Here at JMR Solicitors, we know that losing a loved one is devastating and it takes a lot of time to come to terms with the loss. When there has been a fatal accident, claiming compensation is the last thing on your mind, but here at JMR Solicitors, we will take that pressure and worry away from you as we offer you practical advice and assistance in a sympathetic and sensitive manner.
Who can make a fatal accident compensation claim?
The law says that a “dependant” can make a fatal accident compensation claim.
A dependant can be:
- A husband or wife, or former husband or wife of the deceased
- A civil partner or former partner of the deceased
- A person who was living with the deceased as husband or wife for at least two years prior to the death
- A parent or other dependant of the deceased
- A person who was treated by the deceased as his or her parent
- A child or other dependant of the deceased
- A person, who in the case of a marriage to which the deceased was at any time a party, was treated by the deceased as a child of the family in relation to that marriage
- A person who is a brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew or cousin of the deceased
Please note that the dependant must prove that they were or would become dependent on the deceased.
What is dependency compensation in a fatal injury claim?
This dependency can be financial if the dependant relied on the income of the deceased for example, to help pay household bills or a contribution towards the mortgage, or it can be a reliance on services for example, if the deceased did the housework, looked after the children etc. There is also a statutory bereavement award of £10,000 payable if the deceased was your husband or wife or your child who was under the age of 18.
What else can you claim for apart from dependency?
In addition to the dependency claim, there may be a claim for:
- The pain and suffering of the deceased
- Funeral expenses
Is my head injury considered a fatal accident which I can claim compensation for?
Every year, more than one million people in the United Kingdom are admitted to hospital as a result of a head or brain injury. This equates to one hospital admission every 90 seconds. There are many more brain injuries that go unreported.
Head injuries include the following:
- Fractures to the skull and face
- Lacerations and bruises
- Injuries from Scalping
To find out if you can claim compensation for your head injury, call us on 0161 491 3933 for a free initial consultation.
What is considered a fatal or serious injury which I could claim compensation for?
If you or a member of your family has been seriously injured in an accident, we can provide expert advice and guidance. We understand the injured parties and their family’s needs, and we cooperate with medical rehabilitation specialists to increase independence and provide future financial security.
Here are some examples of claims in which we have successfully obtained compensation for injured parties:
- Severe brain/head injuries
- Injury to the spinal cord
- Brain injury in a child
- Amputations
- Serious neurological disorders that cause paralysis and other disabilities
- Limb amputation
How do I cover the legal costs for claiming for a fatal injury?
If you are concerned about financing your fatal or serious injury claim, rest assured that we provide our services on a no-win-no-fee basis, allowing you to pursue your claim for compensation without having to worry about any upfront legal fees.
Before we begin working on your claim, we will meet with you for an initial, free consultation to assess your claim and determine its chances of success.