Bereavement Damages Calculator UK

The statutory bereavement damages award is a fixed sum of £15,120 (2025/26) payable to eligible claimants under Section 1A of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. It is intended to compensate for grief and loss of companionship, not financial loss.

Only the spouse or civil partner of the deceased, the parent of a minor child (if the child died), or a cohabitant who lived with the deceased for at least 2 years before death. Other family members cannot claim the statutory award but may claim for loss of dependency.

Loss of dependency compensates those who were financially dependent on the deceased for the income and services they would have provided. It is calculated by multiplying the annual dependency by an Ogden multiplier that reflects the expected period of dependency.

The Ogden tables (now in their 8th edition) are actuarial tables used to calculate lump-sum damages for future losses. They provide multipliers based on the claimant's age, the deceased's age, and projected discount rates.

No. Both the statutory bereavement award and loss of dependency damages are exempt from income tax and capital gains tax.

Yes. If the death was caused by employer negligence, a workplace accident, or breach of health and safety regulations, a fatal accident claim can be brought against the employer. This is separate from any inquest or criminal prosecution.