Inquest Solicitors in Salisbury

Where there are questions around the way someone died, a coroner’s inquest will be called to find answers. For families, dealing with an inquest can be very challenging, but getting the right legal support can make the experience easier on you as well as helping to make sure that your interests are effectively represented.

At Novum Law Salisbury, we offer specialist coroner’s inquest representation and advice for families. We have particular expertise in inquests after fatal medical negligence, deaths of mental health patients and deaths following fatal road and workplace accidents.

It is really important that families have a voice at coroners’ inquests. Our team will work with you to decide what questions you want answered and any specific concerns you have. We can then liaise with the coroner, hospitals, police and other appropriate organisations on your behalf as well as providing inquest representation for you.

Our inquest solicitors in Salisbury will be able to assist you with:

• Preparing for an inquest
• Coroner’s inquest representation
• Reviewing the outcome of a coroner’s inquest
• Challenging the outcome of an inquest if required

If the outcome of an inquest suggests that your loved one’s death was due to medical negligence or an accident, we can advise you on the next steps you can take, including pursuing a compensation claim where appropriate.

If you want to know more about inquests, please read our inquest page.

Speak to Our Inquest Solicitors in Salisbury for a Free Consultation

If you need advice or representation for a coroner’s inquest, our solicitors in Salisbury are here for you. We offer free initial advice and No Win No Fee funding if you wish to make a compensation claim for the death of your loved one.

We also have local offices in Bristol, Cardiff, the Isle of Wight, Plymouth, Southampton and Swindon allowing us to offer a convenient local service to clients further afield.

To speak to a member of our team, please contact us on 01722 447 430 or get in touch with us online for a free, no obligation chat.

Legal Support for a Coroner’s Inquest

Preparing for an inquest

A key part of a coroner’s inquest is the chance for the family and other interested parties to ask questions (or have them asked on their behalf). Spending some time prior to the inquest thinking about what you want to know can significantly increase your chances of getting the answers you need.

Our inquest lawyers can help you to consider what questions you want to ask, making sure they are as clearly phrased and as comprehensive as possible. We can assist you with preparing to ask these questions yourself or ask them for you at the inquest if you prefer.

Coroner’s inquest representation

The idea of attending a coroner’s inquest can be upsetting and daunting for families, especially if there are questions you need to ask. It is therefore very common for families to prefer to have a professional to represent them at an inquest and ask questions for them.

Our inquest solicitors in Salisbury can support you at an inquest or appear for you, making sure your questions are asked effectively and answered to your satisfaction. This can not only make the inquest proceedings easier on you, but also help to ensure you get the answers you need.

Reviewing the outcome of a coroner’s inquest

A coroner’s verdict will not always be straightforward and often takes some degree of interpretation to understand what it means and what needs to happen next. It is very common for families to be left with more questions following an inquest, especially where you believe someone else may be responsible for your loved one’s death.

Our inquest solicitors in Salisbury can review the outcome of a coroner’s inquest with you, explain any implications of the coroner’s conclusions and advise you on your options for taking further action.

Where the death involves a fatal injury or suspected medical negligence, we can discuss the possibility of making a compensation claim. In many cases, this is the only way to establish who was at fault for your loved one’s death.

Challenging the outcome of an inquest

In the event that you have concerns about the coroner’s conclusion, you may be able to challenge their decision, depending on the circumstances. While there is no standard right of appeal, a challenge can sometimes be made under section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988 or by applying for a judicial review.

You should be aware, however, that such challenges are rare and strong grounds are required for one to be accepted. Getting specialist legal advice is, therefore, essential and something our team will be happy to help with.

Coroner’s Inquests Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a coroner’s inquest?

A coroner’s inquest will be held where someone has died and there is uncertainty around one or more of the following issues:

• Who the deceased person was
• How they died
• When they died
• Where they died

The coroner’s job is to provide answers to these questions sufficient for the death to be registered. Their conclusions will either include the cause of the death in question, if this can be determined, or an ‘open verdict’ if the coroner feels there is not sufficient evidence to definitively say what the cause of death was.

Depending on the circumstances, the coroner’s conclusions may take the form of a straightforward verdict that simply states the cause of death or they may choose to give a ‘narrative conclusion’ that goes into more detail about the circumstances surrounding the death.

Why will a death be referred to the coroner?

A coroner’s inquest will be held where a death has occurred and:

• The cause of death is unknown
• The identity of the deceased is uncertain or unknown
• The deceased died a violent or unnatural death
• The deceased died in prison or police custody
• The deceased died while detained under the Mental Health Act

Do families attend a coroner’s inquest?

Families can and normally do attend inquests, although some families prefer to choose a single representative to attend the inquest as some family members may find the process too upsetting. Children (anyone under the age of 18) are not usually allowed to attend coroner’s inquests and, if you wish a child to attend, you should ask the Coroner’s Officer about this in advance.

Does an inquest apportion blame for a death?

It is not the coroner’s role to assign blame for a death – their job is simply to record their conclusion about the circumstances surrounding a death. Determining blame is more commonly achieved through making a medical negligence claim or a personal injury claim, which will be entirely separate to the inquest.

Speak to our Inquest Solicitors in Salisbury for a Free Consultation

If you need advice or representation for a coroner’s inquest, our solicitors in Salisbury are here for you. We offer free initial advice and No Win No Fee funding if you wish to make a compensation claim for the death of your loved one.

We also have local offices in Bristol, Cardiff, the Isle of Wight, Plymouth, Southampton and Swindon allowing us to offer a convenient local service to clients further afield.

To speak to a member of our team, please contact us on 01722 447 430 or online for a free, no obligation chat.