Fatal Accidents & Inquests.

Fatal Accident Compensation & Fatal Inquest Solicitors.

Losing a parent, child or another member of your family as a result of a fatal accident, or, due the negligent behaviour of someone, is always going to be an extreme and emotionally devastating time.

It is possibly the toughest situation any of us could face. A Fatal Accident Claim for financial compensation will likely be furthest from your mind, but sadly, when faced with such a sudden loss, some families may need to consider their financial welfare earlier than anyone would wish; even though this will no doubt be an extremely difficult thing to do.

With stress and anxiety often magnified when death occurs through the fault of another person or organisation, it will be of no immediate consolation to know your rights surrounding Fatal Accident Compensation or to even consider making a claim.

The specialist lawyers here at Lanyon Bowdler have years of experience dealing with tragic accidents, and we understand the despair caused by losing a loved one involved in a fatal accident. We also appreciate how upsetting it can be to hear that the accident was due to the fault or negligence of another person, perhaps a reckless driver, an employer or even a medical professional.

If additional and immediate financial burden is placed upon the victim’s family because of the terrible loss suffered, then considering making a Fatal Accident Claim should be discussed with our team as early as possible. We completely understand this will not be easy, but money worries are the last thing you and your family should suffer, when the time to care for one another, grieve and adjust, should be your only priorities.

Even when financial well-being is not a concern, perhaps where the accident involves the loss of a child. You are still entitled to claim Fatal Accident Compensation, and we are here to help and listen when you are ready and able to talk.

We are proud of our reputation as a friendly, caring law firm, and our experienced lawyers will guide you through the whole process of a compensation claim, as well as any Coroner’s inquest hearings that might be necessary.

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What is a Fatal Accident Claim?

A Fatal Accident Claim is the legal process of seeking compensation after the death of a loved one. It is important to distinguish the two main types of claims you can make for a fatal injury: a dependant’s claim and a victim’s claim.

 

Dependant’s Claim

This is the type of claim you can make if you depended financially on the deceased as outlined in the Fatal Accident Act 1976. This will usually include family members, children, spouses or ex-spouses, or long-term partners.

 

Victim’s Claim

If your loved one has died after an injury which has affected their finances before passing away, you may be able to seek compensation for their pain and suffering, as well as any costs and losses they had incurred.

You may also qualify to receive a Statutory Award for Bereavement. If you’re unsure of what you could be entitled to in your Fatal Accident Claim, contact our solicitors today, and find out how Lanyon Bowdler can help you reach the best possible outcome when dealing with such distressing cases.

Your Fatal Accident Claims Questions Answered

Who is eligible to make a fatal accident claim?

If a third party was at least partially to blame for the accident, then the dependents of the victim are eligible to claim compensation. Under UK law, dependants include:

  • Children (biological children, adopted children, children through marriage or civil partnership)
  • Spouses (or ex-spouses)
  • Civil partners
  • Partners who have been cohabiting for two or more years
  • Parents and certain other relatives (including grandparents, great grandparents and those treated by the deceased as a parent. Brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews

Under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, dependants can claim for the loss of financial support, and supplementary benefits such as pensions, bereavement compensation for the pain and suffering of the deceased and their family (certain dependants only), funeral expenses and loss of help with domestic tasks such as childcare.

Financial losses for dependency contribute most towards Fatal Accident Compensation settlements. This applies where the deceased leaves family members who have historically depended on their income. Generally applying to children of the deceased or a spouse, the compensation calculation will be commensurate with the income level of the deceased and may also consider other aspects of income and financial welfare such as pensions, healthcare plans, bonuses, company cars etc.

Why make a Fatal Accident Compensation Claim?

We understand that claiming financial compensation will not be at the forefront of your mind following the death of a loved one in a fatal accident, or from an industrial disease or due to medical negligence. But compensation can be vital to maintain financial security for those people who have lost their partners and it can take an important weight off their minds at a very difficult time.

It is a legal right to claim compensation when an accident is caused by someone’s negligence, helping to replace the loss of income, pay for household services and compensate for pain and suffering both physical and emotional.

The specialist solicitors here at Lanyon Bowdler will provide compassionate and sympathetic legal support, providing all the advice you need to make an informed decision regarding your future needs.

