If you’ve lost a loved one because of someone else’s actions or negligence, you don’t have to face it alone. Your family may be able to claim compensation on a no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and if you win, our fees come out of your compensation.
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A fatal accident claim is a type of legal claim for compensation after a loved one has died because of somebody else’s negligence. If someone else was at fault, your family may be able to claim.
This can never make up for your loss, but it can help ease financial pressure and give you some breathing space while you focus on what truly matters.
Most fatal injury claims are made under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. This law allows families to seek compensation after a death caused by negligence and to receive financial support when it is needed most.
Compensation in a fatal injury claim can help cover things such as:
We know how devastating and life-changing a fatal injury can be. Our role is to handle the legal process for you, so you can focus on your family while we work to get your family the financial support it’s entitled to.
You usually have three years to make a fatal accident claim. This runs from the date of your loved one’s death, or from when you first knew the death may have been caused by someone else’s negligence.
If a child is one of the family members claiming, the time limit may not start for them until they turn 18. Every family’s situation is different, so we’ll check the time limits that apply to you.
It’s best to get in touch when you feel ready, as evidence can be harder to find over time.
We understand how overwhelming things can feel. Our personal injury team will guide you through each step with clarity and care.
Let us take some of the pressure off you and your family.
Sadly, fatal accidents are more common than many people realise, affecting families from all walks of life every year.
Fatal personal injuries and accidents are often caused by negligence, where a person or organisation has failed in their duty of care. Below are some of the most common situations in which fatal accidents and injuries occur:
These may involve cars, motorcycles, cyclists or pedestrians, and are often caused by careless driving, speeding, drink or drug use or a failure to follow road laws.
Fatal outcomes can occur when mistakes are made by healthcare professionals, such as missed diagnoses, delays in treatment, surgical errors or inadequate care.
Workplaces have a legal responsibility to keep employees safe. Fatal accidents can happen when proper training, safety equipment or risk assessments are not in place.
Some deaths are caused by long-term exposure to hazardous substances, such as asbestos or harmful chemicals, leading to serious and often fatal illnesses, sometimes many years later.
Construction work is high-risk, and fatal accidents may happen due to unsafe working practices, poor supervision, faulty equipment or falls from height.
Fatal injuries can also occur in places such as shops, car parks, pavements or leisure facilities (for example, in the form of slips, trips or falls) where hazards were not properly maintained or made safe.
Making a claim after losing a loved one is not just about money. It is about protecting your family’s future, getting answers, and holding the right people to account. Under English law, a successful fatal accident claim can provide support in several important ways:
The law allows certain close relatives to receive a fixed bereavement award. This includes a husband, wife or civil partner, a partner who lived with them for at least two years, or the parents of an unmarried child under 18. It’s a formal recognition of the emotional loss suffered.
Compensation can cover funeral costs and other immediate expenses following a death, helping to ease the financial strain at a very difficult time.
If your loved one contributed to household income, the claim can include the earnings your family has lost and may continue to lose in the future.
Many people provide practical and emotional support, such as childcare, home help or care for relatives. The law allows this lost support to be valued and included in a claim.
If medical treatment or care was provided before your loved one passed away, the claim can include hospital bills, nursing care and other related expenses.
A claim can hold the person or organisation responsible to account, which for many families is an important part of finding closure.
We keep the process clear and supportive, so you can focus on your loved ones while we take care of the legal side:
Ensure the death is registered and obtain the death certificate, along with any post-mortem or inquest details if these are available.
Keep any documents linked to the accident or medical treatment, including hospital records, correspondence and witness details.
Contact our team for a free, no-obligation conversation. We’ll listen to what has happened and explain your options in clear, simple terms.
If you choose to proceed, we will gather evidence, instruct experts where needed and submit the claim on your behalf, dealing with insurers and solicitors for the other side.
Most fatal accident claims are resolved without going to court. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will take your case forward and fight for the compensation your family is entitled to.
Speak to our friendly team today. You are not alone, and you may have a case.
Your family may be able to claim if your loved one died because someone else was careless. We’ll need to show they were at fault, and that this caused the death. We can check this for you for free.
Every fatal accident claim is unique, and the amount of compensation awarded can vary depending on the individual circumstances.
It may include a bereavement award, funeral costs and compensation for any financial support lost as a result of your loved one’s death. While no amount can make up for such a loss, compensation can help relieve some of the financial strain during a difficult time.
A no-win, no-fee agreement, also called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), means you don’t pay anything upfront. If your claim isn’t successful, you won’t pay our legal fees. If we win, our fees are taken from your compensation, and we’ll explain exactly how much before you sign anything. We’ll also arrange After the Event (ATE) insurance, which covers certain costs if your claim doesn’t succeed. This protection depends on you being honest throughout your claim.
This may include a death certificate, medical records, accident reports, witness statements or findings from a coroner’s inquest. In some cases, financial documents may also be required to show the impact the loss has had on your family.
These help show what happened and how the loss has affected your family. If you don’t have everything, don’t worry. We’ll help you gather what you need.
In most cases, you will not need to go to court. Most fatal accident claims are settled outside of court through negotiation between your solicitor and the insurance company or the party responsible for the death.
If an agreement cannot be reached, however, the claim may proceed to court. If this happens, your expert fatal injury solicitor will guide you through the process and handle the legal steps on your behalf.
Every case is different – meaning, each resolution period differs, too. If the defendant admits liability, the claim could be resolved in a few months. However, for more complicated cases, such as disputes over medical evidence or neglect, this could be longer.
Your claim will be handled by our personal injury team. The team is made up mainly of solicitors and trainee solicitors, supported by paralegals and legal secretaries.
We’ll send you a secure link to sign your documents online. If you have any trouble, just call us and we’ll talk you through it.
We have extensive experience handling fatal injury claims.
Nothing to pay upfront. If you win, our fees come out of your compensation.
Every family’s situation is different, so we tailor our support to your needs.
Our personal injury team will work hard to get your family the best outcome.
If a loved one has been impacted by someone else's negligence, don't wait. Contact CEL Solicitors to explore your personal injury options.
