Fatal Accident Claims

Nothing can truly make up for the tragedy of losing a loved one to an accident or disease, but we can at least help and support you in trying to recover financial compensation at this very difficult time.

Some basic information is set out below but we realise that you will probably have further questions; so you must not hesitate to contact us.

Fault

The cause of death has to be at least partly someone else’s fault.  We can help you investigate who may be to blame.  We can make enquiries with any authorities who may be looking into the circumstances of the death, for example, the Police, HSE or the Coroner and we may also be able to represent you at any Coroner’s Inquest.

Limitation

Once some blame has been established then there is a potential claim, but this must be brought within 3 years of the date of death or, in the case of a claim for Criminal Injuries Compensation for death, within 2 years.

Damages

There are various possibilities:

• An award for your loved one’s pain and suffering from the accident until they passed away, even if this was only a matter of minutes.
• Funeral expenses.
• Financial losses occurring between the accident and death – for example there may be claims for loss of earnings or for  care and assistance provided to the deceased before they passed away. There might also be a claim for possessions which were lost or damaged in the incident.
• Statutory Bereavement Award – currently fixed at £12,980 and only payable to the deceased’s spouse or sometimes their common law partner or the parents of a child under the age of 18.
• Regan Award – for loss of love and affection, usually only paid to a child for the loss of a parent and restricted to a few thousand pounds.
• Dependency – anyone who was dependent on the deceased, and that usually means financially dependent, may be entitled to claim for their loss, usually the loss of funds from the deceased. Typically a claim would be brought by the deceased’s spouse/partner or dependent children, sometimes there might be dependent parents, but this list is not exhaustive.
• Criminal Injuries Compensation – the amount varies and is only payable where the bereavement is proven to be as a result of a crime of violence, and even then payments are only applied to qualifying relatives.

Furley Page has decades of experience acting in all kinds of fatal claims.

For a free initial consultation call Neille Ryan on 01227 763939.