Hegwood v. Virginia Natural Gas, Inc.

SENIOR JUSTICE STEPHENSON

delivered the opinion of the Court.

The principal issue in this appeal is whether the trial court erred in striking the plaintiff’s evidence. Two other issues involve the trial court’s rulings on evidentiary matters.

I

Charles J. Hegwood, Administrator of the estates of four decedents, William E. Dempsey, William E. Staton, Julia M. Dempsey, and Lakeshia Dempsey (the Administrator), instituted separate wrongful death actions against Virginia Natural Gas, Inc. (the Gas Company) and others, seeking damages in the amount of $5,000,000 in each action. * The Administrator…