§ 19.2-368.15 Subrogation of Commonwealth to claimant’s right of action; lien in favor of the Commonwealth; disposition of funds collected
Acceptance of an award made pursuant to this chapter shall subrogate the Commonwealth, to the extent of such award, to any right or right of action accruing to the claimant or the victim to recover payments on account of losses resulting from the crime with respect to which the award is made. However, except as otherwise provided in subsection J of § 19.2-305.1, the Commonwealth shall not institute any proceedings in connection with its right of subrogation under this section within one year from the date of commission of the crime, unless any claimant or victim’s right or action shall have been previously terminated. All funds collected by the Commonwealth in a proceeding instituted pursuant to this section shall be paid over to the Comptroller for deposit into the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund. Whenever any person receives an award from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the Commonwealth shall have a lien for the total amount paid by the Fund, or any portion thereof compromised pursuant to the authority granted under § 2.2-514, on the claim of such injured person or his personal representative against the person, firm, or corporation who is alleged to have caused such injuries. The Fund’s lien shall be inferior to any lien for payment of reasonable attorney fees and costs, but shall be superior to all other liens created by § 8.01-66.2. The injured person may file a petition or motion to reduce the lien and apportion the recovery pursuant to § 8.01-66.9. The Fund’s lien shall become effective when notice is provided pursuant to § 8.01-66.5 and liability shall attach pursuant to § 8.01-66.6.
History
This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 605 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1976 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1983, chapter 227; in 2013, chapter 273; in 2017, chapters 786 and 814; in 2018, chapters 316 and 671.
1976, c. 605; 1983, c. 227; 2013, c. 273; 2017, cc. 786, 814; 2018, cc. 316, 671.