Dean Wilson LLP are Expert Solicitors Dealing with Inquests
The purpose of the Inquest is to establish the following points:
- Who was the person that died;
- Where did that person die;
- When did that person die; and
- How did that person die
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Why do I need an Inquest Solicitor?
Usually, the parties who could be responsible for the person’s death will have legal representation at the inquest to protect their interests. We have extensive experience of acting for families at inquests to ensure that everything is done to identify any failings that may have contributed to their loved one’s death and ensure that there are appropriate changes to ensure that a similar incident cannot happen again.
Some examples of where we represent families at inquests are:
- Accidents at work such as on constructions sites;
- Deaths in hospital or healthcare settings;
- Deaths whilst being detained under the Mental Health Act;
- Deaths whilst in the custody of Police
What is the purpose of an Inquest?
During an Inquest a Coroner needs to establish answers to four questions:
- Who was the person that died;
- Where did that person die;
- When did that person die;
- How did that person die
The final question can often be considered widely and where there are suggestions of poor care or treatment the Coroner may look over a period of weeks or months before the person’s death.
What happens at an Inquest?
The Coroner will establish who the Interested Parties are to the Inquest, and then decide what evidence is required for the Inquest. Interested Parties may be presented with the opportunity to make submissions to the Coroner as to what evidence they feel is required and what witnesses should be asked to provide statements. In certain circumstances, it will be possible to obtain expert evidence to assist the Coroner. Specialist legal assistance can help to ensure that the Coroner obtains all of the evidence required to get to the bottom of how the person died.
There will then usually be an Inquest hearing. The Coroner will ask questions to the witnesses and Interested Parties or their lawyers will also have an opportunity to ask questions. At the end of the Inquest, the Coroner will provide a ruling as to the cause of death, and again, they will take submissions from Interested Parties or their legal representatives on what ruling they should consider. The cause of death will then be a matter of public record.
If the Coroner is concerned that failings have contributed to the death, then they can make a Prevention of Future Deaths report. The body concerned then has 56 days to set out what changes they have made in order to ensure that deaths do not occur in the future. A copy of the report also gets sent to the Secretary of State.
Do I need solicitors dealing with Inquests?
Legal representation will not be required for every Inquest, although we recommended that for deaths where another party may be at fault, advice is taken before the Inquest takes place. Public bodies and large organisations will usually be legal represented which can make the process daunting.
We are happy to advise you free of charge whether you should be obtaining legal representation for an Inquest.
How long does an Inquest take?
An Inquest will take as long as is required to hear all of the evidence. Most cases will not take more than a week, and will be finished within a few days. Some very straightforward Inquests will take less than a day to conclude.
No Win No Fee Inquest Solicitors
We are passionate about achieving justice for families and to hold to account authority bodies who could be responsible for a death of a loved one. Often we have been able to use verdicts from inquests as vital evidence to then bring a claim for compensation, and loss of dependency afterwards.
All our Solicitors dealing with Inquests are happy to work on a no win no fee basis, and in certain circumstances pro bono.
The Dean Wilson team has extensive experience and is recommended by the legal publications and Chambers & Partners, and Legal 500. Alex Brown is a recognised specialist in Personal Injury and has appeared in Chambers and the Legal 500 as a result of the complex cases he has been successful in. Alex is recommended as having ‘excellent interpersonal skills’ and has a ‘calm, efficient manner and also shows empathy for a complex situation – he reassures while being realistic and honest’. Chambers and Partners 2022 ranks Alex as ‘Up and Coming’ Solicitor.
Ben Davey is also ranked as an ‘Associate to watch’ by Chambers and Partners 2022 and a ‘Rising Star’ by The Legal 500 2022. He has reached successful outcomes in a number of complex cases and was described as ‘a truly outstanding professional – he is willing to go the extra mile and you can always rely on him to ensure clients get justice.’
To speak to a member of our experienced team of solicitors, please call 01273 249200 for free initial advice about your claim.