Personal Injury
Inquest Solicitors
An inquest can be called where the facts surrounding an individual’s death need to be established. The inquest is called by the Coroner who will then carry out an investigation into that person’s death. Often this can be a lengthy process involving obtaining of documents, calling of witnesses, and obtaining of expert evidence.
Why do I need an Inquest Solicitor?
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Your Inquest Solicitor experts
Get to know those who are here to help you
Samantha Brace
Trainee Solicitor, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Samantha is currently undergoing her first seat as a trainee Solicitor in our Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team, assisting Alex Brown, head of the Personal Injury department with claims in relation to severe and life changing injuries resulting in:
- Brain Injury
- Birth Injury
- Severe Orthopaedic Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury
Samantha previously worked as a Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution team running her own possession claims assisting landlords recover their residential property along with any rent arrears owed and a successful Judgment for their legal costs.
Samantha worked closely with a well-known local managing agents to help clients achieve the best possible outcome. She also assisted senior members in the team with more general litigation matters.
Qualifications
- 1st Class LLB Law (Hons)
- LPC LLM with Distinction in Professional Legal Practice
Samantha can be contacted by email: slb@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249298.
Alex Brown
Partner & Head of Department, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Areas of Specialism
Alex is the head of the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team specialises in severe and life changing injuries to Claimants who have suffered Personal Injuries, Criminal Injuries & Medical Negligence resulting in:
- Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord injury
- Birth Injury
- Amputations
- Severe Orthopaedic Injuries
Recent Client Matters
- Alex Brown settles multimillion pound claim for an above knee amputee following a Road Traffic Accident
- Alex Brown settles seven figure claim following a birth injury to a child for negligent treatment at St Richards Hospital, Chichester
- Alex Brown secures £500,000 settlement for a pedestrian with a head injury following a Road Traffic Accident.
Qualifications, Membership & Directory Rankings
- Solicitor (LLB Hons)
- Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Headway Panel Solicitor
- Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (Brighton)
- Chambers & Partner (Band 2 Partner, Personal Injury and Band 3 Partner, Medical Negligence)
- Legal 500 (Next Generation Partner, Medical Negligence)
Ben Davey
Senior Chartered Legal Executive, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Areas of Specialism
Ben is a Senior Chartered Legal Executive in the Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team. He specialises in complex personal injury and medical negligence claims, acting for the injured party or the families. He specialises in a wide range of life-changing injuries ranging from road traffic accidents, employment claims to severe injury medical negligence claims. Ben is also frequently instructed to represent families at inquest.
Ben has dealt with a number of profile matters which have been reported in the regional, national, and international media.
Recent Client Matters
Personal Injury
- Securing a £2million pound settlement for a man left brain damaged after a road traffic accident. The Defendant initially offered just £40,000 alleging that the Claimant was exaggerating his injuries.
- Settling a case for £1.3million on behalf of the family of a man killed by a hit and run driver.
- A substantial confidential sum for a Claimant who suffered a traumatic brain injury following a road traffic accident.
- Acting for Keith Tarry in a high profile claim against easyJet.
- £450,000 for a protected party who suffered a brain injury after his a chair he was sitting on collapsed.
- Settling a ‘secondary victim’ case two weeks before trial. Liability was denied on the basis that the Claimant had no right in law to damages but despite this, a favourable settlement was achieved.
- Obtaining £225,000 for a client who seriously injured his back during unsafe lifting practices at work.
- Acting for a client who suffered severe pelvic, wrist and head injuries after a fall from height at work.
- A substantial six figure claim on behalf of three daughters after their mother was killed in a road traffic accident.
Medical Negligence
- Concluding a claim at a settlement meeting before trial for £3.5 million where the Claimant, a young boy, suffered a significant brain injury after a brain abscess was missed by his GP.
- Obtaining a million pound settlement in respect to a failure to treatment an infection after orthopaedic surgery.
- A six figure sum plus an apology on behalf of the family of a woman who died in hospital after mismanagement of a stomach ulcer.
- Obtaining a substantial six figure sum for a woman going blind though medical negligence.
- Settling a chronic pain claim in the Claimant’s favour two days into a four-day trial.
- Settlement and an apology on behalf of the family of a woman who died after a delay in diagnosing sepsis.
- Acting on behalf of the estate of a father who died as a result of a delay in diagnosing bowel cancer. The case was defended vigorously throughout but the settlement was achieved before trial.
Inquests
- Archie Jesty – 18 year old who took his own life following mental health failings
- Oscar Riley – a two year old who died after a brain tumour was not identified by medical professionals treating him – pro bono
- Reece Lapina Amarelle – who took his own life after he was discharged from a secure unit. A successful civil claim was later pursued.
- Catherine Robinson – a finding of neglect against a health trust who failed to provide appropriate treatment to a woman who later took her own life. Civil claim ongoing.
- Marcella Walton – a 16 year old girl who took her own life after failings in mental health treatment. The Coroner concluded that there were missed opportunities to intervene. Civil claim ongoing.
