Novum Law recognised in prestigious Chambers & Partners Guide 2024
The team at Novum Law are delighted to be once again recognised as one of the best personal injury law firms in the South West by the leading, independent legal...
If a loved one dies suddenly and unexpectedly due to a fatal accident or medical negligence, the shock and grief can be overwhelming.
Losing a family member or close friend to a fatal injury can turn your life completely upside down. It is one of the most traumatic experiences you’ll ever have to face.
Our team of fatal injury solicitors has helped many bereaved people make a fatal injury compensation claim after the loss of a loved one. We understand the pain and difficulties you’re going through. Our experience with fatal injury compensation claims includes:
- Road traffic accident claims – either in a car accident as a driver or passenger, a pedestrian, as a cyclist or motorcyclist or travelling on a bus or coach
- Medical negligence claims
- Accidents at work claims
- Work-related illnesses claims – including asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma
- Sports accident claims
- Horse riding accident claims
- Accidents in a public or private place claims
- Serious criminal assault claims
When a family member or close friend dies, it is understandable that you’ll want to know exactly why it happened. Our specialist fatal injury lawyers have the expertise to help you find out what caused the fatal accident, injury or illness and who was responsible.
If someone else is to blame for your loved one’s death, we can help and support you to make a claim for the maximum amount of fatal accident compensation.
We offer No Win No Fee funding which means you can make a fatal injury compensation claim on behalf of a loved one with no financial risk or hidden costs.
What is a statutory bereavement award?
A statutory bereavement award is a fixed sum of £12,980 which can be paid to the husband, wife or civil partner or a child of the deceased who was under 18 years old at the time of death. The award applies to England and Wales only and is made following the death of a person involved in an accident or illness due to someone else’s negligence. Your solicitor can advise you more about the statutory bereavement award and other benefits you may be eligible for including Widowed Parent’s Allowance (if you have children) and Bereavement Allowance (if you are aged between 45 and the State Pension Age).
Inquests
If your loved one died suddenly in uncertain or unusual circumstances or their death occurred in prison or police custody, the coroner may decide to hold an inquest. An inquest is conducted by a coroner to investigate and report on the cause of death.
Whilst a fatal injury claim investigates who was responsible for the death and seeks compensation for the loved ones’ family, a coroners inquest determines the cause of death.
If an inquest happens, our expert team can give you legal representation at what can be a highly stressful time and we will be with you every step of the way to guide and support you through the whole process.
Click here to find out more about inquests.
Public Inquiries for fatal injuries
Sometimes after major accidents or heath and social care problems, a public inquiry or inquest takes place to establish what happened, why it happened and what can be done to prevent it happening again.
Our specialist fatal injury and illness expertise means we can represent you and your family if there is a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of your loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know the thought of talking to a fatal injury solicitor about making a fatal injury claim compensation claim can be daunting. But it could be the first step you take to supporting your child’s recovery, and to a more financially stable future.
If your loved one has suffered a fatal injury, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.
Here is what you need to know:
- The first step is to get in touch with us. Call our specialist fatal injury team on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or contact us online for a free, no obligation chat.
- We will ask you for the details of what happened to your loved one. Based on this information, we will assess your case and advise if your fatal injury claim has a chance of success. We can often help even if you’ve been turned down by other law firms.
- Once we’ve taken on your case on a No Win No Fee basis, we will investigate the accident or negligence and work out who was to blame. This is often referred to as ‘liability’. Where relevant, using our team of experts, including accident investigators, medical experts and other professionals, we will liaise with the police and emergency services, interview witnesses and review any CCTV or photographs to understand exactly what happened and why.
- Our team will then guide you through the process of making a claim and advise you on what will happen at the inquest, if this applies in your case. We can provide legal representation at the inquest if that is something you’d welcome. During your claim, we will complete most of the paperwork on your behalf to allow you the time to focus on your grief and adjust to your loss. Click here to learn more about inquests.
- After we’ve got all the evidence prepared, we will contact the insurers of the person (or people) to blame for your loved one’s death. They are referred to as the ‘defendant’. If liability is accepted, we will be able to settle your case out of court. However, if no agreement is reached, we may have to go to court and a judge will decide the outcome. Even if your case goes to court, many fatal injury claims settle before the trial begins. If court proceedings start, our expert team of solicitors will be with you every step of the way and will work hard to get you maximum compensation for your claim.
- We will keep you updated throughout the compensation process and explain everything that’s happening. We have many years of experience helping people who’ve lost loved ones in tragic circumstances.
Yes. The general rule is that you have three years from the date your loved one’s death or from the date you realised their death may have been caused someone else’s mistake or negligence.
If your family member or friend was in the process of making a fatal injury compensation claim when they passed away, the three year time limit starts again from the date of their death. This allows family members additional time to continue with the claim.
Time can be a critical factor in fatal injury compensation claims, so it’s important to get in touch with our specialist fatal injury team as soon as possible for expert advice.
Every fatal injury compensation case is different. The exact compensation you can claim will depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident or negligence as well as other factors. These may include: any pain and suffering experienced, financial losses incurred including expenditure (e.g. care costs, administrative expenses, travel costs, funeral expenses, counselling services), loss of earnings and pension, loss of services and any dependency losses (e.g. if there are dependents who relied on your loved one’s income such as a spouse, children or aged parents).
Starting a fatal injury compensation claim is straightforward. To begin your claim, contact us on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or online for a free, no obligation chat. Click here to learn more about our team and the high level of expertise in your area of injury.
After an initial consultation phone call, your specialist solicitor will come to visit you in your home – or a location at your convenience – to discuss the details of your claim. This will include information such as how your injuries occurred and the impact that your injuries have on your day-to-day life, so they can understand your needs and advise you on the compensation you may be able to claim.
Our legal expert will also use this as an opportunity to talk you through the process of making a claim and to explain your funding options and any relevant paperwork for making your claim.
From that point on, your solicitor will pursue your claim on your behalf. The next step will be to contact the defendant’s insurers and to start gathering evidence to support your claim, liaising with medical experts and healthcare providers to access your records. Your solicitor will keep you updated as your claim progresses and at every step of the process.
There are no upfront or hidden costs when you make a compensation claim with Novum Law…read more
Most cases are settled without going to court. It is often necessary to issue court proceedings…read more
If you are making a compensation claim and you’re unhappy with the service or advice you are…read more
If you have a question that is not listed above, please visit our FAQs page. Alternatively, please call our specialist team on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation chat.
