Has a loved one passed away due to a fatal accident at work that was caused by negligence? This article will look at some fatal accident examples and explore the compensation that could be owed in these scenarios.
We will also explore the main causes of fatal accidents as well as look at what evidence can be helpful to collect. In addition, we look at how a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could help with your claim.
Our advisors are available around the clock to answer any of your questions about fatal accidents providing examples of what may make a valid claim. They can help determine whether your case can be passed onto our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors who can make the process of claiming feel simpler.
To start the process, get in touch by:
- Calling the number above
- Using our form to contact us online
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of the screen
Fatal accident examples guide
Fatal Accident Examples
Fatal work accidents are ones that cause someone to lose their life. If the fatal accident happened due to an employer’s negligence and caused your loved one to lose their life, then you may have grounds to make a claim.
Negligence means a breach of the duty of care that’s owed. A duty of care is a responsibility that someone has towards your safety.
In the workplace, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Ac 1974 is the piece of legislation that outlines the duty of care an employer owes. It states that they need to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the safety of their employees.
If they breach this duty, and your loved one loses their life as a result, then you may be able to claim. Read on for more information on fatal accident examples and when you might be eligible to make a claim.
Fatal Work Accident Statistics
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) collect statistics on workplace accidents that are reported to them under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). In 2020/21, 142 fatal work injuries were reported.
The industry with the highest reported number of fatal accidents is construction with 39 incidents reported. The main kinds of fatal accident that happened across all industries included:
- Falls from a height
- Struck by a moving vehicle
- Struck by a moving object
- Trapped in a collapse or overturning accident
- Contact with moving machinery
Compensation Amounts For Fatal Accident Claims
Fatal accident claims can be made under the Fatal Accident Act 1976 (FAA) and The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934. These allow relatives of the loved one to qualify for certain compensation if the fatal accident was caused by negligence.
As part of a fatal workplace accident claim, you could receive:
- Compensation for the suffering of the deceased
- Funeral costs
- Bereavement award
- Loss of dependency, for example, if you were financially dependent on the deceased
- Loss of services award, for example, if the deceased performed services for you
The amount of compensation you may receive for the suffering of the deceased is outlined in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG publishes potential payout brackets for various injuries and their severity levels. The table below outlines possible compensation figures documented in the 16th edition of the JCG that was published in 2022:
| Injury | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quadriplegia | £324,600 to £403,990 | Various factors will influence how much is awarded. For example, level of awareness, life expectancy and level of pain. |
| Paraplegia | £205,580 to £266,740 | Various factors will influence how much is awarded. For example, level of awareness, life expectancy and level of pain. |
| Brain damage- Very severe | £219,070 to £284,260 | Within this bracket of injury, the person's level of meaningful response to their environment will be low or non-existence. They will require full time care. |
| Psychiatric Harm (General) - Severe | £54,830 to £115,730 | There will be an inability to cope with life and relationships, as well as school and education. |
| Fatality plus add on claims | Up to £550,000 and over | Compensation for the pain and suffering of the deceased as well as any losses (for example, loss of income) that affects relatives. |
| Lung disease/ Asbestosis | £100,670 to £135,920 | Where a young person is seriously disabled by this disease in a way that causes premature death. |
A bereavement award is a potential payout of £15,120 that can be awarded to certain relatives. The relatives that can claim it are:
- Spouses
- Cohabiting partners who lived together for 2 years prior to the death
- Parents of a minor who was not married, or mother of an illegitimate minor who was not married
However, if multiple people apply for the bereavement award then the money is divided equally between these parties. For more information on what compensation you may receive for fatal accidents, or for more information on fatal accident examples that could entitle you to claim, contact our advisors today.
What Are The Causes Of The Main Fatal Accident Examples?
All employees are owed a duty of care, which means that they need to take reasonable steps to ensure your safety. These steps could include:
- Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – All employers should provide suitable PPE where necessary. For example, they might need to provide hard hat on a construction site. Failure to do so could result in someone sustaining a fatal head injury.
- General housekeeping – All walkways should be cleared of obstructive materials and spills should be promptly cleaned. These hazards can cause slip, trip and fall accidents resulting in spine injuries, which can be fatal.
- Providing training and supervision – Employers should provide employees with relevant training and supervision to allow them to perform their job with reasonable safety.
Discussing fatal accident examples with one of our advisors could help you understand the strength of your own claim. They can also confirm if your case is valid. If so, they could connect you with a lawyer from our panel.
Evidence For Fatal Accident Claims
When you make a claim for a fatal accident, it’s important that you provide evidence. A lawyer can help you collect the proof you need to support your claim.
For example, this could include:
- Medical records – For example, you could provide medical records or the result of a post-mortem or inquiry.
- CCTV footage – Ask the employer for any CCTV footage that captured the accident happening.
- Accident at work book – All employers with 10 or more employees must have an accident at work book on site. Someone should fill this out with details of the accident.
- Pictures – Photographic evidence of the injury and accident site can help to show how negligence contributed to the accident happening.
- Witness statements – Collect witness details so a professional, like a lawyer, can collect statements at a later date.
For more information on what evidence to collect in support of your claim, contact our advisors today. They can provide fatal accident examples that can clarify the claims process for you.
What Goes Into A No Win No Fee Agreement?
A No Win No Fee agreement is an affordable way of securing a solicitor’s services. It is a common umbrella term covering Conditional Fee Agreements, which our panel of expert solicitors offer.
Hiring a CFA lawyer doesn’t cost anything and if your claim fails you do not pay anything for their services. If your claim is successful, your lawyer will take a small, legally-capped success fee. This will be a percentage of your fatal injury compensation.
Discuss Fatal Work Accident Examples
If you would like to make a claim with our panel of expert CFA lawyers, then get in touch with our advisors today. They can help understand if you have grounds for a claim and can connect you with our panel of lawyers, provided your case is valid. Contact us today by:
- Calling the number above
- Using our form to contact us online
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of the screen
Further Information About Fatal Accident Examples
Please our other useful articles:
- Head here to learn more about fatal accident at work claims
- Tips and advice on claiming fatal injury compensation
- Who can make a fatal accident claim? – check the eligibility criteria here
- Fatal accident solicitors – head here to learn about finding legal support
- Learn more about fatal accident compensation payouts here
- Head here to check the average compensation payouts for a fatal accident
We have also provided helpful external links too:
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
Contact our advisors for more information regarding fatal accident examples today.
Writer Jack Easton
Publisher Fern Summers
