Losing someone you love in a workplace accident is devastating. Understanding your legal rights — and the support available — can help you make the right decisions for your family when you are ready.
Who May Be Able to Claim?
A claim following a fatal workplace accident is typically brought under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. Eligible claimants may include:
- A spouse or civil partner of the deceased
- A person who was living with the deceased as their partner for at least two years before the death
- A parent or child of the deceased
- A sibling, aunt, or uncle
What a Fatal Accident Claim May Cover
Dependency Claims
Dependants who have lost financial support may claim for that loss — including lost income, pension, and the value of services the deceased provided such as childcare or home maintenance.
Bereavement Award
Certain close relatives are entitled to a statutory bereavement award under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 — a fixed sum set by law. The amount is reviewed periodically by Parliament.
Funeral Expenses
Reasonable funeral expenses may also be claimed.
The Inquest Process
Where a person dies in a workplace accident, a coroner's inquest may be held to establish the cause of death. Inquest findings can be relevant evidence in the civil claim. A civil claim can proceed alongside or after an inquest.
HSE Investigations
The HSE may investigate a fatal workplace accident. A criminal prosecution under health and safety law is separate from the civil compensation claim but can run alongside it.