SingaporeMy relative died from medical negligence. Can the family sue?
Yes, the family can sue for medical negligence causing death under Singapore law, but only through a claim brought by the deceased’s estate under the Civil Law Act.
What the Law Says
The Civil Law Act governs claims arising from death caused by negligence in Singapore. It does not allow family members to bring a lawsuit in their own names — instead, it permits a claim to be made by or on behalf of the deceased’s estate.
Under Singapore law, there is no independent 'wrongful death' cause of action that family members can file themselves. The right to sue for damages arising from a person’s death due to negligence belongs solely to the deceased’s estate.
This means the executor or administrator of the estate must bring the claim. Any compensation awarded goes into the estate and is distributed according to the deceased’s will or the Intestate Succession Act if there is no will.
The claim covers losses such as pain and suffering before death, loss of earnings, medical expenses incurred before death, and funeral expenses — but not grief or bereavement damages for surviving relatives.
Statutory TextWhere the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, neglect or default of another person, the estate of the deceased may maintain an action against that other person for damages.
— Civil Law Act, s. 20 — Actions for death
What to Do
Confirm whether a valid grant of probate or letters of administration has been obtained for the deceased’s estate.
Engage a lawyer experienced in medical negligence claims to assess whether negligence occurred and whether causation and damages can be proven.
File the claim in the High Court (if damages likely exceed S$250,000) or State Courts (if lower) — within 3 years from when the cause of action accrued (usually from date of death or discovery of negligence).
Gather medical records, expert opinions, and evidence of financial dependency or losses linked to the death.
Sources
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South KoreaNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.