Fatal injury claims arise when a loved one passes away due to the wrongful act or negligence of another party. Dealing with such a situation can be incredibly challenging and heart-wrenching for the family left behind. Apart from coping with the emotional aspect, the family may also need to consider seeking compensation for their loss. This compensation, while it cannot fill the void left by the death of a loved one, can provide support for future costs and help the family rebuild their lives.
Navigating through the process of fatal injury claims can be quite complex, making it important to have knowledgeable support during these difficult times. With extensive experience dealing with such cases, legal professionals can help guide families through the process and offer valuable advice on the course of action to take.
Key Takeaways
- Fatal injury claims arise from the wrongful act or negligence of another party
- Seeking compensation for the loss offers support for future costs and helps families rebuild
- Experienced legal professionals can guide families through the complex claim process
Circumstances for Fatal Injury Claims
Fatal injury claims may arise in various situations, such as:
- Work accidents
- Road traffic incidents
- Medical negligence
- Airline events
- Assaults
- Public liability incidents
These claims typically involve a death resulting from another party’s wrongful act or fault due to breach of duty of care.
Examples of Fatal Medical Negligence Claims
Here is a list of various situations that may lead to fatal medical negligence claims:
- Delayed Hospital Referrals: When a patient needs specialist attention and their general practitioner fails to provide a timely referral to a hospital, the delay could potentially result in a fatal injury due to the late diagnosis and intervention.
- Delayed Diagnosis: Failing to accurately diagnose a patient’s condition in a timely manner might lead to serious adverse health consequences. This could be due to misinterpreting initial test results or ignoring vital signs which, in turn, may result in medical negligence claims.
- Delayed Surgery: Unnecessary delays in surgery as a consequence of negligence may worsen a patient’s condition, possibly even making their illness terminal.
- Surgical Negligence: Problems related to surgical errors may have a devastating impact on patients and can sometimes be fatal.
- Fatal Medication Errors: Errors in prescriptions or administering medications can lead to adverse side effects and even death. Examples include providing wrong medications or incorrect dosages.
- Negligence During Childbirth: While certain risk factors might increase the likelihood of maternal death during childbirth, it is estimated that up to 60% of such deaths are preventable. Maternal deaths due to medical professional’s negligence may include cases of inadequate control of serious bleeding, infections or dangerously high blood pressure (preeclampsia).
In all of these cases, it is crucial for the affected families to seek legal help to investigate and potentially file a fatal medical negligence claim, as they have the right to obtain justice and compensation for their loss.
Making a Fatal Injury Claim after a Loved One has Passed Away
Who is Eligible to Bring a Fatal Injury Claim?
When a person’s death is caused by another’s wrongful act, the deceased’s dependents can pursue a claim for damages. Only one claim can be made on behalf of the deceased’s estate. For the first six months following the death, the personal representatives hold the exclusive right to bring a fatal injury claim. After this period, the statutory dependents can initiate a legal action.
Determining Statutory Dependents
The Civil Liability Act 1961 outlines the criteria for qualifying as a statutory dependent. The list of potential statutory dependents include:
- Spouse
- Child
- Parent
- Stepparent
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
- Sibling
- Half-sibling
- Adopted child
- Person acting in place of a parent
- Cohabiting partner for over three continuous years, demonstrating a relationship akin to marriage
- Former spouse, provided they show financial loss
Before initiating a fatal injury claim, it’s crucial to gather evidence and seek legal advice from experienced medical negligence solicitors. They can help guide the next of kin or personal representative through the complex process of seeking compensation and ensure a fair settlement is reached.
What Can You Claim For?
Special Damages
Special Damages cover out-of-pocket expenses related to a fatal injury. These expenses include the cost of funeral arrangements and, in cases where the deceased was a foreign national, the cost of transporting the body abroad and applicable airfares.
Emotional and Mental Distress Compensation
The Civil Liability Act 1961 allows for a payment called Solatium to be awarded to dependants of a deceased person for mental distress in fatal personal injury cases. The current maximum amount of Solatium is capped at €35,000 in total and serves as an acknowledgement of grief, rather than a compensation for it.
