Claiming compensation for fatal accidents
Losing a loved one in an accident is devastating.
No amount of money can ever make it right, but fatal accident compensation can provide essential financial support at the most difficult of times.
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.
Fatal Accident Solicitors
Our solicitors have supported thousands of people who have lost loved ones in accidents. If you’re ready to talk, our fatal injury lawyers are on hand to discuss your claim.
Call us on 0800 0 224 224
Kam Singh
Senior Serious Injury Lawyer
Based in our London head office, Kam has supported many clients with fatal accident claims.
Christalla Christodoulidou
Senior Serious Injury Lawyer
Christalla is a senior solicitor with over 26 years’ experience.
Victoria Kingscote
Senior Serious Injury Lawyer
Victoria is a senior serious injury solicitor based in Birmingham.
Trevor Hall
Principal Serious Injury Lawyer
Senior executive Trevor leads fatal accident cases across the UK and beyond.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have lost a close family member in an accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be able to claim compensation, especially if you were financially dependent on the deceased. We can provide free legal advice and let you know if you have a case – contact us on 0800 0 224 224.
We have helped bereaved families with a wide range of fatal accident and wrongful death claims, including:
- Fatal road traffic accident claims
- Fatal accident at work claims
- Claiming compensation for death caused by medical negligence.
- Claiming compensation for death caused by asbestos exposure.
You usually have three years from the date your loved one passed away to make a claim.
We recognise that the months following a bereavement are extremely difficult, and can also be especially busy due to many administrative and practical demands.
However, we always recommend that families contact us as soon as they can so that the claim can be prepared and submitted to the court well in advance of the three-year deadline.
The vast majority of fatal accident claims are settled out of court, so it is very unlikely that you will need to attend a court hearing as part of your claim.
On the rare occasions where a case does progress to trial, your solicitor will be by your side to support you through the process.
Fatal accident compensation claims can be complicated, so it’s important to have an experienced and knowledgeable team on your side.
Thompsons only ever act for injured people and their families, never for those who cause injury or their insurers. That focused commitment means that we are uniquely placed to support those tragically affected by a death.
Our experience of fatal injury claims includes supporting the relatives of people killed in accidents at work, road accidents or even as the result of medical negligence.
Our compassionate and empathetic solicitors look to bring grieving families long-term financial security as soon as possible.
If you wish to make a fatal accident claim, our lawyers can provide legal advice and support to help you recover damages for your loss. Contact our specialist team on 0800 0 224 224 or request a call back to discuss your case free of charge.