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Fatal accident claims solicitors

Our personal injury solicitors secure compensation for bereaved and dependent families of people who have suffered fatal injury in accidents caused by negligence.

For over 30 years Boyes Turner’s personal injury lawyers have helped countless families through the emotional trauma, legal formalities and financial devastation that follow the death of a loved one. We support families whose lives have been catastrophically affected by fatal injuries caused by someone else’s fault, including road or workplace accidents, unsafe buildings or public facilities, asbestos exposure, and criminal violence, in the UK or abroad.

We understand that nothing can provide instant relief from the feelings of loss that follow a child, parent, or partner’s death, but we know that where the family relied on the deceased’s income, parenting or home-making, their grief is often compounded by worries about money and how they will cope. Compensation can bring relief from financial hardship at this difficult time. Financial stability gives our clients the means to pay for essential help, and peace of mind for the future, as they adjust to the changes in their family’s life.

For advice about compensation claims for fatal injury caused by medical negligence, you can visit our dedicated page.

Starting your fatal accident claim

We understand that sudden, fatal injury often happens in highly distressing, traumatic circumstances which can be difficult to talk about, but we encourage you to reach out for our help. Our compassionate personal injury team are experienced in helping clients who have experienced trauma or PTSD psychological injury after seeing their loved ones suffering or in the aftermath of fatal or life-threatening accidents. We discuss each claim confidentially, with sensitivity and understanding, and advise you how we can help.

It costs nothing to talk to us to find out about making a compensation claim after a fatal accident involving your partner or a member of your family. You can contact us by telephone or by email for free, confidential advice from a specialist personal injury solicitor. We will ask you to tell us briefly about the accident and the deceased’s circumstances and dependants. We will advise you about time limits and whether we can help you make a claim. Your solicitor will discuss with you how your claim will be funded and advise, fully and clearly, how that works and what it will mean for you. We offer a range of funding options, but most of our clients’ claims are handled on a ‘no win no fee’ basis.

We will put your claim to the defendant individual or organisation whose negligence caused the accident and we will handle all communication on your behalf. The defendant’s insurers will usually handle the claim on the defendant’s behalf and will be responsible for paying any compensation.

Fatal accident claims FAQs

What are fatal accident compensation claims?

When someone dies as a result of an accident or fatal injury that was caused by somebody else’s negligence, the deceased’s closest family, their dependants, and their estate (the legacy that passes to beneficiaries under their will) may be entitled to compensation.

Compensation claims arising from fatal injury are governed by The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 and The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934. Together, these two statutes give the beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate and the deceased’s dependants the right to claim for their losses in a fatal accident claim.

Fatal accident claims need specialist handling as they have their own legal requirements and additional complexities from other claims. They should be handled by specialist solicitors to ensure that family members, and those entitled under the deceased’s estate, receive their full entitlement to compensation. If any children are entitled to compensation, the court must approve any settlement, to ensure that the children’s interests are properly protected.

Our lawyers are nationally recognised for their expertise in representing bereaved families at coroners' inquests and guiding them through the claims process, to secure the highest levels of compensation that they are entitled to claim.

Who can claim compensation after a fatal injury?

If someone suffers a fatal injury that was caused by somebody else’s negligence, the deceased’s closest family, their dependants, and their estate may be entitled to compensation.

In cases where more than one person is entitled to claim, such as where the deceased left a partner and dependent children, our specialist fatal injury solicitors will ensure that the correct person brings the proceedings and that each eligible claimant’s interests are included in the claim.

We recover compensation for the families of those who have suffered fatal injury:

We can also claim compensation arising from fatal accidents for:

  • ‘secondary victims’ who suffered PTSD from witnessing their loved one’s fatal accident or injury;

What compensation can the deceased’s family claim after a fatal accident?

