When someone loses their life because of another person’s negligence, the emotional devastation for their family is immense. While no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of a loved one, the law in England and Wales recognises that families should not suffer financial hardship because of a wrongful death.
Fatal accident compensation exists to protect families who depended on the deceased and to recognise the pain of bereavement. Below is a guide to the main types of compensation that may be claimed following a fatal accident.
What Is a Fatal Accident Claim?
A fatal accident claim is brought when a person dies as a result of someone else’s negligence, breach of duty or wrongdoing. Common examples include:
- Road traffic accidents
- Accidents at work
- Medical negligence
- Industrial disease
- Public place accidents
Claims are brought by the deceased’s estate and/or their dependants under two key laws:
- The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934
- The Fatal Accidents Act 1976
Each allows different types of compensation to be recovered.
1. Bereavement Award
The bereavement award is a statutory payment designed to recognise the emotional impact of losing a loved one.
As of current law in England and Wales, the bereavement award is:
£15,120
This amount is fixed by law and is not based on circumstances, income, or emotional suffering.
Who can claim it?
Only certain people are eligible:
- The spouse or civil partner of the deceased
- A cohabiting partner who lived with the deceased for at least two years before death
- Parents of a child under 18 who was never married
Sadly, children, siblings, and parents of adult children are excluded under the current law.
2. Dependency Claims
The largest part of most fatal accident claims comes from dependency compensation. This reflects the financial and practical support the deceased would have provided.
There are two types:
A. Financial Dependency
This covers loss of income and benefits the deceased would have provided, including:
- Salary and wages
- Pensions
- Bonuses
- Household bills paid by the deceased
- Child maintenance
- Mortgage contributions
This is calculated by looking at:
- The deceased’s income
- Their age
- Their career prospects
- How much they spent on themselves
- How long the dependency would have lasted
In serious cases, this can amount to hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds.
B. Services Dependency
This covers the practical things the deceased used to do, such as:
- Childcare
- DIY
- Gardening
- Cleaning
- School runs
- Caring for a disabled family member
Even if the deceased was not earning money, the law recognises that their time and services have financial value.
3. Funeral Expenses
The estate can recover reasonable funeral costs, including:
- Funeral director’s fees
- Cremation or burial costs
- Coffin
- Flowers
- Headstone
These are usually paid from the claim rather than the family having to bear the burden.
4. Pain and Suffering Before Death
If the deceased lived for any period after the accident, compensation can be claimed for:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Distress
- Loss of awareness
This is brought by the estate under the Law Reform Act.
5. Loss of Life Expectancy
A modest award can be made for the deceased’s loss of life itself. This is usually a small fixed sum but forms part of the estate claim.
6. Who Can Bring a Fatal Accident Claim?
Claims can be brought by:
- The executor or administrator of the estate
- The spouse, civil partner or long-term partner
- Children
- Parents
- Anyone financially dependent on the deceased
Time limits require claims to be brought within 3 years of the death.
We assist families with fatal accident and wrongful death claims through our solicitor partners in both the UK and Türkiye.
We are particularly experienced in supporting:
- Families based in Türkiye who have lost a relative in the UK
- Cross-border cases involving British and Turkish nationals
- Dependants living abroad who are entitled to compensation under UK law
We work closely with specialist UK personal injury solicitors to ensure claims are properly investigated, valued accurately, and pursued robustly against insurers and defendants.