Can I claim for costs incurred by the victim?

Fatal Accident compensation claims can also be made on behalf of the victim. In some cases, your loved one may have had a period of incapacity or illness before death as a result of the accident or incidence of medical negligence. This may have incurred costs associated with medical treatment and is certain to have led to the victim being unable to work and earn.

You could be entitled to claim compensation for the suffering they experienced at the time of their accident.

To get the very best advice at this challenging time, call one of our trained and qualified serious injury compensation claims solicitors, they will listen carefully and compassionately to your questions and take time to discuss your options.

What is the time limit for Fatal Accident Claims?

If you are seeking compensation for a wrongful death or fatal accident, you must generally start legal proceedings within 3 years from the death. This is usually true even if the deceased had already begun a claim for their injuries before their death.

There are many factors which may affect your time limit to make a claim for a fatal accident. Our specialist solicitors can help you if you’re unsure about the validity of your claim. Contact us today to start the process of claiming for a wrongful death caused by the negligence of a third party.

What is the statutory award for bereavement?

In addition to what Fatal Accident Compensation provides through general and special damages, a Statutory Award for Bereavement can also be made. This is separate from the amount that can be claimed as a dependent of the deceased.

Where a fatality has occurred through the fault or negligence of another party, the statutory award for bereavement is payable by the third-party even where there is no loss of income or other benefits by the dependants. Bereavement damages are designed to compensate the bereaved families for the death, but do not necessarily account for their financial dependency on the deceased.

This award is only payable to parents of a deceased child or the spouse, or civil partner, of the victim.

Can I claim for funeral expenses in fatal accident claims?

The Fatal Accident Act 1976 makes no specific reference to funeral expenses, but it is universally recognised that dependents can make a claim for costs incurred surrounding funeral services following the death of a loved one following a fatal accident.

While such an award will be limited and may not cover all costs associated with the ceremony, it will at least make provision for financial support in what are difficult times. The minimum award in such a circumstance is £3,000 with the maximum being £10,000.

What are fatal accident inquests?

If the fatal accident in question was sudden, violent or unexplained, the State may decide to launch an inquest. The specialists here at Lanyon Bowdler are able to guide you through the process from start to finish, contacting all relevant authorities, from HM Coroner to an NHS Trust, and will attend the inquest on your behalf if you would like support or do not wish to be present.

The inquest process is intended to establish the circumstances leading up to the fatal accident and determine the cause of death. Although the proceedings may provide answers to many of the grieving family’s questions about why the accident happened, it will not assign blame to any individual, company or public body.

Testimonials

What our clients say.

From the first contact, the team at Lanyon Bowdler gave a fast & efficient service. They were very friendly & gave me the confidence that I had found the right solicitors. The advice given & the fast responses were beyond my expectations. The matter was resolved in no time at all.

Martyn
via ReviewSolicitors

It is a pleasure to act as a case manager for clients represented by the personal injury team at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors. Lanyon Bowdler PI team are proactive and truly client centred. They understand the clients they represent and work tirelessly to achieve the best they can for them. Through collaborative working we have been able to achieve the best outcomes possible for our clients.

Rachel Dodwell
Community Case Management Services Ltd

As a case manager I work closely with litigation teams to ensure our clients get the expertise, support and care they need to bring them back to as close to their life pre-injury as possible. This is very often not an easy journey, and balancing the desires of the client to live their best life with collating and presenting the facts of how that life is altered, can be very challenging. Having worked alongside Lanyon Bowdler’s team for many years, I have noted it is always easier to strike this balance, when they are involved.

Shelley Lewis
AJ Case Management

Having worked with a succession of personal injury specialists at Lanyon Bowdler over the years, I have seen at first hand the top-flight legal expertise that they bring to every case and the commitment to obtaining the absolutely best result for every client. Equally importantly, I am struck by the compassion, empathy and humanity with which every client is treated. They go above and beyond to ensure their clients receive the very best representation.

Anthony Reddiford
Guildhall Chambers

The team at Lanyon Bowdler show an exceptional knowledge and understanding of their client’s needs, not just in terms of the claim that they lead, but also the emotional and personal experiences that they will have on that journey.

