Inquests

An inquest is basically an inquiry into a death conducted by a Coroner who is a bit like a judge. He or she can ask questions of the witnesses. Coroners are either doctors or lawyers or both.

If you are reading this you have probably lost a loved one to carbon monoxide poisoning. CO-Gas Safety is aware that this is a devastating time and wants you to know that you can always contact us for free, independent, confidential help and advice.
We prefer email office@co-gassafety.co.uk but if you’d prefer to call, please ring 01372 466135 or Mob. 07803 088688.

We are always particularly keen to help those who have lost young children. We are also very keen to help those who have unexplained deaths and whose loved ones may have died from the other toxins in the products of combustion.

Please be aware that Coroners are quite independent and the sort of person the Coroner is can make a huge difference. Some Coroners are incredibly sympathetic and helpful to families. Some are not very approachable at all. Very occasionally families feel that the Coroner is unhelpful or even rude.

Most families want to find out what their loved one died from and why.
Normally it is easy to find out whether or not it was carbon monoxide, (CO) that caused the death. However, it is also important to know that you have a right to a second post mortem or autopsy (i.e. medical examination after death) and that you have a right to appoint your own pathologist to carry out the examination. However, you may be charged for this.
Please be aware that there is no automatic test for carbon monoxide on death. Even if toxicological tests are undertaken these are more often for drink and drugs, not CO and certainly not for the other toxins in the products of combustion.
It is not correct to assume that with regard to a baby or young child that more effort and more tests will be carried out. I was once told by a Coroner’s officer that with a cot death the examination is merely to see if the stepfather killed the child.

If you suspect that the other products of combustion caused the death then this is extremely difficult to prove (see ‘Other toxins’ on the website and do contact the charity for help as you will need it).

However, finding out why there carbon monoxide was present is much more difficult.
The vital thing to know is that it is the work you do before the inquest is the most important work for you as a family to undertake.

Some Coroners will send you all the relevant documents. However, many Coroners will not and many will refuse your requests for all the relevant documents, or simply not answer unless you instruct a lawyer to write to the Coroner for you. This is, in our opinion wrong, but it is best that you know how the system works.

Why is it so important to obtain all the relevant documents before the inquest?
Because if you read these documents carefully, you will no doubt come up with questions that you would like to ask of the witnesses at the inquest or suggest witnesses to be at the inquiry. If you don’t do this in good time, it will be too late. Basically, you need to accept that you only get one inquest and one chance to find out whatever you can about what went wrong. Make the most of it or decide not to bother early on. People with the most regrets are those who made feeble attempts but they were not determined enough to seek help and after the inquest feel let down and frustrated.

Legal aid for inquests is possible but is not easy to obtain.

Some lawyers will act free for you with regard to the inquest but make sure you know what he or she, will or will not be doing and what he or she would do if paid.

There is an excellent organization called ‘Inquest’ but they basically deal only with deaths in custody although they will offer basic advice. See contact details under ‘Useful addresses.’