What are preventable suicide claims?

Unfortunately, there are many tragic instances where families suffer from the loss of a loved one due to suicide where no one is to blame. However, if the loss of your loved one could have been prevented had medical staff recognised that your loved one was at risk of suicide and had treated them accordingly, you may be entitled to compensation.

Why would I make a compensation claim following the loss of a loved one?

We understand that when you’ve lost a loved one, the last thing on your mind will be making a claim for compensation. However, many people who make compensation claims find it can help as:

• It can help them find out exactly what happened – what mistakes were made and why
• We can seek an apology from those responsible
• It can help to fund much needed therapy for the family, such as counselling, following this traumatic event
• If you were financially dependent upon your loved one, it can help with the cost of daily living

We understand just how traumatic it can be to suffer a loss and will provide the empathy, support and guidance needed at this difficult time.

If there’s an inquest in relation to preventable suicide, our medical negligence lawyers have a vast amount of experience with representing families at inquests.

What sort of mistakes can lead to a preventable suicide claim?

There are a number of mistakes medical staff can make that can result in a preventable suicide claim, such as:

• Failure to diagnose mental illness
• Failure to refer patient, to arrange supervision or to implement an adequate care plan
• Incorrectly discharging a patient from hospital
• Failure to prevent access to dangerous objects or medication

Who can make a claim if there has been a preventable suicide?

A claim relating to a loved one who has died as a result of medical negligence can be pursued by a 'dependent' of the person who died. This can include the following:

• The husband or wife of the deceased
• In limited circumstances, a former spouse of the deceased
• A civil partner of the deceased (who had been living with the deceased for at least two years immediately prior to death)
• A child of the deceased
• A parent of the deceased
• A brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or cousin of the deceased
• Any other person who was considered by the deceased as a child of the family

In addition, the executors can bring a claim on behalf of the deceased's Estate for injury or losses incurred by the deceased prior to death, and for any expenses falling upon the Estate which arise from the death.

How do I prove dependency?

When bringing a claim you must be able to show that you were dependent upon your loved one prior to their death, either financially dependent or dependent upon them for care and assistance. If you were only partially dependent, you may still be able to make a claim. It’s not necessary to show that you were wholly dependent upon them.

What can I claim for?

Dependents of the deceased can make a claim under the Fatal Accidents Act for:

• Loss of the financial dependency
• Loss of 'services' dependency
• The 'statutory bereavement award' which is a sum fixed by the Government. This can only be claimed by specific people, namely the husband, wife or civil partner of the deceased, or children of the deceased who were under the age of 18 at the date of death

You can also claim for the pain and suffering the loss has caused as well as any financial losses, such as loss of earnings, if you’ve been unable to work as a result of the bereavement.

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

Not only do we have many years' experience securing the deserved compensation for preventable suicide claims, we also have the utmost sensitivity to handle your case with great care.

We offer home visits and provide immediate representation and support. Contact us for a free consultation to help you understand whether or not you have a claim.

Can I change my solicitors to Slater and Gordon?

If you've lost a loved one which could have been prevented, and you feel that you're not getting the specialist legal advice you need from your current solicitor, we'll be happy to discuss switching your case to Slater and Gordon. Simply call our experts on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.