The Coroner's Office
When to report deaths to the Coroner
There is a common law duty on all citizens including doctors to report the facts and circumstances to the coroner which may lead him or her to open an inquest and in particular the following (by way of example only):
- an accident or injury
- an industrial disease
- during a surgical operation before recovery from an anaesthetic
- if the cause of death is unknown
- the death was sudden and unexplained, for instance, a sudden infant death (cot death).
The coroner may be the only person who can certify the cause of death. The doctor will write on the Formal Notice that the death has been referred to the coroner. If the doctor treating the deceased had not seen him or her, either after death or within 14 days before death, the death must be reported to the coroner.
Contents of The Coroner's Office
- Contacting the Coroner
- Duties of the Coroner
- Who is the Coroner?
- What will the Coroner do?
- When to report deaths to the Coroner (this page)
