Why Has the Coroner Opened an Inquest?

What Families Need to Know

Help! I have been contacted by the Coroner’s Office and advised that they are opening an inquest into death of family member. Why do they need to do this and what should I do?

An inquest is a formal legal investigation, usually led by a coroner, to determine the cause and circumstances of certain types of deaths. One of the most common reasons is when the cause of death is unknown, other reasons an Inquest may be required include deaths that were sudden, unexplained, or occurred under suspicious or unusual circumstances.

We can assist the families of people who have died in the following circumstances:

• Due to medical negligence
• Due to negligence at a care home or in a care setting
• Following a workplace accident
• In prison
• In police custody
• After contact with the police

It is important to understand that an inquest is a fact-finding process to assist the Coroner in establishing the cause of death; they do not apportion blame. However, if the death has occurred due to negligence, there may also be a medical negligence or personal injury claim that the family can bring on behalf of the deceased.

The purpose of the inquest is to allow the Coroner to determine four facts associated with the death:

1. Who has died
2. When they died
3. Where they died
4. How they died

It is very common for the focus of the inquest to focus on how the deceased died. As well as establishing the above four facts, inquests also allow for public transparency, can help provide closure for families, can help to prevent future deaths and can also assist in gathering evidence for legal proceedings – these are completely separate from the inquest.

Our Clinical Negligence Team are experts in supporting families through the inquest process.
We understand how daunting it can be to navigate legal procedures while grieving the loss of a loved one. Whether the death occurred in a medical setting, care environment, workplace, or under state supervision, our team can offer clear, sensitive guidance every step of the way.

If you’ve been contacted by the Coroner’s Office or believe an inquest may be necessary, please get in touch—we’re here to help you understand your rights and explore any potential claims with care and professionalism.

Speak to Catherine Pinnegar

Catherine is a Associate Solicitor at Wollens and can advise you. Contact Catherine via email catherine.pinnegar@wollens.co.uk or call 01803 225112.

View Catherine’s Profile

You can also complete an online enquiry form. One of the Wollens team will contact you as soon as they are available.