Takeaway
Halloween may remind us of our own mortality, but in personal injury law, life expectancy isn’t just an intangible guess, it’s central to ensuring fair compensation. Behind every statistic is a human being whose pain, scars, or absence will be felt for years to come.
At Curcio Law, we fight to make sure those years are valued fairly. If you have any questions about this life expectancy table or how permanent injuries should be compensated, the attorneys at Curcio Law are here for you. Our team has extensive personal injury experience and can help you understand the personal injury process. Call or text us at 703-836-3366.
