Advice on death possibly through negligence

longwalks1

Please bear with me, and I hope this comes across right. 

On 27th Dec 2023, a close friend (55 years old) passed at home.  Initially it was assumed to be a heart attack, but it later transpired to of been possibly caused by a piece of plastic that pierced or tore a vein/artery. 

Here’s a timeline of events: 

Pacemaker fitted in October 2023

Rushed to hospital on 18 Dec 2023 with shortness of breath and chest pains

Released from hospital and sent home on 24 Dec 2023

Died at home on morning of 27 Dec 2023.  Suspected heart attack.

September 2024 finally seen a report (70 pages)into the death, interviews with paramedics and air ambulance who attended on 27 Dec 23. 

Report states that during autopsy a blue plastic hook associated with the pacemaker ended up piercing a vein or artery. 

There is an inquest/hearing coming up in 3 weeks time. 

Is this upcoming inquest going to be a clear cut, already decided ‘nothing more could have been done, case closed’ hearing?  

Or should my late friend’s sons (28 and 30 years old) seek legal advice?

I realise this is a sensitive matter and I’m only asking what the boys should expect in 3 weeks time.  And are they going just to sit in the gallery or is this the time to ask questions? 

Will they/should they take someone with them?

Thank you all in advance 

elsien

The purpose of the inquest is to look into the circumstances around the death and decide the verdict from that. It is fact finding rather than blame. 
If her sons wish to be able to ask any questions, they need to register as an interested party in advance.
 If they are considering a possible negligence claim and they might want to get some legal advice from a specialist, but they will have to pay. 

Fuller guide around processes here.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e258ec240f0b62c52248094/guide-to-coroner-services-bereaved-people-jan-2020.pdf

Flugelhorn

best person to speak to would be the coroner's officer who they probably have been in contact with already - they will know the whole process and can explain what will happen. 

bobster2

longwalks1 said:

September 2024 finally seen a report (70 pages)into the death, interviews with paramedics and air ambulance who attended on 27 Dec 23. 

Report states that during autopsy a blue plastic hook associated with the pacemaker ended up piercing a

Sorry you and your friend's sons are in the sad situation.

What you wrote was a little unclear - do you mean a hook ended up piercing something during the autopsy? Or that during the autopsy it was found to be piercing something?

Did your friend receive CPR on the day that he died?

longwalks1

bobster2 said:

Sorry you and your friend's sons are in the sad situation.

What you wrote was a little unclear - do you mean a hook ended up piercing something during the autopsy? Or that during the autopsy it was found to be piercing something?

Did your friend receive CPR on the day that he died?

Sorry Bobster2, i should of said.  It was found during the autopsy that a blue plastic hook associated with the pacemaker had pierced something, and that possibly caused the death. Whether it had pierced prior to the 27th Dec when he passed is currently unclear.  CPR was given on the day by paramedics at his home where he fell ill

bobster2

longwalks1 said:

bobster2 said:

Sorry you and your friend's sons are in the sad situation.

What you wrote was a little unclear - do you mean a hook ended up piercing something during the autopsy? Or that during the autopsy it was found to be piercing something?

Did your friend receive CPR on the day that he died?

Sorry Bobster2, i should of said.  It was found during the autopsy that a blue plastic hook associated with the pacemaker had pierced something, and that possibly caused the death. Whether it had pierced prior to the 27th Dec when he passed is currently unclear.  CPR was given on the day by paramedics at his home where he fell ill

OK - this could be quite tricky to establish as CPR can be quite traumatic to the chest - e.g. fractured ribs. Vigorous chest compressions could displace a pacemaker lead. But whether they could displace something sharp that could puncture something else? The would be something you'd need expert views on.