Your claim, explained
Who can ask about a fatal accident compensation claim?
A family member can make an initial enquiry, but authority to represent an estate and eligibility for dependency or other claims must be checked separately. Explain the relationship, circumstances of death and any existing inquest or legal representative.
Separate estate authority from each family member’s loss
Details that help an individual assessment
A family enquiry may involve different interests: the deceased’s estate, dependants and people who paid expenses. One relative’s ability to supply documents does not automatically authorise them to settle every claim. Identify executors or administrators if known and disclose potential disagreements early.
For dependency, record the financial contribution and practical services previously provided, supported by household and employment records where available. Do not assume all relationships qualify for every category of award. An inquest can address important factual questions, but its purpose and any representation costs should be distinguished from civil compensation proceedings.
Before you contact us
A careful first conversation for bereaved families
You do not need a complete financial or family history to make an initial enquiry. Explain the incident, your relationship to the person who died and whether an inquest, investigation or existing claim is underway. The correct person to instruct and the possible claim heads need individual assessment.
Useful information to have to hand
- Keep investigation or inquest references and any correspondence from insurers.
- Identify any executor, administrator or existing legal representative.
- Retain records of funeral expenses and financial support without assuming every expense is recoverable.
A point worth checking early
Family relationships and financial arrangements can affect the legal position. We will need to clarify authority and possible conflicts before giving confidential advice to more than one person.
Request an individual assessment →When a death is caused by someone else's negligence, the family faces an inquest, financial uncertainty and grief at the same time. A fatal accident claim cannot undo any of that, but it can secure answers and provide for those who depended on the person who died.
We act sensitively for families, coordinating any inquest with the civil claim so that evidence obtained in one supports the other. We will explain who is entitled to claim, what may be recovered and how the claim can be funded.
When can you pursue compensation?
- The death was caused by negligence, a breach of statutory duty or an unlawful act.
- A claim may be brought by the estate for losses suffered before death.
- Dependants — including spouses, civil partners, cohabitees of two years or more, and children — may claim for loss of dependency.
- A statutory bereavement award is available to a limited class of relatives.
Circumstances to discuss with a solicitor
- Fatal road traffic collisions
- Deaths at work, including falls from height and plant incidents
- Deaths following asbestos exposure
- Fatalities arising from failures in medical care
- Deaths in public places caused by unsafe premises
- Deaths resulting from criminal acts, where separate routes may apply
What Compensation Could I Claim?
- Loss of financial dependency, calculated on the deceased's earnings and contributions
- Loss of services such as childcare, home maintenance and support
- Statutory bereavement damages for eligible relatives
- Funeral expenses
- The estate's claim for pain, suffering and losses before death
Recoverable compensation depends on the injury evidence, supported losses and applicable claim route.
Evidence That Helps
- The coroner's file, post-mortem report and inquest evidence
- Police reports and any criminal or regulatory investigation material
- Payslips, accounts, pension details and household financial records
- Evidence of the deceased's role in the household and family life
- Medical records covering the period before death
How Long Could the Claim Take?
The inquest often has to conclude before the civil claim can be resolved, and inquests can take a year or more to be listed. We progress the civil investigation in parallel wherever possible so the family is not left waiting unnecessarily.
Costs and funding for fatal accident claims
What to clarify before you instruct
Confirm whether proposed costs cover the civil claim, inquest advice or estate-related work; those scopes should not be assumed to be identical.
Compare funding options and potential cost risksFatal Accident Claims FAQs
Should the family be represented at the inquest?
Representation is not compulsory but is often valuable, because the evidence given can be central to the later civil claim.
Who can claim bereavement damages?
The statutory award is limited to a defined class of relatives. We will confirm eligibility in your particular circumstances.
We were not married. Can I claim?
Cohabitees who lived with the deceased as partners for at least two years before the death may be able to claim for dependency.
How is dependency calculated?
By reference to the deceased's income and contributions to the household, the number of dependants and the period over which support would have continued.
Who should be the main family contact?
Agree a practical contact person while legal authority is checked. Sharing updates is different from being authorised to give instructions for an estate.
Should I provide a will?
Tell us whether one exists and identify the executor if known. Arrange private transfer of relevant documents after the initial scope is agreed.
What if probate has not been obtained?
Explain the stage reached. The necessary authority and timing should be considered rather than assuming no advice can be sought beforehand.
Can different relatives have different interests?
Yes. Estate and dependency issues may not align automatically. Disclose possible disagreements so representation and conflicts can be assessed.
Are funeral invoices relevant?
Keep invoices and identify who paid them. The appropriate treatment depends on the claim and evidence, not simply possession of a receipt.
What household records help show dependency?
Income, bills and evidence of contributions can help. Record practical services separately from money rather than estimating one unsupported total.
Should I wait for the inquest to finish?
Seek advice about civil deadlines and evidence earlier. The inquest timetable does not automatically determine or extend every compensation deadline.
Can a child's dependency be discussed?
Yes. Explain the child's relationship and support previously provided. Representation and settlement arrangements require particular care.
What if the deceased was self-employed?
Keep accounts, tax records, contracts and business expenses. Turnover should not automatically be treated as the contribution available to dependants.
Are pension documents useful?
They may help assess the financial position. Keep statements and scheme correspondence rather than assuming every pension has the same survivor provisions.
Can practical household help count in the assessment?
Describe tasks actually provided and replacement arrangements. Any recoverable value requires evidence and the relevant legal basis.
What if another solicitor handles the estate?
Disclose the existing instruction so work can be coordinated and duplicated costs avoided. Estate administration does not automatically include injury litigation.
Should police correspondence be retained?
Keep references, reports and updates lawfully provided. Their relevance can be assessed alongside medical and other evidence.
Does an inquest finding guarantee compensation?
No. It may be relevant evidence, but a civil claim has its own questions about responsibility, causation, eligibility and losses.
How should multiple expenses be organised?
Group them by payer, date and purpose with receipts. This helps prevent the same cost being presented by different relatives.
Can I ask for an initial discussion before gathering everything?
Yes. Start with the relationship, event, dates and documents available. The next evidence can then be identified without requiring a complete file immediately.
Speak to our team
Explain the injury and any approaching deadline. We will confirm whether we can assess your enquiry.
Other personal injury claims
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