Jenny Whittall
JMW Ltd

Lanyon Bowdler provide seamless ongoing emotional support, information and guidance to their clients over what may be many years of a PI claim. This significantly helps mitigate the “stress” of a claim for their clients, and in my medicolegal experience puts them way ahead of other legal firms.

Professor Tony Elliott
Director UK Centre for Medico-Legal Studies

Contacted Lanyon Bowdler six months after an injury at work. They offered me several of their services, including no win no fee which I ended up choosing. The solicitor was extremely helpful, was always keeping me updated when there was news and answered promptly when asked for any updates or when I asked any questions. I was very happy with the final settlement and the advice I received proved to be the best for my case. I felt like the extra bit of care was extended to give me a good idea of the options I had to choose from which really helped to inform any decision.

Matthew
via ReviewSolicitors

From my initial approach to the final positive outcome I felt my solicitor was expending all his energy to win the case. I was kept informed throughout and was given straightforward advice on how to proceed. The end result was an acceptable outcome and the pay-out was prompt.

Eric
via ReviewSolicitors

Very friendly and quick to respond, highly recommend for anyone looking for legal advice.

Anonymous
via ReviewSolicitors

I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received over the past six years. I would highly recommend Lanyon Bowdler for legal requirements.

Jayne
via ReviewSolicitors

Since dealing with Lanyon Bowdler they have been diligent, efficient and at all times very helpful along with being structured in dealing with matters, fees and clarity on all levels. Thank you.

Michael
via ReviewSolicitors

I was clearly informed of progress step by step. The service you provided was very good.

Peter Weston
Shrewsbury

All work carried out effectively and efficiently.

Hubert Jones
via ReviewSolicitors

An excellent service with solicitors that you can talk to and who give you a clear understanding of all necessary legal implications and interpretations.

Eric
via ReviewSolicitors

From start to finish we had excellent service. Friendly, approachable and professional.

Carl Gittins
via ReviewSolicitors

Very clear, concise advice and guidance, easy to understand.

Ian Jamieson
Telford

Good service provided throughout with clear communication throughout with all options explored.

Lee

I can thoroughly recommend the highly professional and supportive service received over the last few months.

Heather
via ReviewSolicitors

Responsive, supportive, approachable, clear and empathetic.

Lisa Thacker

Professional and prompt communication. Supportive and client focused.

Lisa Thacker
Jennifer M Whittall Ltd

Whenever I have had need to contact Lanyon Bowdler I have always received a fast, concise and friendly response.

Lee Mortimer
UK Case Management

Definitely would use Lanyon Bowdler again if I need the use of a solicitor.

Mark Bowkett
via ReviewSolicitors

Smooth and efficient service from very professional firm.

Tim
via ReviewSolicitors

We were particularly impressed with the quality of work, the speed and excellent communication.

Allenby Douglas Ltd
Oswestry

Very friendly and approachable. Very good advice

Ivor Brown
via ReviewSolicitors

Great Service; Lanyon Bowdler were excellent from the outset. Straightforward and easy process. I just sat back and waited.

Paul Rowe
via ReviewSolicitors

Everything has been professional, efficient and courteous throughout and we are very pleased, both with the service and with the eventual outcome of our case. Everything was first class and exceeded our expectations. Thank you again for providing such splendid service. It is really appreciated.

Mr N J & Dr S J Browne
Llanfyllin

What is the process of claiming for a fatal accident?

Your best first step is contacting us. Our expert Fatal Accident Solicitors will be able to guide you through the process of a compensation claim for a wrongful death with expertise and compassion.

The process of making a Fatal Accident Claim is similar to cases of personal injury or medical negligence compensation. You must prove the same basic facts:

  • The injury, in this case fatal, was caused by the negligence of a third party.
  • The party responsible for the fatality owed the deceased a duty of care.
  • The negligence the responsible party exhibited represented a breach of their duty.

We will work for you to build a strong case to prove these points based on all the evidence available. This may include medical records, witness testimonies and other documentation.

Once we have collected all the evidence necessary, we can calculate how much compensation you deserve for the death of a loved one, and begin negotiations with the other party. This normally does not require a court hearing, however, if it does, we will fight for your right to be compensated for your loss.

