Based on reporting by Edinburgh Live, 26 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.
What was reported
According to Edinburgh Live, a Fatal Accident Inquiry is set to get underway following the death of a contractor at a film studio in Leith, Edinburgh. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for late October 2026, with the full inquiry expected to begin in November. The incident is reported to have taken place in June 2022.
Edinburgh Live reports that the accident involved a hydraulic lift at a film production facility in Leith, and that emergency services attended but the contractor, a man in his early 30s, died at the scene. The studio involved issued a statement at the time describing the incident as a tragic loss and confirming that an investigation was under way.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry is a formal, court-based process in Scotland, distinct from a criminal investigation. It is held before a Sheriff and is intended to establish the circumstances of the death, including where and how it occurred, and whether any precautions could reasonably have prevented it.
Workplace death claims in Scotland
When a worker dies in an accident at a workplace, Scots law provides a route for close family members to seek compensation through a civil claim. This is entirely separate from any Fatal Accident Inquiry or criminal proceedings, and a civil claim can proceed regardless of the outcome of those processes.
Under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, certain relatives of a person who has died as a result of personal injury are entitled to bring a claim. These are referred to as "relatives" in the Act and include a spouse or civil partner, a cohabitant, children, and parents, among others.
In incidents of this kind, liability for a workplace accident often rests with whichever party had legal responsibility for the safety of the working environment at the time. That may be an employer, a client organisation, a principal contractor, or another duty holder, depending on the specific arrangements in place. Determining who owed what duty of care to the worker is a central question in any such claim, and it is assessed on the individual facts of each case. No conclusion about liability in this particular case should be drawn from general principles alone.
Scottish workplace safety law requires that employers and those in control of premises take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of workers, including contractors. Where a breach of that duty can be established and shown to have caused or contributed to a death, a compensation claim may be possible.
Time limits
Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, close relatives generally have three years from the date of death to raise a civil compensation claim in the Scottish courts. This is a strict rule and the courts have limited discretion to allow cases outside that period, so it is important that families are aware of it.
However, it is worth noting that the existence of a Fatal Accident Inquiry, or the wait for its conclusion, does not automatically pause or extend this three-year period. Families should seek independent legal advice about their own position without assuming that ongoing inquiries protect their right to claim. There is no obligation to act immediately, but the three-year limit should not be overlooked.
What compensation can cover
A successful claim under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011 can include several distinct heads of loss. These may include the following.
- Loss of society, which reflects the grief, distress and loss of the deceased's companionship suffered by close relatives.
- Loss of financial support, where the deceased contributed to a household financially and dependants have suffered a material loss as a result of the death.
- Funeral costs that were reasonably incurred.
- In some cases, a claim for any loss of personal services the deceased provided, such as childcare or care for an elderly relative.
Compensation is assessed by reference to the individual circumstances of each family. There is no standard figure, and awards for loss of society in particular reflect the nature and closeness of the relationship between the deceased and the claimant. Legal fees in personal injury and fatal accident claims are not deducted from any compensation received by the family.
Frequently asked questions
Can a family claim compensation before the Fatal Accident Inquiry concludes?
Yes. A civil compensation claim is a separate legal process from a Fatal Accident Inquiry. Families do not have to wait for the inquiry to finish before taking legal advice or beginning a claim. The two processes can run alongside each other, and findings from an inquiry may in some cases assist a civil claim.
Who can make a claim following a fatal workplace accident in Scotland?
Under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, a defined group of relatives may be entitled to claim. This includes a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, children, parents and siblings, among others. Each relative's entitlement depends on their relationship to the deceased and their individual circumstances, so legal advice specific to each person's situation is recommended.
Does a Fatal Accident Inquiry find anyone legally responsible?
No. A Fatal Accident Inquiry is not a fault-finding exercise in the civil or criminal sense. The Sheriff sets out the circumstances of the death and may make recommendations, but does not apportion legal liability. Any question of civil liability is determined separately, through the civil courts.
What if the contractor was self-employed rather than an employee?
The employment status of a worker does not automatically determine whether a compensation claim is available. Those who control a workplace or engage contractors may still owe duties of care under health and safety legislation. Whether a duty was owed, and by whom, is assessed on the facts of the individual case.
How long does a fatal accident compensation claim typically take in Scotland?
The length of a claim varies considerably depending on the complexity of the circumstances, whether liability is disputed, and the extent of loss being claimed. Some claims are resolved within a year or two; others involving disputed liability or complex financial loss may take longer. Families should not feel pressured to accept any early offer without independent advice.
Based on reporting by Edinburgh Live, 26 October 2026. All rights in the original report remain with the publisher.