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Loss Due to the Death of a Loved One

Helping you move forward after the loss of someone close

Losing a loved one because of an accident or illness caused by someone else is devastating. While no amount of compensation can replace your loss, a claim can help provide financial stability and recognise the impact of your loved one’s death.
At Calio, we are here to help you with care, understanding and practical support.

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Loss of Society and Fatal Accident Compensation Claims in Scotland

If you have lost a child, spouse or another close relative as a result of an accident or illness caused by a third party, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

A claim of this kind is known as a loss of society claim. It recognises the loss of companionship, guidance and support that your loved one provided. Our team at Calio understands that this is a deeply emotional time. We will guide you through the process with compassion, ensuring that you receive clear advice and support at every stage.

While compensation can never replace the person you have lost, it can help ease future financial pressures and provide a sense of accountability for what happened.

To discuss your circumstances with one of our team, call 0800 988 8082 or complete our online enquiry form, and we will get back to you promptly.

Why choose Calio for your loss of society claim?

When you choose Calio, you choose a team that brings trusted legal experience together with genuine empathy. We recognise the lasting impact of losing someone close and will take the time to listen, understand and guide you with sensitivity and care.

We will explain your rights clearly, manage all aspects of your claim and make the process as straightforward as possible. Our goal is to make things manageable, giving you reassurance and confidence as you move forward.

Who can make a claim for loss of society?

In Scotland, only certain relatives are entitled to claim for loss of society, as defined under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011. Eligible family members include:

  • Spouses and civil partners
  • Cohabitants
  • Parents, step-parents, children and step-children
  • Grandparents, step-grandparents, grandchildren and step-grandchildren
  • Siblings, half-siblings or those accepted as part of the same family unit

If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact Calio and we will advise you on your eligibility and next steps.

What can you claim compensation for?

Compensation for loss of society depends on your relationship with the person who has passed away. The closer the relationship, the higher the potential award.

You may also be able to claim for:

  • Emotional distress and the loss of companionship
  • Financial losses caused by the death
  • Funeral and related expenses

Our team will take the time to understand your situation fully before providing an estimate of your claim’s likely value. We will handle all communications on your behalf, ensuring that you can focus on your family during this difficult time.

Contact us today

    Key contacts

    David Armstrong
    Partner
    Lauren Pasi
    Partner and Head of Personal Injury
    Kathleen Willis
    Senior Associate
    Alasdair Wannan
    Senior Paralegal
    Sarah-Jane Tuncer
    Senior Paralegal

    FAQs: Loss due to Death of a Loved One

    Immediate family members such as spouses, parents, children and cohabitants can claim under Scottish law.
    It refers to the emotional loss of companionship, support and guidance following the death of a loved one.
    You can claim for emotional loss, financial dependency, funeral costs and related expenses.
    Most claims must start within three years of the death or date of knowledge.
    Most cases are settled through negotiation, but if necessary, we will guide and represent you in court.

    Taking the first step

    Contact our loss of society compensation lawyers in Scotland

    We know how deeply the loss of someone close can affect your life, and we’ll provide compassionate guidance every step of the way.

    We will take time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly and handle your claim with care and sensitivity. Transparency is central to how we work, and we will always provide honest, straightforward advice.

    If you have lost someone due to an accident or illness caused by another person’s actions, contact our team today. You can contact us for advice, and a member of our team will respond promptly.

    We are here to make the process manageable, offering reassurance and professional care throughout this difficult time.

    Call 0800 988 8082 or complete our online enquiry form to arrange for someone to contact you as soon as possible.

    View our guide
    for personal injury claims in Scotland.

    Case studies

    Our Clients’ Stories:

    Loss Due to the Death of a Loved One

    View all case studies

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    Hear from the people we’ve helped

