Fatal claims and inquests

Sadly sometimes a family member dies and the exact cause is unknown or unclear. In some cases, it may be due to a mistake on the part of the medical professional. Claims can arise as a result of an avoidable accident or in different medical settings. This may include death in a hospital or at home, following medical treatment, as well as mistakes made in the diagnosis and treatment given to your family member.  

In certain cases your local coroner may decide to hold an inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding your family member’s death. It can be a daunting prospect for a bereaved person to manage the inquest process and it may be best to instruct a solicitor who is experienced in dealing with that process to support you.

If the coroner has called for an inquest into the death of your family member, and you would like advice and/or representation at the inquest, we have a team of experienced solicitors who can support you through the process and represent you.

We have represented families of a deceased family member, including children, at inquests for many years and understand what a traumatic time it is. We will always ensure that our clients' views are properly represented. We advise clients on procedure in the Coroner's Court and act as advocates during the inquest itself. We have more information in our What is an Inquest? factsheet to help you.

Our inquest specialists are a key part of our personal injury and clinical negligence team. We are frequently recommended for our expertise in legal directories and peer reviews such as Chambers UK and The Legal 500.

Here are some comments made about us:

"a group of incredibly experienced and first-class litigators", the team has a national reputation for excellence and extensive experience in dealing with wide-ranging and complex claims relating to all types of injury.
Russell-Cooke client

"the team that supported us during our litigation case were always efficient, caring and supportive" and we praise the team's "attention to detail, and personal approach".
Russell-Cooke client 

We can advise you on the different ways that an inquest could be funded. You may have legal expense insurance that covers this. In certain cases public funding may be available. We assess each case on its merits and offer conditional fee agreements on a case by case basis. We also do inquest work on a private basis where alternative funding is not available.

Following an inquest we can, if appropriate, advise family members on any further steps they may wish to take, including a possible civil claim. We have a proven track record in securing financial settlements for negligence claims arising from evidence that comes out of an inquest.

If you want to discuss the possibility of representation at an inquest, then do get in contact with us. Anyone in our team of experienced lawyers will be happy to advise you and answer questions that you may have about the process. The initial consultation will be free.