Fatal Injury Claims
If you’ve lost a loved one or family member as a result of a fatal accident, you may be able to claim compensation if someone else was to blame. Claiming for compensation in such circumstances can be very stressful, but we aim to make the process as clear and simple as possible to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Our specialist team provides expert legal advice in different languages to clients who have been involved in workplace accidents, including warehouse workers. They operate on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay any fees unless your case is successful.
What type of fatal accidents can be claimed for?
In simple terms, for any fatal accident where another party appears to be at least partly to blame, we recommend that you seek legal advice with a view to gaining compensation. The death may have been instant, or your loved one may have lived for a short while afterwards needing specialist care. We can help you in either situation to determine whether or not you have a valid case for compensation.
Fatal accidents can include, but are not limited to:
- Serious road traffic accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Cycling accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Medical negligence
- Criminal acts such as assault
A fatal accident will typically result in an inquest to establish the cause of the death and where the blame lies for the accident. The coroner’s findings in the inquest will be very influential in the progress and outcome of any compensation claim.
Family members are entitled to attend, or have representation at the inquest and ask questions about the accident. The defendants (those likely to be responsible for the accident) often attend along with legal representatives.
Can I make a Fatal Accident claim?
To claim compensation after a fatal accident, you must be a dependent of the deceased, such as their spouse, civil partner or child. If you’re not in either of these categories, you may form part of their ‘estate’ – the beneficiaries of their will – and therefore be able to claim on behalf of the estate (either by yourself or alongside other beneficiaries).
What sort of damages can I claim following a fatal accident?
The damages that you can recover will vary greatly, so we strongly advise that you seek legal advice at the first opportunity. You may be entitled to statutory payments for your bereavement and may also be able to claim some private damages.
Among other things, the compensation you receive will depend on:
- Who exactly is claiming – you may claim as an individual if you are the spouse or civil partner of the deceased, or as part of their estate.
- Who was responsible for the accident – it could be a company or organisation, or it could have been an individual who caused criminal injuries.
- How you depended upon the deceased – if you relied on their income or they carried out certain duties at home.
It can’t be stressed enough that no two fatal accident claims are ever the same, so we recommend that you contact us to discuss your circumstances in detail as soon as you feel able to do so.
Do I have a valid claim for compensation?
If you can answer yes to all three of the following questions, we recommend that you contact us to discuss your circumstances further:
- Was the incident within the last three years (or two years if it was a criminal act)?
- Was someone else to blame for the incident?
- Were you injured as a result of the incident?
Answering ‘yes’ to all three doesn’t mean that a successful claim is certain. However, these questions are key to the claims process. Answering yes to all three does indicate that you have a greater chance of being entitled to claim. Getting prompt, specialist legal advice could be beneficial.
Because of the time limits, it’s important that you contact us promptly so that we can start the process for you.
How do I begin a compensation claim for a fatal accident?
Call us on 0208 1111 911 or contact us through the website and we’ll discuss your circumstances with you. The first call typically takes about 15 minutes and in that time we can usually determine whether or not it’s realistic to pursue a claim for compensation.
