Fatal accident claims

Bringing a fatal injury claim against those responsible for the accident can also give grieving families a sense of justice following their loss.

At Thompsons Solicitors, we have highly experienced teams of lawyers who specialise in securing compensation for bereaved families.

We understand that you are in an impossibly difficult situation, and we will go above and beyond to support you through every step of the claims process.

Contact us today for free, no-obligation legal advice

What you need to know about fatal accident claims

A fatal accident claim is a legal claim brought to secure compensation after a person has died due to someone else’s negligence.

For example, if your loved one passed away in a road traffic accident caused by someone driving dangerously, you may be able to make a fatal accident claim. Similarly, if your family member died in an accident at work, you may be able to claim compensation from their employer.

The law around fatal injury claims is complex, and the amount of compensation awarded for a fatal accident depends on many factors. Working with a lawyer with specialist expertise in this area of law will maximise the amount of compensation you are likely to receive.

Most fatal injury claims are made under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. There are several types of compensation available under this act, including bereavement damages and dependency claims. You may also be able to claim compensation for funeral expenses.

In some cases, you may also be able to claim compensation on behalf of the deceased for any pain and suffering they experienced prior to passing away. You may also be able to claim for any financial losses they incurred during this period.

Bereavement damages

There is a fixed amount of compensation available for bereavement damages, which is currently £15,120.

At present, the only people who can claim bereavement damages are:

• The spouse or civil partner of the deceased
• The cohabiting partner of the deceased
• Parents of the deceased – but only if the deceased was an unmarried minor. There is only one £15,120 payment available, so if more than one parent claims bereavement damages, this sum must be split between them.

Fatal accident dependency claims

A dependency claim can be made by family members who were financially dependent on the deceased. This may include children, spouses, civil partners, cohabiting partners of more than two years, ex-spouses, parents, and other close family members.

The amount of compensation awarded differs from case to case. It is based upon a number of factors, including the amount the deceased was paying to support the people making the claim. The amount awarded is often based on a percentage of the joint family income.

At Thompsons, we have secured millions of pounds for families who have lost their loved ones in accidents.

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