It’s never easy to talk about death. Though it’s something that affects all of us at different points in our lives, it’s a subject we tend to avoid. But there are times when we have to face up to the consequences – no matter how uncomfortable, or how harrowing it may be.
While most people die of what can be described as ‘natural causes’, there are times when what the statisticians describe as ‘external causes’ are to blame. Amongst that smaller subset of human mortality, fatal accidents take their toll. Whether that’s road traffic related deaths or fatal accidents at work, losing a loved one in these circumstances is the stuff of nightmares.
There’s often scope for a claim
While it’s hard enough for people to cope with the grief of an unexpected death in the family, dealing with the harsh realities of adjusting to life without a husband, wife, partner or child can be a major challenge.
When someone has died as the result of an accident, it is often the case that an element of blame can be attributed to another party. Whether that’s an organisation or an individual, it could be the case that there is scope for a claim on behalf of the deceased’s family. After all, losing a loved one can have a profound impact on a family’s finances if, for example, the victim was the main wage earner in a couple or family.
The law makes clear provision when a fatal accident has occurred. In Scotland, the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011 applies and personal injury solicitors are well used to helping families who find themselves in these sensitive circumstances.
The Act refers to four main areas where claims for damages can be made following a fatality. These are:
- Loss of Society – which is the pain and suffering caused by the loss of a loved one
- Loss of Support – loss of financial support from the deceased (for example, where they were the main earner in the household)
- Loss of Services – where additional cost will be incurred as a result of services the deceased provided to their relatives (things such as DIY, car maintenance)
- Other expenses – such as funeral costs.
It is, of course, hard to think clearly about financial issues when trying to cope with a sudden loss. That’s where professional support is so valuable. Personal injury solicitors deal with these difficult circumstances on a frequent basis. They understand the complexities – both emotional and legal – and they are trained to help the dependents and other close relatives of the deceased to access the compensation they are entitled to receive.
Don’t suffer alone
No amount of compensation can ever make up for the loss of someone you love. But for a family struggling to move on with their lives, compensation can be the difference between making ends meet or sinking into even deeper despair. For any family suffering from the loss of a loved one in a fatal accident the advice is clear: contact a trained personal injury solicitor, you’ll find that they’re only too happy to help.