Fatal Accident Claim in West Lothian

A fatal accident claim is a special and complex type of injury claim. It is especially different in that you would have to show how you personally have suffered loss as a result of the victim’s death. Considerable expertise is required on the part of the solicitor who handles fatal accident claims, so you should take great care in choosing one.

Can I claim for a fatal accident?

There are two aspects to qualifying for compensation due to fatal accident.

Firstly, You must show that the person killed would have been eligible for compensation themselves. I.e. they died as a consequence of someone else’s negligence, and would have been able to claim damages if they had survived.

Secondly, you must be a dependent of the deceased and suffered loss because of their death. In brief, “dependent” includes immediate family such as parents, non-adult children, spouse or cohabitor. Your solicitor will be able to advise you on degree of dependency and your ability to claim.

How much can I claim for a fatal accident?

The amount of the award will depend entirely on financial loss. It will be assessed on such things as a spouse’s future income, benefits such as pensions and other entitlements, and anticipated gifts and services.

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Personal Injury Advice in West Lothian

If you have suffered an injury which wasn’t your fault, you should consult a solicitor who specialises in personal injury advice.

Will I have to pay for advice on my personal injury claim?

Many personal injury solicitors will not charge for advice given during the first meeting. Only once they have decided whether you may have a case will they consider proceeding, when they will charge for further advice. You will then have to agree how your solicitor’s fees are to be paid in the event that you win, lose, or drop the case.

Can my local solicitor give advice on my personal injury claim?

While you will already have a close relationship with the solicitor who handles your affairs, such as writing a will, arranging property transfers and so on, you should always go to a solicitor who specialises in giving advice on personal injury claims.

The effects of an injury can be wide ranging and more than your legal rights are involved in determining your eligibility for, and amount of, compensation. For this reason, a solicitor requires a combination of legal and medical expertise, and most personal injury solicitors will have built up a list of useful contacts and barristers’ chambers to call on when specialist advice is required.

How can I check a solicitor can give specialist personal injury advice?

In the first instance, check that your solicitor’s firm includes lawyers who are accredited members of the two principle legal bodies in this field; the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIC) and the Law Society’s personal injury panel. You should also ask if they have solicitors who belong to associations for the specific injury your claim is about – for example the Spinal Injuries Association or the Headway Panel.

You should also ask your solicitor about their record in personal injury claims. Can they give you any case histories of advice given for successful claims similar to yours?

Claim Now in West Lothian

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