Human Rights
- Article 2 (right to life) claims on behalf of the family of Reece Lapina Amarelle
- Article 3 (torture & degrading treatment) & Art 8 (private & family life) group action claims on behalf of more than 70 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims. Ongoing.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
Feedback
Ben works hard to get the best possible results for his clients. He is organised, has good analytical skills and a good eye for detail – Chambers & Partners 2024
Thinks outside the box – he sees and acknowledges my struggles – The Legal 500 2023
Years of relevant experience and can take cases forward and to successful conclusions with vigour – The Legal 500 2022
Truly outstanding professional – he is willing to go the extra mile and you can always rely on him to ensure clients get justice - Chambers and Partners 2022
Ben Davey was highly professional, diligent and constructively helpful in his explanations. Ben quickly identified the issues and provided a practical approach to deal with the issues in question and accordingly I have no hesitation in recommending him and his firm – Google review
Qualifications, Membership (& Directory Rankings)
- Senior Chartered Legal Executive (FCilex)
- Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Headway Panel Solicitor
- Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (Brighton)
Jessica Edwards
Solicitor, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Areas of Specialism
I am a Solicitor specialising in personal injury and medical negligence claims. I qualified as a Solicitor in March 2022, having previously spent 4 years working with the team assisting on high value catastrophic injury cases involving brain and spinal cord injury.
I only act for the injured party (Claimants). My specialism is working with people who suffer serious injuries, which may have been caused by:
- Road traffic accidents including Cars, Bicycles and Pedestrians
- Accidents at work
- Accidents on public property/highways
- Medical Negligence/Injury
Recent Client Matters
I have previously reached settlement for my clients who have suffered a range of injuries including fractures, soft tissue injuries and PTSD. Following an accident, a client’s day to day life is affected. My role is to secure compensation for client’s whose ability to work and earn has been impacted and to help them meet future treatment needs on a private basis to assist their recovery.
I am currently assisting my colleague, Ben Davey, with the David Fuller inquiry and compensation scheme, and we act for many the affected family members.
- Personal Injury
- Medical Negligence
- Inquests
Qualifications, Membership
- Solicitor (LLB Hons)
- Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Major Trauma Signposting Partnership (Brighton)
Tom Saady Gardiner
Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Areas of Specialism
Tom is a Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team, assisting Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards with a variety of cases ranging from minor to severe. Tom has assisted on the successful settlement of a number of cases involving severe orthopaedic and psychiatric injuries.
Recent Client Matters
- Tom assisted in securing a successful settlement for two secondary victim claims, where the Claimants were witnessed to the aftermath of a close family member sustaining severe orthopaedic injuries arising out of a road traffic collision.
- Tom is assisting in the ongoing Article 3 (torture & degrading treatment) & Article 8 (private & family life) group action claim for more than 120 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims.
Natasha Gunn
Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Areas of Specialism
Natasha is a Paralegal in the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence team, and assists Ben Davey and Jessica Edwards with a variety of cases involving:
- Severe orthopaedic injury
- Brain injury
- Amputation
- Inquests
- Psychiatric injury
Recent Client Matters
- Natasha is assisting in the Article 8 (private & family life) group action claim for more than 120 family members of David Fuller’s mortuary victims.
- Natasha has recently assisted on the settlement of a case involving a pedestrian who was struck by a car resulting in orthopaedic, dental and brain injuries.
Qualifications, Membership
- LLB (Hons)
- LLM Law – International Human Rights Law
- Currently studying towards the SQE (Solicitor Qualifying Exam)
Becca Porter
Senior Legal Assistant / Paralegal, Personal Injury & Medical Negligence
Areas of Specialism
Becca supports Alex Brown and the Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Team in cases involving severe and life changing injuries to claimants who have suffered personal injuries, criminal injuries & medical negligence resulting in:
- Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Birth Injury
- Amputations
- Severe Orthopaedic Injuries
Recent Client Matters
- Becca assisted Alex Brown to secure a six-figure sum for a client who suffered a severe leg injury in a road traffic accident. On taking the case over from another firm of solicitors, it became clear there were evidential issues, including urgent and complex disclosure, which were swiftly dealt with to enable the claim to progress to a successful resolution.
- Becca supported Alex who acted for an amputee injured in a motorcycle accident. Compensation of approximately £2,000,000 was achieved.
- With a personal interest in neurodivergence, Becca has supported the Team in several brain injury cases, including for clients with birth injuries. One recent case included recovering sums to fund physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, psychology, pain management, vestibular therapy, speech and language therapy, hydrotherapy, assistive technology, care and case management, amongst other heads of damage. Some of the cases Becca has worked on involve anonymity orders to protect the identity of vulnerable clients, which is why these cases are not publicised on our website.
- In numerous cases, Becca has supported Alex and the team utilising her extensive experience of disclosure and Schedules of Special Damage.
Qualifications, Membership
- BA (Hons)
Contact the Inquest Solicitor Department
Enter your details below
Read our Latest News
On Inquest Solicitor Services
Settlement of claim for passenger following terrifying 30 meter drop
Dean Wilson obtain settlement for e-scooter case despite ‘ex turpi causa’ defence.
