
Medical Inquests
Medical Inquest Compensation Claims
Suffering the loss of a loved one is devastating. It can be even harder to deal with if you discover that the actions of the healthcare professionals entrusted with their care might have contributed towards their death.
Unfortunately, in these cases families are often left with many unanswered questions about what happened during the time immediately before their death.
During this difficult time, we can provide you with a leading inquest lawyer from our specialist team who has the necessary experience in representing clients at inquests and of dealing with fatal accident claims to ensure your interests are properly represented.
Your dedicated inquest solicitor will support and guide you throughout your case ensuring the process is as straightforward and stress free as possible. This will allow you to get the answers you need to try and restore some order back into your life as soon as possible.
Specialists in Medical Inquests
When you choose Hudgell Solicitors you are guaranteed to have full support of a specialist lawyer who will make sure to give you clear information and ensure the interests of you and your family are always taken care of . You will be able to fully rely on your legal representative who will:
- Obtain reports and analyse medical evidence including the post-mortem.
- Question key witnesses or medical staff who attend the inquest.
- Make representations as to the appropriate verdict for the Coroner to reach.
- Bring a claim for compensation through the Civil courts, if appropriate, after the inquest has concluded.
- Attempt to secure policy changes – so that other families don’t suffer in the same way in the furture.
We are members of INQUEST which is the only charity providing expertise on state related deaths and their investigation to bereaved people, lawyers, advice and support agencies, the media and parliamentarians.
Making a Medical Inquest Claim
Representing yourself at an inquest is, understandably, a daunting prospect – especially for anyone who is not familiar with the complexities of this legal process. If you’re still trying to cope with the shock and grief of losing a loved one, you may find it hard to stay composed as the details of their death are investigated in public.
By law, you do not need to be legally represented at an inquest. In fact, it is the Government’s view that this process is an inquisitorial process which should focus on determining how the deceased came to die and nothing more. In reality, the organisation or NHS trust which provided treatment will often be represented by a highly-qualified lawyer making it even more important to seek legal support and advice through this time.
If you have questions about how your loved one died and you want to be fully involved in the inquest, it’s a good idea to be represented by a legal expert with detailed inquest knowledge.
How much will my claim cost?
Depending on the circumstances of the non-natural death, it may be possible to secure funding for inquest representation on a “no win-no fee” basis as part of a personal injury or negligence case.
If a loved one has died because of an accident which was not their fault, or a mistake made during medical treatment, there may be a negligence claim relating to their death. Taking this course of action may allow you gain access to funding for an inquest solicitor.For more complex cases which require legal representation, public funding could be an option through the Legal Aid Agency or in some cases – crowdfunding.
We also act for families on a private fee paying basis and will provide you with details of the costs up front.
Getting the right advice is crucial so you can move on with the right course of action for you.
Find out moreFAQs
- Take control of the process and guide you through every step of the way liaising with the Coroner on your behalf.
- Provide you with regular updates, including timescales.
- Provide high quality expertise and legal representation at pre-inquest reviews and at the inquest itself.
- Highlight any failings or negligent acts which may have contributed to death.
- Take the time to speak to you about any concerns or worries you may have throughout the entirety of the process
- If the deceased died while in police custody or state detention and the death was violent and/or unnatural and/or of unknown cause.
- Where the death resulted from an act or omission of a police officer in the execution of their duty.
- Where the deceased died as a result of an accident, poisoning or disease which must be reported to a government department or inspector.