Fatal injury claims usually involve claims for compensation for:

  • the deceased’s pain and suffering as a result of the negligence which caused their death;
  • reasonable costs and expenses caused by the injury and the deceased’s death;
  • compensation for ‘lost years’;
  • reasonable funeral expenses;
  • a statutory ‘bereavement payment’, which can be claimed where the deceased left:
    • a bereaved husband, wife or civil partner, or unmarried partner who had cohabited with them for at least two years at the time of their death;
    • a minor child.

If the deceased left dependants, the claim will also include compensation for ‘loss of dependency’ (financial loss) suffered by those who depended on the deceased’s:

  • income (earnings, pension);
  • ‘services’, meaning the cost of replacing the things that the deceased did for them, such as providing child-care, housework, cooking, driving, gardening, or DIY.

The deceased’s dependants are usually their children, husband, wife, partner, grandchildren or elderly relatives, but can include other people whom the deceased supported financially on a regular basis.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, we also claim compensation for injured survivors from the same accident, such as passengers who were sharing the same vehicle, or ‘secondary victim’ family members who suffered PTSD from witnessing their loved one’s traumatic death.

 

What are fatal accident compensation claims?

When someone dies as a result of an accident or fatal injury that was caused by somebody else’s negligence, the deceased’s closest family, their dependants, and their estate (the legacy that passes to beneficiaries under their will) may be entitled to compensation.

Compensation claims arising from fatal injury are governed by The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 and The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934. Together, these two statutes give the beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate and the deceased’s dependants the right to claim for their losses in a fatal accident claim.

Fatal accident claims need specialist handling as they have their own legal requirements and additional complexities from other claims. They should be handled by specialist solicitors to ensure that family members, and those entitled under the deceased’s estate, receive their full entitlement to compensation. If any children are entitled to compensation, the court must approve any settlement, to ensure that the children’s interests are properly protected.

Our lawyers are nationally recognised for their expertise in representing bereaved families at coroners' inquests and guiding them through the claims process, to secure the highest levels of compensation that they are entitled to claim.

Who can claim compensation after a fatal injury?

If someone suffers a fatal injury that was caused by somebody else’s negligence, the deceased’s closest family, their dependants, and their estate may be entitled to compensation.

In cases where more than one person is entitled to claim, such as where the deceased left a partner and dependent children, our specialist fatal injury solicitors will ensure that the correct person brings the proceedings and that each eligible claimant’s interests are included in the claim.

We recover compensation for the families of those who have suffered fatal injury:

We can also claim compensation arising from fatal accidents for:

  • ‘secondary victims’ who suffered PTSD from witnessing their loved one’s fatal accident or injury;

What compensation can the deceased’s family claim after a fatal accident?

Fatal injury claims usually involve claims for compensation for:

  • the deceased’s pain and suffering as a result of the negligence which caused their death;
  • reasonable costs and expenses caused by the injury and the deceased’s death;
  • compensation for ‘lost years’;
  • reasonable funeral expenses;
  • a statutory ‘bereavement payment’, which can be claimed where the deceased left:
    • a bereaved husband, wife or civil partner, or unmarried partner who had cohabited with them for at least two years at the time of their death;
    • a minor child.

If the deceased left dependants, the claim will also include compensation for ‘loss of dependency’ (financial loss) suffered by those who depended on the deceased’s:

  • income (earnings, pension);
  • ‘services’, meaning the cost of replacing the things that the deceased did for them, such as providing child-care, housework, cooking, driving, gardening, or DIY.

The deceased’s dependants are usually their children, husband, wife, partner, grandchildren or elderly relatives, but can include other people whom the deceased supported financially on a regular basis.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, we also claim compensation for injured survivors from the same accident, such as passengers who were sharing the same vehicle, or ‘secondary victim’ family members who suffered PTSD from witnessing their loved one’s traumatic death.

£1 million settlement
We secured compensation for the family of a man killed by HGV driver’s dangerous driving.
Read the story

The deceased had pulled over onto the hard shoulder to exchange details with another driver following a minor collision, when the HGV veered onto the hard shoulder, fatally injuring the two men. We pursued a compensation claim for the widow and their child.

