Fatal medical negligence compensation claims
Explore how we can help you and your family with any medical negligence legal issues.
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When medical negligence results in death
No amount of money can compensate for the death of a loved one. But if your loved one’s death was as a result of medical negligence, compensation can provide essential support for the deceased’s dependants, helping ease any financial burdens.
When you lose a loved one, compensation can be a lifeline for you after what is undoubtedly an extremely traumatic event. Compensation can also provide crucial support for any dependants the deceased may have.
What is a fatality due to medical negligence?
A fatality due to medical negligence occurs when a patient dies as a result of a healthcare provider’s failure to provide the appropriate level of care or treatment. Medical negligence, also known as medical malpractice, occurs when a healthcare professional deviates from the standard of care that is expected in their field, resulting in harm to the patient.
What is a fatal medical negligence claim?
A fatal medical negligence claim is a legal action taken against a healthcare provider or facility for causing the death of a patient due to a breach of duty of care. It involves proving that the healthcare provider’s actions or inactions directly led to the patient’s death.
Fatality due to medical negligence – the key information
In general, where medical negligence has resulted in a death, claims for compensation can include the following:
- a fixed bereavement award. Only certain family members can claim, for instance, a husband or wife, or parents of a deceased child, but a child cannot claim for a deceased parent
- a dependency claim. Only certain family members can bring such a claim, which can include “financial dependency” and “service dependency” (things such as housekeeping, DIY that the deceased previously provided)
- reasonable funeral expenses
- an award for the deceased’s own pain and suffering prior to death
Claims involving the death of a child or an elderly relative can be particularly difficult for families and in such cases the Court’s ability to award compensation is often limited. We can help guide you through the Court process at this difficult time.
How Moore Barlow can help
If you have lost a loved one due to negligence, you or your family should contact a solicitor as soon as possible. The sooner we can commence work on your claim, the sooner we can begin to help you. If you believe that you or someone you know has suffered as a result of medical negligence please contact us.
We have offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington and Woking. We deal with clients throughout the country and we will visit you at your home, hospital or rehabilitation unit.