Timescales

Often, the last thing that is on family’s mind when a loved one has died is bringing a compensation claim. But it is important to be aware that there are strict time limits for bringing fatal accident claims.

Speak to an Expert

How can we help?

Any loved one’s death is upsetting but if it could have been avoided due to medical negligence or an accident, the impact on your whole family is devastating. We understand that making a compensation claim is not always a family’s priority but the law imposes strict time limits for families thinking about starting a claim. Families have three years from the date of a loved one’s death to start a claim. This means that by the third anniversary of the deceased’s death, a Claim Form must be issued at court. However, if there is a Human Rights Act element to the claim, the timeframe is even shorter and the claim must be started before the one year of the anniversary of your loved one’s death. We are here to make a compensation claim as easy and as straight forward as possible. We are here to guide you through the process and listen to your concerns. We are on your side and we can help you to get the answers that you need to understand what went wrong in the loved one’s medical treatment or caused the accident.

Fatal Claims

What You Can Claim For

No amount of money is going to bring back someone who passed away due to negligence or an accident. We can ease some of the financial burden by obtaining compensation for fatalities that might have been avoided.

Meet our Team

Our experienced team will be on hand to support you throughout the claim process.

What should you do next?

Due to the strict time limits, we recommend that you contact us as soon as you feel ready to talk about bringing a compensation claim, so that there is enough time for us to undertake our investigations and provide you with our advice. We are happy to act on a no win no fee basis so if you would like our help at this difficult time, contact our expert team to discuss your fatal claim and the tragic circumstances of your loved one’s death.

Life Changing Stories

We are dedicated to supporting the families affected by deaths due to serious injury or medical negligence. Below are some personal stories that highlight the experiences of those we’re proud to have helped along the way:

About Us

Every client who brings a claim following a death will experience the values that distinguish CL Medilaw. We are proud to be:

Client-First

You’re more than just another case to our friendly team. We’re invested in you and want to obtain the result you deserve.

Tailored-Support

Every person we represent is completely unique. We’ll adapt our strategy to suit your circumstances.

Fee-Assured

If you’re worried about the cost of bringing a claim, we offer No Win, No Fee to help secure your funding.

Results-Focused

Ultimately, everything we do is geared towards our main goal — achieving the right result for you.

Fatal Claim FAQs

Yes, there are limitations on pursuing a fatal claim in the UK. The time limit for bringing a claim is generally three years from the date of the deceased person’s death. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:

  1. If the cause of death was not immediately known, the time limit may be extended until three years from the date of knowledge.

  2. If the person bringing the claim is under 18 years of age, the time limit may be extended until three years from their 18th birthday.

  3. If the person bringing the claim has a mental disability, the time limit may be extended until they are no longer mentally disabled.

  4. In cases of medical negligence, the time limit may be extended if it can be shown that the claimant did not become aware of the negligence until after the three-year time limit had expired.