    View all our testimonials

    "The team are kind, compassionate and understanding. They listened and showed empathy to my situation gave good advice and a sound understanding of what they should do and what they can do"
    Client Testimonial
    "I cannot thank you and your firm enough for the work you have carried out. Your service has been outstanding, and you are a credit to your company. I will heartily recommend Lindsays to all my friends and colleagues."
    Client Testimonial
    “I was guided through the process every step of the way which was good as I had no clue where to start following a car accident that was not my fault. Jamie McGill provided me with great service. Everything was made clear to me in both emails and letters, thank you for winning my case and would highly recommend this company.”
    Client Testimonial
    “I’m definitely very proud of myself for pursuing this to the end and so incredibly grateful for all your advice and hard work making this happen. I couldn't be more impressed with you all as a team.”
    Client Testimonial
    “I have received an excellent service by the team at Lindsays for my personal injury claim following a car accident. They have handled my case in a very professional manner and kept me updated during the whole process. Jamie McGill has been brilliant and always been open to advice and to discuss my options. I would highly recommend the team at Lindsays, everyone I dealt with has been very kind and professional.”
    Client Testimonial
    "The personal injury team at Lindsay is one of, if not the best in Scotland. The team is highly competent and has an excellent grasp of the legal issues and evidential challenges with personal injury litigation. The team demonstrates a level of client care and interests in the clients wellbeing far greater than the majority of their competitors."
    The Legal 500 UK
    "The team at Lindsays are professional to work with and are highly passionate about their work. They will work collaboratively with the counsel whom they instruct and will strive to achieve the strongest results for their clients."
    The Legal 500 UK
    "Communication and support were exceptional throughout the 10 years I have been dealing with this firm. For every eventuality, they seemed to have a solution and provided peace of mind throughout the whole process."
    The Legal 500 UK
    "Client care seems to be at the top of their agenda, as is pressing for the maximum amount possible in compensation. The legal knowledge and competence of the firm should place them at the forefront of the market."
    The Legal 500 UK
    “Nadia Camilli provided a professional approach and practical advice to me throughout the period of my claim. I always felt that she set out to achieve the best outcome for me. Nadia conducted herself in a very friendly and approachable manner. Always helpful. Always clear and precise."
    Client Testimonial
    “Lindsays is my law firm of choice in Scotland. Their team are working according to highest professional standards. They are always approachable and constantly aim for the most effective and efficient solution in the interest of their client.”
    Professor Sebastian Hoffmann
    “I received superb service from Lindsays throughout my claim. My case had been lying dormant for two years and I didn’t think it was worth the hassle. I spoke with Lindsays, who passed my case to Kathleen to deal with. Kathleen was great, and things moved on from there. Due to COVID some things were delayed, however Kathleen kept me updated regularly. I was very happy with the service and the settlement I received.”
    John
    “Now that the claim has been settled I just want to say thank you for all your help over the last 2.5 years (!). You made the whole process very smooth and I really appreciated all your kind words.”
    Client Testimonial
    "I would like to thank both Lauren and Sarah-Jane for all their hard work and assistance. They always kept me informed and showed a very professional, yet extremely caring manner, which made the entire process so much less stressful for me. I really appreciate this and I'm extremely grateful for the way in which they both work." 
    Client Testimonial
    "I just wanted to say thank you for handling my claim, I have never been in this situation before and you have been great with communication and patience."
    Kym 
    "I was happy with the way Mark handled my personal injury claim and was kept up to date throughout the claim. I was delighted with the settlement I received."
    Andrew
    "We are delighted to have received satisfactorily settlements from our road traffic accident. We wrongly imagined the process to be time-consuming and stressful and that’s the reason we had hesitated in making a claim for so long after the accident. But the whole process was simple and straightforward and we're very happy with the way Gillian handled our claims. We would highly recommend Lindsays."
    The Gardiner Family
    "I would just like to say the service was very good, and I was very happy with the compensation that I received."
    Sebastian
    "I would like to thank Lindsays for negotiating settlement of my claim on my behalf and appreciate the skill and determination shown by her and her colleagues throughout this process. I am delighted by the outcome and the way the case was handled and resolved. Thank you for keeping me informed each step of the way and ensuring a just settlement."
    James
    "I really appreciate the way you proceeded and cooperated with me throughout the process. The way you updated me via post letters, email and phone calls was great."
    James
    "I would like to say I am very happy and grateful in which the way Lindsays handled my injury claim. Throughout the whole process they kept me up to date at each stage and was always responded to any of my enquiries fully and promptly. I truly believe I would nave never got anywhere trying to get my injury claim settled myself. Lindsays really took all the stress out of my claim."