Contact Lanyon Bowdler’s Fatal Accident Solicitors

Please get in touch with a member of our team if you have any queries regarding a fatal injury claim. Our serious injury solicitors are approachable and very experienced, so will be able to discuss your case sensitively from the outset.

The circumstances surrounding a fatal injury case can create complex and challenging legalities. Filing such a claim while emotions are still raw and during the process of grieving, clearly makes the whole process very difficult.

It is a situation none of us would choose to face, but when the loss of a loved one occurs traumatically and due to somebody else’s negligence, you and your family deserve justice and compensation for your loss. We can offer advice on making a ‘no win, no fee’ Fatal Accident Claim while talking through your circumstances.

By choosing Lanyon Bowdler, you can rest assured that you have the best legal expertise no matter what the situation. Our team has vast experience in all areas of serious injury and personal injury claims, and we are committed to providing exceptional levels of client care. We always act with the utmost discretion and you will be treated with sensitivity and understanding, as we work closely with you to find the best outcomes.

We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry and Telford, regularly acting on behalf of clients across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and throughout the Midlands, including Birmingham and Wolverhampton. As a leading full-service law firm in Wales, however, we can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales, so don’t hesitate to take advice from the serious injury law experts.

Our people

Meet the team.

Dawn Humphries
Dawn Humphries
Partner
Personal Injury
Debbie Humphries
Debbie Humphries
Partner
Personal Injury
Phillip Roberts
Phillip Roberts
Partner
Personal Injury
Isabella Drummond
Isabella Drummond
Paralegal Apprentice
Personal Injury | Medical Negligence
Amanda Clarke
Amanda Clarke
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Helen Gale
Helen Gale
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Kelly Gibbons
Kelly Gibbons
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Amy Burgoyne
Amy Burgoyne
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Karen Clarke
Karen Clarke
Associate Legal Executive (FCILEX)
Personal Injury
Phyllis Smith
Phyllis Smith
Senior Litigation Assistant
Personal Injury
Alexander Spanner
Alexander Spanner
Associate Solicitor
Personal Injury
Morgan Thompson
Morgan Thompson
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Cameron Petch
Cameron Petch
Legal Support Assistant
Personal Injury
Tabassum Jamil
Tabassum Jamil
Trainee Solicitor
Personal Injury
Jo Kneller
Jo Kneller
Solicitor
Personal Injury
Sarah Martin
Sarah Martin
Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Jane Miles
Jane Miles
Associate Solicitor
Personal Injury
Andrew Morris
Andrew Morris
Trainee Costs Draftsman
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Miriam Homer
Miriam Homer
Solicitor
Personal Injury
David Hughes
David Hughes
Associate Costs Manager
Medical Negligence | Personal Injury
Knowledge

Case studies.

Case Study
Lanyon Bowdler case study icon

Catastrophic Boiler Failure

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Dawn Humphries • 26 Feb 2024
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Claudia Booth • 22 Jul 2024
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The Process of Disclosure in Personal Injury Claims – Miriam Homer and Amy Burgoyne

They explain their roles, and the process of disclosure, where the parties involved exchange documents in relation to th...
Published • 09 Jul 2024
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The Most Important Law of Our Generation? –...

According to the Labour Force Survey for Great Britain during 2022/23, 561,000 workers were injured in the workplac...
Lauren McCarthy • 28 Jun 2024
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Health and Safety in Construction

As with many other areas of work, anyone deemed to be controlling a construction site has responsibilities to keep ...
Alexander Spanner • 27 Jun 2024
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Who is Responsible for Injury Awareness?

In 2021/2022 health and safety statistics suggest that there were 565,000 injuries sustained at work, with 61,713 n...
Karen Clarke • 26 Jun 2024
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Accidents at Work: Falls From Height

We've all seen action movies and spy dramas where the lead character takes a dramatic dive off a building or bridge...
Morgan Thompson • 25 Jun 2024
Blog

Workplace Injuries: HGV Drivers

Sometimes there is no claim, as the accident could be the fault of the driver, but often the employer, or the emplo...
Phillip Roberts • 24 Jun 2024
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