12. What should I do if a relative has died as a result of a medical accident?

If a relative has died, you can take the same steps you would take if you were injured during medical treatment, but you should also arrange to contact the local coroner.

Coroners are responsible for investigating any death where someone has not died from natural causes (except for stillbirths). You should tell the coroner about your concerns as soon as you can, because they will normally ask for a post- mortem examination. The coroner will carry out a first inquiry to decide whether an inquest should be held. This is a public hearing to find out the cause of someone's death.

If you have solicitor, they can contact the coroner for you, but you can do it yourself. Even if you plan to use solicitor to help you with your case, you do not have to wait until you find a suitable one before contacting the coroner. The local coroner should be listed in the phone book.

If you can, you should get advice from a clinical negligence solicitor or Action against Medical Accidents at an early stage. The solicitor can contact the coroner and explain why there should be an inquest. The solicitor can also arrange for a second post-mortem if it is needed. If an inquest is held, your solicitor can arrange for a legal representative to ask questions for you.

If you cannot afford a solicitor, you may be able to get Community Legal Service funding to pay for any legal help you might need for the inquest. See 'Further help' for more information.