A federal judge dismissed wrongful death, survival and emotional distress claims brought by a father and child over the death of their fiancée and mother, respectively, determining they lacked standing in Virginia and had failed to properly allege physical injury.

According to the April 4 opinion by U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon of the Western District of Virginia, the plaintiffs—parent Zachary Grady and minor L.G.—filed suit individually and on behalf of the estate of Erin Jo Baker, who was killed in a car accident. However, the court found that Grady, while qualifying as administrator of Baker’s estate in Pennsylvania and under Pennsylvania law, did not qualify as a personal representative of Baker’s estate in Virginia and under Virginia law.