Alexander Harris Solicitors

Inquests

When a loved one dies in unclear circumstances it can be a traumatic time for the whole family. At such a time it is difficult to know what to do and who to turn to for advice.

Often the vagaries of the Coroners Courts can exacerbate the situation further and those involved have questions they want answered but are too afraid to ask.

Members of the team at Alexander Harris solicitors are experienced at representing families at inquest and in getting answers to the difficult questions the family need for peace of mind.

Inquests and Coroners

An Inquest is a public hearing held by a Coroner following a death. An Inquest is usually held where the cause of death is not clear, where the death is a result of an accident at work or industrial diseaseor where there are questions over medical treatment received by the deceased.

Reporting a death

A death is usually reported by the police or by a doctor. Whenever a death is reported to the Coroner the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, must wait for the Coroner to finish any enquiries before the death can be registered. These enquiries may take time, so it is always best to contact the Coroner's office before any funeral arrangements are made.

Post Mortem

Prior to the Inquest a post mortem will usually be held to assist the Coroner in determining the cause of death. A Pathologist will carry out the post mortem. Tests for toxins and other relevant tests will often be carried out.

Inquest procedures

It usually takes 3-4 months before the Coroner is able to hold the inquest. The purpose of the Inquest is to answer 4 questions:

Who has died?
When they died?
Where they died?
How they died?

At the Inquest the Coroner will hear evidence from the family of the deceased and, in a medical case, from the Doctors involved in the deceased's treatment. The Healthcare Trust responsible for the hospital where the death occurred will usually be represented by a lawyer if there is a possibility of criticism of the hospital. The family of the deceased, or their legal representative is given the opportunity to ask questions of the witnesses and make submissions to the Coroner. At the end of the Inquest the Coroner will give answers to the questions above and a specific 'verdict'.

Jury

Most inquests are held without a jury. There are particular reasons when a jury will be called and in every inquest held with a jury, it is the jury, and not the Coroner, which makes the final decision and returns the verdict.

Legal Advice

We are regularly instructed by families where a loved one has died either as a result of an accident,injury at work, industrial related disease or through medical treatment. We are able assist in the preparation for an Inquest and at the Inquest itself. Many families find the possibility of an Inquest daunting, particularly when the other parties in the Inquest are likely to have legal assistance. We are able to obtain and examine the medical records and identify and ask relevant questions of the witnesses and in medically related cases those responsible for care such as the Doctors involved to try to ensure that the families' questions are answered.

In some cases it is now possible for families to obtain Public Funding for us to represent them in relation to the Inquest.

If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to Inquests, please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in Inquests.

If you have any comments in relation to Inquests, please use the online discussion forum.