If a loved one has died while serving in the armed forces and you suspect that their death could’ve been prevented, our solicitors may be able to help you make a claim for compensation.

You deserve to know the full circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one. If you believe they died unnecessarily, then we can help you find out what happened and why. Contact us today for a free initial consultation about your case.

In addition to claims for fatal injuries, we've been representing the families of armed forces personnel at military inquests for over 25 years, handling cases with sensitivity and care. We support families through an inquest's challenges, such as:

  • Dealing with Public Interest Immunity Certificates.
  • Representing your interests against lawyers from the Ministry of Defence and the British government.
  • Witnesses who are unavailable through deployment.
  • Trying to trace key documents to support your case.

Dealing with an inquest or compensation claim following the death of a loved one is always going to be a difficult experience and it helps to have the experts on your side. We handle every aspect of your case during this emotional time, putting your needs first every step of the way.

If your loved one has died while serving in any capacity in the Army, Navy, RAF or Special Forces you may be able to claim compensation. You could also claim if they died while serving in the Army Reserve (formerly the Territorial Army), Navy, RAF, or Special Forces Reserves.

To get the full benefit of our legal expertise, we recommend contacting our team as soon as possible - before an inquest takes place. This'll give us the time to access information and documents from the armed forces. Having this information will make sure the inquest answers the important questions about how and why your loved one lost their life.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell’s solicitors for fatal military claims?

Our military injury team of solicitors is made up of specialist legal experts, several of whom are former military personnel. This gives us a unique, first-hand experience of military procedure and a vital knowledge of how the MoD works.

We’ve the knowledge, experience, and empathy to handle your fatal military claim with the professionalism and sensitivity we know you’ll need.

We work in a flexible way, with offices located around the UK, meaning you can visit us at a convenient location. If you’d rather speak via phone or video call, we can also arrange this.

We’re fully aware that no amount of compensation could make up for the loss of your loved one. We also know that making a claim can be a scary and stressful process, especially during such an emotional time. That’s why we’ll make sure you’re fully supported throughout and after the claims process.

We’ve strong connections with support groups and charities across the UK, such as Widowed and Young. We’ll help you to find help that’s local to you.

After your claim is settled, our Asset Management team of financial advisors will be on hand to help you make the most of your compensation. They’ll give you bespoke advice based on your situation to make sure your money lasts you for the rest of your life, including investment guidance if you wish to explore this option.

Our Welfare Benefits experts can help you to find out if you’re entitled to claim any means-tested benefits and help you to secure them.

Proven track record in high-profile inquests
Expert lawyers with a service background
Bringing claims against the MoD since 1987
Strong links with military charities, including Inquest and the Independent Inquest Advice Unit of the Royal British Legion

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0800 022 3321

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Andrew Buckham

More information on military inquests and fatal claims

Client Story – Mark Wright

Stu Pearson


"I was referred to the medical emergency response team and I was placed right beside Mark Wright... It still didn't register that he was so badly injured - I couldn't work out what was going on - and then I looked again and his body was gone. Unbeknownst to me, he'd actually died and been placed in a body bag. " - Stu Pearson


“Mark showed incredible bravery to carry on helping and encouraging his team after suffering such serious injuries, which was recognised by his award of a posthumous George Cross." - Military injury specialist Irwin Mitchell

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can make a claim for compensation after a fatal military accident?

If your loved one has lost their life because of an accident while serving in the armed forces, then you may be able to claim compensation.

In fatal cases, you’ve three years to make a claim, starting from the date your loved one died.

It doesn't matter what branch of the service your loved one was in. We've made successful claims for service personnel in the Army, RAF and Royal Navy, including specialist units.

We've also made successful claims following a range of fatal incidents, including accidents during training exercises, while travelling, or in combat.

Claims for fatal injuries that occurred while in combat can be more complicated due to what's known as the combat immunity defence. This means that the Ministry of Defence isn’t under a duty to maintain a safe system of work for service personnel engaged with an enemy during combat.

However, if we can prove that your loved one's death has been caused by negligence on the part of the MoD, whether through friendly fire, inadequate/poorly maintained equipment, or preventable transport accidents, we may still be able to make a case. Find out more about how combat immunity can affect a claim.

If you're not sure whether you'll be able to make a claim, it's important to seek legal advice from expert lawyers. Call us today for a free initial consultation on your claim, and we'll be able to offer our expert opinion on your options.

What happens at a military inquest?

When a member of the armed forces dies, an inquest may be undertaken to determine the exact circumstances. It's independent from the Ministry of Defence, with a coroner appointed by the Ministry of Justice.

Inquests are carried out when the cause of death is unknown after a post-mortem. They can also be carried out if there is reasonable possibility to believe that your loved one's death was caused by a failure to meet standards that ensure the safety of service personnel.

The coroner will question witnesses to find out exactly what has happened. They’ll prepare a legal statement that sets out the exact circumstance of where, when, how, and why a person has died.

An inquest’s job isn’t to find fault, but in many cases its conclusions will greatly help us in seeking compensation for your loss.

If you’ve any concerns about a military inquest, contact us for a free consultation with one of our lawyers, who will be able to answer any questions you might have.

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