    David
    "Jonathan, thanks for your help in completing this matter. The amount awarded far exceeded my expectations and also of your predecessors."
    Sam
    "I would just like to start off and say that Samantha has been a great help to me through my accident claim over the past 17 months. She has handled everything for me and I didn’t have to worry about a thing. The service the company has provided me has been nothing but excellent."
    Client Testimonial
    "I thought my case was handled excellently by Lindsays. They were very professional in their direction and also very approachable, which lessened the stress during the resolution of my personal injury claim, culminating in a settlement that exceeded my early expectations."
    Katrina
    "I had a fall in Edinburgh and spent a week in hospital with a broken hip. I got in touch with Lindsays to put a claim in against the Council, as I live in England I was glad I got a sollicitor in Scotland. Sarah-Jane Skellett got everything done in no time and got me a great settlement, which i didnt expect. i couldnt fault Lindsays at all and I would recommend them to anyone."
    Angela
    "I would just like to thank you for all your support and the help you have game me over this time. I felt great confidence in your work by being fully informed throughout this process and you made a stressful time a lot easier."
    Client Testimonial
    "I was impressed with the way that Lindsays went about dealing with my claim. On my behalf, my mother had instructed another solicitor before Lindsays and the previous solicitor had not really got anywhere with the claim. I was happy with the thoroughness of the enquiries and that Lindsays were able to identify the correct people to sue from a difficult and jumbled set of circumstances. I was happy with the compensation that I was awarded."
    Client Testimonial
    "I was impressed with the way that Lindsays went about looking into my claim. They quickly arranged with the insurers of the main contractor for liability for my claim to be accepted. Then when the insurers proved difficult about making a reasonable compensation offer, they immediately raised Court proceedings, and quickly arranged for a reasonable settlement to my claim, which I was happy with."
    Client Testimonial
    "I am grateful for the all the work Lindsays put in to get my claim sorted so quickly. It has been a long and painful year for me. You have been a great help and the money you got for me is fantastic."
    Client Testimonial
    "I was grateful to Lindsays for persevering with my claim after liability was denied and Legal Aid was refused. I was impressed with the way they identified and then instructed a psychologist to help with my case and for their efforts at negotiating a settlement. I was happy with the compensation I received and I would recommend Lindsays to anyone who has suffered an injury because of a defective or unsafe product."
    Client Testimonial
    "I was very happy with the help and advice on offer from Lindsays, in particular the tireless extra work involved in my case. No stone was left un-turned in the pursuit of a successful outcome. I would recommend Lindsays to anyone who is in the unfortunate situation of having suffered medical negligence."
    Client Testimonial
    "I would highly recommend Lindsays to anyone. I was treated with the utmost respect and everyone was so helpful regarding the case and it was quickly resolved, definitely the best around, thank you very much."
    Client Testimonial
    "I was very impressed by the service offered by Lindsays. They regularly updated me and I never had to contact them. I was delighted with the compensation that I was awarded. I received a five figure sum which was more than five times the original offer made by the Council. I would recommend Lindsays to anyone who has been injured and wants great service in the knowledge that they will fight to secure the most compensation."
    Client Testimonial
    "I was very happy with the way Lindsays dealt with my claim, especially given my experience with my Union solicitors. I was thrilled that Lindsays agreed to take on my case at very short notice. If they had not done so I would have lost the right to claim. I was happy with how they went about proving liability against my employer and in getting my claim fully and properly valued. I was happy to settle my claim at £15,000."
    Client Testimonial
    "It has been a long road in finally settling my case. Frm the outset I was always kept informed as to the various stages we were going through. I cant thank Jonathan Cornwell and his team enough for all their unwavering tenacity throughout, without whom I dont think i would have the final result and settlement that has been awarded."
    Client Testimonial
    "I was very happy with the compensation that Meagan was awarded and with the service we received throughout Meagan's claim. I would highly recommend Alasdair Wannan and Lindsays to anyone who has been involved in an accident abroad."
    Client Testimonial
    "It was a long process to settle the CICA claim for Parwaze. I was impressed with the thoroughness and perserverance Alasdair Wannan showed in assembling all the medical and other experts to value all aspects of the claim. I was happy to follow his advice to accept the maximum award under the Scheme to avoid the lengthy and expensive CICA appeal process."
    Client Testimonial
    "I just wanted to thank you for your assistance and efforts in dealing with my personal injury claim. I am very happy with the outcome."
    Client Testimonial
    The Legal 500 - Leading Firm 2026
    Mass Motor Accident Solicitors Society