If your loved one has tragically passed away due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the financial and emotional hardships you've faced. There are no upfront fees.
A medical negligence fatality claim allows you to seek compensation for the death of a loved one caused by medical errors or poor care. This compensation can cover funeral costs, loss of financial support, emotional distress, and long-term financial needs.
Medical negligence fatalities can occur in a number of ways, including:
Even when the circumstances around the death seem straightforward, we can explain what the family can claim for.
If your loved one has passed away due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to claim for:
You pay nothing to start your claim and nothing while it runs.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims, from first advice through to court if it comes to that.
If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs and you keep 100% of your compensation.
Our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed.
We'll look at what happened and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. There's no pressure to go ahead.
We'll tell you plainly how your claim looks, and keep you updated as it moves.
We help clients across Northern Ireland, in person or by phone, email or video.
A medical negligence fatality claim is a legal process that allows the family or dependants of a deceased person to seek compensation if the death was caused by a medical professional's negligence, such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or inadequate care.
The amount depends on the financial support the family has lost, funeral costs, bereavement damages where they apply, and what the person went through before they died. We can explain what your family's claim may be worth.
Common types include surgical errors, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, medication mistakes, failure to provide appropriate aftercare, and errors in the healthcare facility's standard procedures.
In Northern Ireland, you usually have three years from the date of death, or from when you first knew the death was linked to someone's fault, if that is later. However, it is advised to contact us as soon as possible to ensure timely evidence gathering and protection of your rights.
Yes. Medical and hospital records are the main evidence in these claims. We can help you gather the necessary documents to strengthen your case.
Grief itself is recognised through the fixed bereavement damages, available to a spouse or civil partner, or the parents of an unmarried child under 18. A relative who develops a recognised psychiatric illness may have a separate claim in limited circumstances, for example after witnessing the accident.
Yes, if the death resulted from negligent care in a hospital or other healthcare setting, you may be able to claim compensation from the institution or the responsible medical professional.
Yes, as long as the fatality occurred within the last three years, you may still be eligible to make a claim.
Medical negligence claims usually take longer than accident claims, often more than a year, because independent medical experts need to report on what went wrong and on the injury.
Yes, if you were financially dependent on the deceased, you can claim compensation for lost income, pensions, and other financial support that the deceased would have provided.
Yes, funeral and burial costs are a part of a medical negligence fatality claim and can be included in the compensation.
You will need medical records, hospital or clinic records, autopsy reports, police reports, witness statements, funeral expenses, and any other relevant documentation.
Yes, our team will investigate the claim thoroughly, gather all necessary evidence, and challenge any defense made by the medical professionals or their institution.
Yes, if the fatality was caused by a medication error, including incorrect dosage or failure to prescribe the correct treatment, you may be entitled to compensation.
Surgical errors or mistakes during medical procedures can result in fatalities. You can make a claim for compensation if the death was caused by surgery errors such as incorrect procedures, wrong-site surgeries, or anesthesia complications.
Most claims settle without going to court. If yours does go to court, we represent you.
Only in limited circumstances. A relative who suffers a recognised psychiatric illness, for example after witnessing the accident or its immediate aftermath, may have a claim of their own. Grief alone is covered by bereavement damages.
Medical negligence claims usually take longer than accident claims, often more than a year, because independent medical experts need to report on what went wrong and on the injury.
There are no upfront fees. If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs. If it doesn't, our legal insurance covers the costs.
If the fatality occurred within the last three years, you may still be eligible to file a claim. Contact us for further advice.
If the responsible medical professional or institution is uninsured, we can help you pursue compensation through other legal avenues, such as the Medical Indemnity Insurance (MII) or the government fund.
Kearney Law Group Ltd is a solicitors' practice regulated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Registered in Northern Ireland, company number NI663222. Registered office: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR.
Kearney Law Group only handles personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Newry, Craigavon and Bangor. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to arrange your free first conversation.
Belfast: Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JH
02890 912 938
Derry: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR
02871 362 299
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
