Coroners' Inquests: Legal support
Following a workplace fatality, an inquest will be held into the death by a Coroner. The Coroner’s Inquest will be wholly separate to any criminal or civil proceedings which may follow.
As the employer, the company will be expected to comment on the incident. During the Inquest the company will be treated as an interested party to the proceedings. Invariably, a number of the company’s employees will also be called as witnesses to the Inquest. But how far should the company comment when the Health and Safety Executive’s investigation is still ongoing? What actions may or may not be considered an admission of liability? The information provided during the Inquest will affect the case against the company being prepared by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or local authority (LA) and any claimant to a possible civil action.
Our health and safety solicitors regularly represent clients during Coroner’s Inquests following workplace deaths. We advise upon:
- the purpose of a Coroner’s Inquest
- the scope of the Coroner’s Inquest
- what to expect during an Inquest
- obtaining pre-inquest disclosure
- practical tips for dealing effectively with an Inquest
- the approach to be adopted during the Inquest
- brand protection during and following the Inquest including media relations
For further information on Coroners’ Inquests please take a look at our guide series Why do I need a lawyer?
To arrange a discussion with a Coroners' Inquest solicitor click here or call us on 0800 840 4929.
