Following the death of a loved one, claiming for compensation might be the last thing on your mind but if the accident was the fault of another party then you may want to seek justice. Fatal accident compensation can also go towards paying for funeral expenses and can be used to take care of the family of the deceased which can also relieve some of the financial worry during such a difficult time.
How can you make fatal accident claims?
You can make a fatal accident claim when the accident was due to the negligence of another party. So whether a loved one was killed as the result of a road traffic accident or an accident at work you can file for compensation on their behalf. It’s important to hire a personal injury solicitor to work with you to support your claim. Solicitors specialising in personal injury will have the experience and knowledge required to deal with these claims and assist you in collecting and presenting evidence.
Every case is different so it’s difficult to accurately predict the course that a fatal accident claim will take once it’s been filed. Some cases can be settled out of court within a few months whereas others may take longer and will need to go to court, depending on how complicated the case is. This is something that you will be able to discuss in depth with your solicitor.
Who is paid the fatal accident compensation?
The family of the deceased can receive the compensation. Although it may not come as much comfort, the compensation can go towards repaying any losses incurred such as funeral expenses. If the deceased was the main earner in the family and left behind children then the money can be used to support their family. Partners in a civil partnership and cohabiters who are in a long term relationship and have lived together for at least two years can also claim compensation as in the eyes of the law they are treated the same as a married couple.
If you’ve lost a loved one as the result of another person’s negligence then you may want to consider making a fatal accident compensation claim.
