Death person falling out of bed is this possible!

loulou41

Not sure where to post this, feel free to remove post from forum. I posted few weeks ago about my friend's husband who was found on the floor dead on his first night at the hospice. The letter she got from the hospital and in agreement with the coroner is that he died and then fell out of bed. Is this possible for a dead person to fall out of bed after death? I find this explanation not good enough. Thanks

Yorkshireman99

loulou41 wrote: »

Not sure where to post this, feel free to remove post from forum. I posted few weeks ago about my friend's husband who was found on the floor dead on his first night at the hospice. The letter she got from the hospital and in agreement with the coroner is that he died and then fell out of bed. Is this possible for a dead person to fall out of bed after death? I find this explanation not good enough. Thanks

You would have to ask the coroner for more details.

Nick_C

I suppose it is possible that someone could be sitting on the edge of a bed, die, and fall on the floor. Can't see how it could happen if they were lying down though.

TBagpuss

I think it would depend on how they were sitting or lying before they died. f they were sitting propped up on pillows, or lying near the edge of the bed it could happen.

(It's also possible that if they died in bed and then someone bumped into the bed that that might cause the body to fall)

I believe that a pathologist could determine whether injuries or bruises were caused before or after death, so they probably can say whether any bruising (and therefore any fall) was before or after death.

Margot123

Not to go into too much detail but a body can move several minutes after death. This is caused by electrical spasms within the body.
Therefore, yes, entirely possible.

troubleinparadise

I personally know of someone who had been comatose for several days who sat up and opened their eyes at the moment of death, then fell back into a lying position again.

So I suppose if that type of spasm happened in another direction it could be possible for a person lying down to fall out of the bed at the moment of death.

The Coroner has no doubt encountered all the weird and odd circumstances of death - if the Coroner is satisfied this was what happened then it more than likely is what happened. The Coroner has no reason to state anything other than the truth.

Odd things do happen in death, and sadly this particular situation has obviously left some questions for the family and friends. If wanted, it would be possible to discuss this with either the medics involved, or the Coroner - it seems some peace of mind is needed.

kingfisherblue

loulou41 wrote: »

Not sure where to post this, feel free to remove post from forum. I posted few weeks ago about my friend's husband who was found on the floor dead on his first night at the hospice. The letter she got from the hospital and in agreement with the coroner is that he died and then fell out of bed. Is this possible for a dead person to fall out of bed after death? I find this explanation not good enough. Thanks

Please don't take offence, but if your friend finds the explanation good enough, why don't you? I know that you are friends, but surely it's her business? If you told your friend that you don't find the explanation good enough, you could cause her a great deal of unnecessary distress.

loulou41

She does not find the explanation good enough. The family is going to ask how is it possible for a dead person to fall out of bed now they have got it in writing. Although he was poorly he was not expected to die that night. He was found dead on the floor with bruises on his face. I also understand if they were going to pursue the issue the funeral will be delayed. If she gets a satisfactory explanation she will find closure.

Margot123

'Cadaveric spasm is one of those seldom talked about occurrences. Most people working for any length of time in a hospice/end of life care environment will have encountered it.

It isn't usually mentioned due to the distress it can cause those closest to the deceased.

The Coroner's report may actually mention this term.

Jenniefour

loulou41 wrote: »

Although he was poorly he was not expected to die that night.

Hospital staff don't always get it right, predicting when someone who is very ill might die is not an exact science.

Ask the coroner for more information.

getmore4less

The letter she got from the hospital and in agreement with the coroner is that he died and then fell out of bed.

What do they want to know?

The family is going to ask how is it possible for a dead person to fall out of bed.......Although he was poorly he was not expected to die that night

My thought is a higher priority would be getting the cause of death.