"In addition to the statutory bereavement award, funeral expenses and other expenses, our client and child were entitled to compensation for their “loss of dependency” and “loss of love and support” from the deceased."

Our fatal accident cases

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What our clients say

"Amazing people"

Almost 5 years ago my son suffered a life changing brain injury accident. A new life for everyone, so many unknowns so many difficult decisions. I met Claire and the team shortly after the accident. So many questions answered but more than that, amazing lovely people. Claire has been guiding me and the family throughout this ordeal with such compassion, there every time I needed her we couldn’t of asked for a nicer person. I have met many others within Boyes Turner and all have been genuine lovely people, I’m now working with Ruth and Lindsay from the court of protection. Again, I can't say enough about them amazing lovely people. They truly do want the best for my son and they did and continue to do so.

Barry Williams

"Professional and understanding"

I’ve been very lucky to have Martin & Roshni collaborate to help me when I needed a solicitor to takeover from a very horrible accident. They both are very caring, professional and succeeded getting the best outcome in my case. This is the second time in using this solicitor’s firm and always the same high standard service.

Rhiannon

"Boyes Turner has quite simply been outstanding"

The service from Boyes Turner has quite simply been outstanding, at the most stressful time in our lives they thoroughly looked after us from start to finish. From a warm coffee and listening ear during meetings, to efficiency and professionalism with the legal formalities. Claire our solicitor obviously had a wealth of legal experience of this kind but she also had a real insight and understanding of my injuries. She pushed hard to make sure I could access early on rehabilitation that was not available via the NHS, which enabled me to get back to looking after my kids (which was my number one priority). At the beginning my recovery felt bleak but knowing I had Claire and her team in my corner I started to believe I could get some quality of life back, and I really have. Now the case has concluded, I feel closure and satisfaction my case was dealt with by the best and can move forward with my life with no regrets. Thank you Claire and the Boyes Turner Team.

Anonymous

"Personal Injury claim"

Excellent service from Claire and her team at all times. We were kept up to date at each stage of our claim. The outcome was much better than we expected and we would not hesitate to recommend Boyes Turner to family and friends.

Boyes Turner Client

"Exceptional"

Kim at Boyes Turner was recommended to me after I had received ineffective service from another company. From the outset, Kim has been professional, reassuring and supportive. I have always had faith in her ability to get the best outcome, not only financially, but also in helping my rehabilitation from a traumatic brain injury. She is friendly and empathetic, with unquestionable professional integrity. She was quick to grasp the important issues in my case, was meticulous in her investigating the details and analysing them, realistic in what the outcomes were likely to be and achieved a successful outcome. I would not hesitate in recommending her and Boyes Turner.

Boyes Turner Client

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Why choose Boyes Turner?

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"Our clients receive the highest standards of advice and representation and are always treated with compassion, outstanding care and understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact that life-changing injury can have upon their lives."

We are nationally acclaimed for our personal injury expertise and the outstanding results we achieve for our clients.
We secure early, funded rehabilitation and maximum compensation in claims for adults and children who have suffered catastrophic injury, and provide practical support for their families.
Our integrated multidisciplinary team offers our clients a full range of specialist help with compensation, rehabilitation, SEN, deputyship, personal injury trusts and community care.
We are ranked as leading personal injury experts in the Chambers Directory and Legal 500 guides to the legal profession and are accredited for their specialist expertise by the Law Society and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

Our people

Meet your specialist team
 
Kim Milan

Kim Milan

Senior Partner

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Claire Roantree headshots

Claire Roantree

Partner

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Martin Anderson

Martin Anderson

Associate Solicitor

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Hannah Lindley

Hannah Lindley

Solicitor

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Lucy Poulson

Lucy Poulson

Solicitor

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Eve Gunner

Eve Gunner

Paralegal

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Beth Hatton headshoot

Beth Hatton

Paralegal

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Leading personal injury solicitors for over 30 years

Our solicitors’ expertise in personal injury claims and their dedication to improving the lives of their injured clients has been recognised by the legal profession and disability charities for over 30 years.