
Fatal Accident Compensation Claims
We are here to help you if you are dealing with losing a loved one in a fatal accident, including finding out what happened and claiming compensation.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell to make a compensation claim for a fatal accident?
After the loss of a loved one, you might be struggling with the emotions you’re feeling.
Our serious injury team has decades of experience in helping families deal with the loss of a loved one. We are here to support you every step of the way, from making a claim to guiding you through an inquest, if required.
We have a range of support services, and our rehabilitation co-ordinators can help to put you in touch with charities, councillors and other local support networks.
We have an in-house counsellor, Vicky Lambert, who’s available for one-to-one sessions.
You can also read our coping with bereavement pages and support documents here.
Meet a specialist from our team
Our market leading team will help you understand your rights, secure the compensation you’re owed, and access vital support – from rehabilitation to long-term care.

Who can make a fatal accident claim?
To make a fatal accident claim on behalf of a loved one who has died in an accident, you must be a qualifying person under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.
A qualifying person includes:
- Spouses, civil partners, and cohabitees (who have lived together for at least two years)
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings (aunts, uncles, grandparents etc)
- Dependents.
What types of accident can be claimed for?
Fatal accident claims can be made after any accident caused by another person or organisation's negligence, which resulted in your loved one passing away.
The type of fatal accidents we have helped with include:
- Road traffic accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Medical negligence
- Accidents in public places.
Is there a time limit for fatal accident claims?
Yes, there is a time limit for making a fatal accident claim. This is commonly three years from the date of the death, or from the date you became aware that someone's negligence caused the death.
However, there are some exceptions to this three-year rule. These are:
- If your loved one was involved in a fatal accident when you were under 18, the three-year time limit doesn't start until your 18th birthday.
- A court waives the three-year rule because of exceptional circumstances under the Limitation Act 1980.
Get the help you need
Contact us today for a free initial consultation to talk through your claim for a fatal accident.
Call us free on 0370 1500 100
Making an enquiry
We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.
Complete our online formWe need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phoneOn the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointmentIf we’re able to support you further, the next step is an appointment with one of our specialists so we can discuss everything in more detail.
Frequently asked questions about fatal accident claims
Get answers to your questions about dealing with the death of a loved one—we have an extremely experienced team of specialists in fatal accidents, so we can help you through this.Services to help with your fatal accident claim
We can help with legal guidance and advice as well as other services you might need to aid your recovery and get your life back on track.Irwin Mitchell Scotland
Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.




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