A coroner’s inquest in fatal medical negligence claims happens when someone dies suddenly or in unexplained circumstances.
A coroner’s inquests cannot decide if medical negligence was a part of a person’s death. It can only determine who, why, where and when a death occurred.
In any negligence claim, a person claims compensation for personal injury and the damages coming from the clinical negligence.
If the medical malpractice involves the death of a loved one, the family will make a claim for clinical negligence compensation, including loss of income for a primary wage earner.
The Medical Negligence Team know how to take your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
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What is a coroner’s inquest?
A coroner’s inquest is an inquiry into the sudden or unexplained death of a person. The Coroner’s inquest is only to determine the facts around the death and cannot lay blame.
While a coroner’s inquest will not mention any negligence, it is often the starting point for those making a fatal medical negligence claim.
How does the Coroner’s inquest work?
The Coroner’s inquest works by the Coroner first gathering all the witness statements in relation to the person’s death.
The Coroner may speak with family members, medical professionals and other witnesses to the death.
By speaking with possible witnesses and reading witness statements, the Coroner will have a better idea of the circumstances behind the person’s death and who to call as sworn witnesses at the inquest.
Why is a coroner’s inquest used in medical negligence claims?
A coroner’s inquest is used in medical negligence claims to establish the facts around the death.
The inquest cannot prove medical negligence took place, only the circumstances of the person’s death.
After the inquest, the Coroner will provide a detailed breakdown of the circumstances of the person’s death.
They will answer four questions and give a medical opinion on how the person died.
- The identity of the deceased person?
- Where they died?
- When the death happened?
- How the person died?
A post-mortem
A post-mortem may be requested by the Coroner to determine the medical reasons behind your loved one’s death.
The Coroner will order the post-mortem before the Coroner’s Inquest and will inform the family when they make the request.
The post-mortem report will make up a part of the Coroner’s Inquest report conclusions.
How long does a Coroner’s inquest take?
A Coroner’s Inquest can take between six and nine months to complete. Depending on the circumstances of the case, it will take many months for a Coroner to produce a written report.
Elements involved include talking to witnesses, determining the facts of the person’s death and arranging times for all those involved to attend the inquest.
Most Coroners look to complete an inquest within the nine-month timeframe and will inform the family of the details.
Do I need a medical negligence solicitor at the Coroner’s Inquest?
You do not need a medical negligence solicitor at the Coroner’s Inquest, but some families prefer the comfort of having legal representation.
A solicitor can be very comforting at a Coroner’s Inquest. They can inform the family what is happening and use their experience to guide them through the process.
Your clinical negligence solicitor will use the Coroner’s Inquest report to help you decide on the fatal medical negligence claim.
A fatal medical negligence claim
A fatal medical negligence claim is when the family of a loved one makes a compensation claim when they pass away due to negligence by a healthcare professional.
Your specialist medical negligence solicitor makes the claim for medical negligence on the family’s behalf.
Claims for fatal clinical negligence include medication errors and missing the signs of fatal conditions such as sepsis and the negligent treatment of a relative with a reduced mental capacity.
Making a negligence claim is not pleasant when it can involve the death of a child or a favourite grandparent.
An experienced clinical negligence team will guide you through the process and help you with the Coroner’s Inquest.
Contact us
Contact us today when you suspect medical negligence in the death of a loved one. Our experienced team know how to deal with a Coroner’s Inquest and the steps to a successful medical negligence case.
We will know how much compensation you can expect from a fatal medical negligence claim. Our expert services will provide you with specialist legal advice at every step of your medical negligence compensation claim.
Always use a No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor. We operate a 100% Compensation Guarantee, along with the No Win No Fee agreement, so you will get every penny of the money awarded.
We are very successful at what we do so you will receive all the compensation money very quickly.
Contact the Medical Negligence Team today for all your fatal medical negligence needs.
