Overview

The Fatal Accidents Act 1976 offers limited guidance on assessing damages, leaving the courts to shape the law through case decisions. This webinar explores how judges actually approach dependency claims in fatal accident litigation, and what evidence they expect to see for a successful claim.

Through practical examples and judicial reasoning, participants will gain insight into financial dependency, loss of a carer or partner, and the treatment of child dependency claims. The session also explains the correct application of Section 4 of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 and what the courts will disregard.

This webinar is essential for lawyers who want to argue dependency claims with confidence and authority.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand financial dependency and how it is assessed by the courts.
• Assess loss of a carer or partner, including evidential requirements and judicial expectations.
• Determine whether dependency damages are awarded following the death of a child, and the factors considered by judges.
• Identify the type of evidence required to succeed in dependency claims.
• Apply Section 4 of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 correctly, understanding what the court ignores when assessing damages.

Ideal for lawyers seeking to present dependency claims persuasively and with judicially informed authority.