Have you seen this YT video?Physical Animations | Live Training | Unreal Engine - YouTube
Ragdoll (set physics simulate bodies) is what you want, but also some animation influence, watch the video.
Also look at the developer’s GDC talk about the character approach, Gang Beasts at 2014's GDC European Innovative Games Showcase - YouTube
Core design philosophy there. It’s physics, so think physics in unreal when affecting the character’s body (i.e. force and impulse calls)