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