UK FATAL ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CLAIM

A fatal accident is a catastrophic event altering the lives of the victim's families forever. Most families not only suffer emotionally as a result of the loss of a loved one but their financial circumstances may change considerably resulting in unexpected hardship. That's where we come in to help you claim the compensation that is your legal right. We are an independant network of specialist accident solicitors who are all members of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts. Your claim will be made using the no win no fee scheme and compensation will be paid in full with no deductions. You will not have to fund or finance your claim and you will not have to pay for any disbursements or insurance policy. Our service is completely free and neither us nor the solicitor will make any charge.

The first part of the claim is the victim's own claim. This includes compensation for the physical and emotional pain, incapacity and distress that the victim suffered. Where the victim died immediately or never regained consciousness, little or no compensation will be awarded as pain and suffering will have been minimal. This part of the fatal accident claim also includes damages for the victim's financial losses between the date of injury and the date of death, together with the funeral expenses.

The second part of the claim is that brought under the provisions of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 as amended by section 3(1) of the Administration of Justice Act 1982, which allows claims to be brought by the dependants of an individual who dies as a result of any wrongful act, negligence or default by another party, for the loss of financial support. Dependants are specifically defined by the 1976 Act, and they include the surviving spouse or co-habitee of the opposite sex who has lived with the victim for more than 2 years, children or parents, persons treated as children or parents, grandchildren or grandparents. Compensation is awarded for the loss of the victim's support since his or her death which consists of that portion of the deceased's contribution to the family earnings which he would not have spent exclusively on himself, together with compensation for any services that the victim provided, such as childcare, domestic assistance, gardening or DIY. In addition to the dependency claim a statutory sum for bereavement is payable to the spouse of the deceased or to the parents of a deceased minor.

The calculation of a fatal accident claim is complex, especially where it involves the self-employed, directors of owner managed businesses and professional persons. The value of dependency claims can be substantial and each must be considered individually. Our solicitors have detailed experience in preparing claims and they also call upon the services of forensic accountants who have specialist knowledge in identifying the contentious issues to prepare reasoned reports to assist in bringing and substantiating a claim.

If you would like to know if it is possible to make a claim just complete the contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will telephone you with free advice.