Fatal Accident

Fatal Accidents

Adjusting to life without a loved one is never easy, and the grief experienced can be increasingly difficult if the death was due to a fatal accident or questionable circumstances. 

No amount of money can bring your loved one back or make up for the hurt you feel.  Compensation can though, ease some of the financial burden that you may be under. 

Forces Law can advise and represent you during a coroner’s inquest and help you to receive answers to the many questions you may have. 

In bringing a claim for compensation, Forces Law can help establish who can bring the claim and the type of claim that will be.  Usually, the claim is made on behalf of the victim.  Or, if you were reliant on your loved one’s income, a dependents claim may be more appropriate. 

Victims Claim

If your loved one suffered financial losses or any pain or suffering because of the accident, between the accident happening and their death, you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf. 

Dependents Claim

If someone was financially reliant on the deceased’s income, they may be able to bring a dependents claim if they can show there was a reasonable expectation of financial benefit. 

The claimant must be:

• Spouse or civil partner
• Ex spouse or civil partner
• Living as a couple (with the deceased) for more than two years
• A child or a person treated as a child
• Parent or guardian
• Grandparent or grandchild
• Sibling, or
• Aunt, uncle or cousin

Inquests

An inquest hearing often follow a fatal accident and is used to establish the facts including the identity of the deceased, place and time of death and the cause of death.  An inquest does not establish any blame or fault, but the evidence may be used in any subsequent claim.