Loss of Dependency Claim
The Loss of Dependency Claim category has two subcategories:
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Financial Dependency Loss
This type of claim is for any dependant who relied financially on the deceased at the time of their death. By working closely with accountants, a report is prepared outlining the financial loss that will be incurred in the future due to the loss of the deceased.
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Loss of Services
To calculate the value of the Loss of Services, one must determine the value of services provided by the deceased to their household or dependants prior to their death. These services can include childcare, cooking, gardening, repairs, and maintenance. The resulting figure is then multiplied by the estimated number of years the deceased would have provided these services for.
Time Limits for Making Fatal Injury Claims
When dealing with fatal injury claims, the deceased’s legal representatives or one of their Statutory Dependents typically have two years from the date of death to begin proceedings. In some cases, the time limit starts from the individual’s date of knowledge for whom the claim benefits.
It should be noted that the majority of claims have a two-year limitation period from the date of death. However, when dealing with claims related to medical negligence, there is no requirement for an application or authorisation from the Injuries Board, as indicated by Section 3(d) of the PIAB Act 2003.
Key points to remember:
- Two-year time limit for initiating fatal injury claims.
- Time limit may begin from the date of knowledge in certain cases.
- No Injuries Board application needed for medical negligence claims.
Public Inquests
Coroners are responsible for examining unexplained deaths, particularly those potentially due to medical negligence. Such cases can involve fatalities resulting from surgeries, medical procedures, or childbirth incidents. When doubt arises about whether these events contributed to the person’s death, a coroner may decide to hold a public inquest.
Public inquests aim to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it. These official inquiries can prove emotionally challenging for families, given their sensitive nature.
Families affected by fatal injuries resulting in death might be eligible to file a fatal injury claim. Experienced legal professionals can offer confidential advice and support throughout the inquest process, using a confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear approach.
Some major points to consider:
- Coroners investigate unexplained deaths potentially due to medical negligence.
- Public inquests aim to establish the cause and circumstances of unexplained deaths.
- Affected families may file a fatal injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actions are considered medical negligence resulting in a patient’s death?
Medical negligence leading to a patient’s fatality may include multiple scenarios, such as misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, errors during surgery, hospital-acquired infections, or failure to recognise and treat life-threatening conditions promptly. Adverse reactions to medications and maternal deaths during childbirth could also fall under this category of negligence.
How can one demonstrate evidence in fatal medical negligence cases?
Establishing proof in cases of fatal medical negligence typically involves a thorough investigation and gathering of medical records, expert witness opinions, and other critical documentation. Demonstrating that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standards of care and that these failures directly led to the patient’s death is essential.
What is the usual compensation amount for fatal medical negligence claims in Ireland?
The compensation range for fatal medical negligence claims in Ireland can vary significantly, depending on factors such as the circumstances of the case, the extent of financial loss, and the degree of negligence involved. Each case is unique, which makes it challenging to provide a typical compensation range without specific details.
What is the deadline for submitting a claim related to death caused by medical negligence?
In Ireland, the time limit for filing a claim related to death due to medical negligence is generally two years from the date of death. However, time limits can differ based on particular circumstances. It is always advisable to seek legal counsel to understand the specific time limits applicable to a given case.
Who is qualified to submit a claim for fatal medical negligence?
Usually, the next of kin or a statutory dependent of the deceased person can make a claim for fatal medical negligence. This may include spouses, civil partners, children, or parents of the deceased person.
What immediate legal steps should be taken following a death due to suspected medical negligence?
In cases of suspected medical negligence leading to death, it is crucial to:
- Obtain relevant medical records and documentation
- Seek legal advice from an experienced solicitor specializing in medical negligence claims
- Notify relevant healthcare providers and potentially responsible parties
- Begin gathering evidence to support the claim, such as expert witness testimonies
Obtaining legal guidance early on is necessary to ensure all legal steps are taken correctly and promptly to help secure the best possible outcome.
