"My husband was killed in a road traffic accident."

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Fatal Accidents

Fatal Accident Compensation Claims

The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one is devastating for both family and friends. At Hudgell Solicitors, our team of fatality compensation specialists are highly-experienced in investigating deaths linked to medical negligence, as a result of accidents on the roads or at work, and following police involvement.

Our trusted and compassionate team of specialist lawyers can support you through the claims process and give guidance on your legal position with the deepest understanding of your loss. We know it is a time when those left behind are faced with the difficult challenge of coming to terms with the reality of what has happened – trying to understand it – and the huge emotional task of starting to plan for life without them.

Specialists in Fatal Accident Claims

Our specialists offer the highest quality advice for coping with the loss, and as part of the fatal accident claims process we will suggest relevant charities and organisations that you can turn to, whilst helping you to fully understand the details of your claim. We offer a service that is personal and puts you and your family’s needs first.

Our caring approach to legal advice allows us to support clients with fatal accident claims, which can be complex, time consuming and distressing.
Our team of fatal accident lawyers will always pursue every avenue to identify the facts surrounding the accident.
We will always pursue every avenue within a case to find out what the circumstances were when the accident happened.
We don’t just seek to recover the fatal accident compensation you deserve, but we are also there to help you every step of the way.

Cruse Bereavement Care was founded in 1959 in Richmond upon Thames and is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

Making a Fatal Accident Claim

Fatal accident claims can be complex and demanding because of the legal issues surrounding them. We know the death of a loved one can leave families struggling to cope both financially and physically at home, and although no amount of money can make up for the physical loss, a fatal injury compensation claim can help people make vital adjustments to life, both in the short and long-term.

Having worked on complex cases like this for many years, we have experience of obtaining substantial compensation following a fatal accident on behalf of bereaved families, whether the incident occurred on the road, at work or in other circumstances.

Our Fatal Accident Experts

Simon Wilson Head of New Claims and Senior Solicitor Read more

Jane Woodcock Head of Personal Injury Read more

Samuel McFadyen Associate, Personal Injury Read more

Kent Pattinson Senior Solicitor, Personal Injury Read more

Leanne Stephenson Associate, Civil Liberties Read more

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Vicky Richardson, Manager, Civil Liberties Read Full Story

"Former Sussex Police officer guilty of ‘gross misconduct’ over Shana Grice failings"

Vicky Richardson, Manager, Civil Liberties Read Full Story

"Widow of Croydon tram crash victim says compensation settlement is only ‘first hurdle’ towards closure following husband’s death"

Read Full Story

How much will my claim cost?

All fatality cases taken on by Hudgell Solicitors are handled on a no win no fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay any money up front and there will be no financial risk if your case is unsuccessful.

If your case is successful, you will only be expected to pay a contribution to your solicitor’s fees once the case has been resolved. The costs paid are usually a percentage of the compensation awarded and will be agreed before your case is carried out.

Find out more

"As a solicitor representing victims of the Croydon tram crash last year, it was particularly interesting to read some of the details published from the"

Kent Pattinson, Senior Solicitor, Personal Injury

FAQs

How do I make a fatal accident claim?

While money can in no way compensate for the sudden loss of a loved one, claiming compensation can help ease your financial burden and help you take care of pressing financial matters.

Our dedicated personal injury team, which includes many fatal accident solicitors and specialists, have successfully pursued compensation claims on behalf of:

The husband or wife of the deceased

The former husband or wife of the deceased

The children and dependents of the deceased

Parents of the deceased

A civil partner of the deceased

A brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew or cousin of the deceased

If your quality of life or financial position has been altered because of a fatal accident to a loved one, contact us now through our claim online form and one of our specialists will call you back to give initial advice about your case. This consultation is free of charge and all claims are dealt with on a no win no fee basis so there is no financial risk to you.

Why would I need to make a fatal accident claim?

If you were financially dependent on the deceased you may be able to claim for the loss of financial support, other support such as childcare or household duties, and for loss of any other benefits such as pension rights.

Although fatal accident dependency awards are sometimes a necessity for the family that gets left behind, there are many more reasons to pursue a claim – not just compensation for the death and hurt which has been caused.

For some, discovering the truth about what happened and getting an apology is just as important.

Should you pursue a claim with Hudgell Solicitors, your case will be handled sensitively and with sympathy by an experienced solicitor with extensive experience of handling claims of this nature.

In appropriate circumstances we will assist you with inquest representation and/or advice and assistance with criminal or health and safety proceedings brought about as a result of the accident.

The law and making a fatal accident claim

According to The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 law, fatal accident compensation can be awarded on behalf of any “dependents” of the person who died.

Whilst dealing with the emotional loss is always the first priority following a fatal injury or accident, thoughts may eventually turn to much more practical matters – such as how to maintain some level of financial stability after the loss of a spouse or partner, who was the main income earner.

As experienced fatal accident claims solicitors, we help families claim the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to.

Although each case is different because of the individual circumstances, if the loss of a main family earner has occurred you may be able to claim for all or some of the following:

Childcare costs

Compensation for tasks or services the deceased performed such as childcare, DIY and housework

Counselling services

Funeral expenses

Household expenses

Loss of benefits or pension rights

Loss of income to family dependents

Medical expenses

Probate costs

Pain and suffering of the deceased

How do I choose the right fatal accident legal specialist?

At Hudgell Solicitors, we don’t just seek to recover the fatal accident compensation you deserve, we are there to help you every step of the way. Our team of fatal accident lawyers will always pursue every avenue in the hunt for the truth.

Our caring approach to legal advice allows us to support clients with fatal accident claims, which can be complex, time consuming and distressing, by offering a service that is personal and puts you and your family’s needs first.

So, if you need advice regarding the loss of a loved one due to a fatal accident or fatal injury, contact our down to earth and friendly team today for free advice and support about your case.

How we’ll help secure a Statutory Bereavement Award after a fatal accident

If the deceased was your husband or wife, or your child under the age of 18 on the date of their death, this is a fixed sum of £12,980 which is awarded.

Paid in addition to any fatal accident dependency calculations and claims that you may, our team of specialists will help to secure these funds on your behalf, and at no cost to you, to help take the stress out of the process.

Medical Inquests

Suffering the loss of a loved one is devastating. It’s even harder to deal with if you discover that the actions of the professionals entrusted with their care may have contributed towards their death.

Death in Custody

Whenever there is a death in custody, the family which is left behind usually want to obtain as much information as possible about the circumstances surrounding it so that they can try to find some closure.

Inquest Solicitors

Trying to come to terms with the sudden loss of a loved one can be a deeply distressing experience, especially when the exact circumstances of their death are unknown or unclear.