MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Death Due to Negligence
In the most tragic of cases, medical negligence can lead to death. Should a claim arise from such circumstances, it is known as a “Fatal Accident Claim”. Our sensitive team understands how devastating it can be to deal with the aftermath of a death caused by medical negligence. Sometimes there is a post mortem and an Inquest, but not always. Families are often left with unanswered questions and in severe financial hardship. Fatal accident claims can often result in families getting the answers they need and can help to ease the financial burden.
The purpose of a compensation award in a fatal accidents claim is to try to put the dependants of the person who has died back in the financial position they would have been in, but for the negligence. It is usually the executor named in the Will who has the right to bring a claim on behalf of the family. If the person who died did not leave a Will, then a personal representative will bring the claim. We can discuss this further with you.
The types of compensation which can be claimed when there has been a fatal accident include:
- The “Bereavement Award”, which is a set sum awarded to the spouse of a deceased person or the parents of a deceased child in cases where negligence has led to death. This sum is set at £15,120.00.
- Compensation for loss of services (such as childcare, DIY, gardening, housework etc) and damages for loss of financial support (for example if you were financially dependent on the person who died).
- Compensation for any pre-death pain and suffering as a result of the negligence
Types of Claim
We have dealt with many types of fatal accident claim, including those arising from:
- The delayed diagnosis and treatment of cancer
- The delayed diagnosis and treatment of bowel issues, such as blockages
- The delayed treatment of septic arthritis
- Inadequate monitoring during labour and birth, leading to death of mother or baby
- Inadequate mental health care leading to suicide
If you suspect that a loved one may have died as a result of medical negligence, our sensitive and professional team can guide you through the process to ensure you receive the right advice when you need it most.