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Inquests

INQUESTS – HOW CAN WE HELP?

If there has been an unexpected death in your family that requires an inquest, you need not face the ordeal alone. We can provide inquest support and representation for bereaved families – our sympathetic, experienced and dependable legal professionals are on your side to help.

We understand that the prospect of an inquest into the death of a loved one can be distressing and bewildering at a time when you are already suffering the trauma of untimely loss so we will guide and advise you throughout the process, representing your best interests at all times.

WHAT HAPPENS AT AN INQUEST?

Inquests are judicial inquiries into the circumstances and cause of a person’s death, presided over by a coroner and held in a coroner’s court – such a hearing is an essential part of establishing the cause of death.

Witness statements are required from medical professionals and others and, although a coroner does not apportion blame, he or she can refer issues of concern to the relevant authorities in order for appropriate action to be taken.

WHY CHOOSE US AS YOUR INQUEST LAWYERS?

Our specialist inquest lawyers provide a full inquest service tailored to fit your needs and the circumstances of your bereavement.

We will ensure the right questions are asked about how, where, and when your loved one died and we can, if required, represent you in person during the hearing to voice your perspective and maintain a focus on your best interests.

George Ide LLP. We're on your side

ALWAYS ON YOUR SIDE

As a leading South Coast law firm, we are committed to providing trustworthy and reliable legal services of the highest quality. We are passionate about achieving the best-possible outcomes for our clients and everything we do is driven by our genuine commitment to you as a valued client.

We have extensive experience of acting on behalf of clients at inquests called to investigate a variety of situations including hospital deaths, nursing home deaths, prison deaths, and police-related deaths.

Our approachable team can shoulder the burden of your stress and strive to ensure the coroner’s initial verdict is comprehensive and truthful, taking all the relevant factors into account.

And, if necessary, following the verdict we will discuss your options for further redress including the chances of a successful appeal before the High Court.

GET IN TOUCH FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about inquests and their repercussions, or to find out how our team can help if your family is facing an inquest into the death of a loved one, contact us today. You can reach us by clicking on the link, writing to us in confidence at info@georgeide.co.uk, by emailing our specialists directly, or by calling our Chichester offices on 01243 786668.

Paul Fretwell | Partner

Head of Personal Injury

01243 812405 paul.fretwell@georgeide.co.uk

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Ian Oliver | Partner

Dispute Resolution, Compliance Officer, Legal Practice (COLP)

01243 812421 ian.oliver@georgeide.co.uk

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Client Testimonials

From the moment I contacted you the service has been amazing. You responded to my first enquiry over a bank holiday weekend and followed it up in detail on the Tuesday. That personal touch emphasised that the service was above and beyond, and has continued to be so ever since. That call literally saved my life in more ways than I can mention.

Rusty Brown

Paul Fretwell

I have worked with Paul for several years now on various challenging cases. Paul has a very honest and open approach with the people he represents, his communication skills and ability to share complex information at a level of understanding for his clients is second to none. Paul has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by somebody who has acquired a brain injury and it is this understanding that ensures clients anxiety levels and concerns are kept at the lowest level possible at all times. Paul is realistic with his expectations and has had a high level of success with regard to achieving the right level of settlement to ensure his clients get the support they need for the rest of their lives.

Karl Thompson. Managing Director, Thompson Holistic Care Services (THCS)

Paul Fretwell

I contacted George Ide LLP by recommendation when my husband was involved in a severe accident as a pedestrian almost 4 years ago. In the very early days Paul Fretwell visited us at home and was an immense support through what turned out to be a very difficult case. Paul immediately knew my husband’s injuries were life-changing and throughout he dealt with it in the most holistic way possible, including instructing the best counsel and experts, to ensure the most positive outcome for us.
Paul takes a practical and pragmatic, but supportive approach. For the duration of our claim he was unfailingly responsive, always communicating legal detail clearly and concisely, which was important given my husband’s cognitive restrictions and fatigue issues. We would absolutely recommend Paul and George Ide LLP to anyone dealing with the legal aftermath of a severe accident.

Martin & Lynne Gowers

Paul Fretwell

I don’t have enough words to describe how helpful, professional and supportive you have been, at a very stressful time for me. I feel really lucky to have had you as my solicitor. Your service was superb; it just could not have been better.

Paul Fretwell

How can I just say thank you, if I say it a hundred times it wouldn’t be enough. What you have achieved is unbelievable, I never imagined the compensation would amount to anything like that, if you recall, I once asked you if I might get another £27.000 making a grand total of £100.000, than I truly thought I could possibly get between £150.000 and £200.000 and I’d have been happy, so you can imagine how shocked and thrilled I was when the figure was doubled.

When I left your offices I was almost in tears, it didn’t feel right saying goodbye, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend, which I feel you’ve been. I don’t know how I’d have got through the last couple of years without your input, I didn’t even know I was entitled to compensation until you told me, which also means no rehab either. I can’t begin to imagine the mess I’d be in now.

I will be eternally grateful Paul for all you have done.

Best wishes

Sue

Paul Fretwell

“In an age of ever larger firms of solicitors, George Ide LLP stands out as a beacon of truly personal service against the backdrop of warm and welcoming staff. Not only does Paul Fretwell possess real expertise in high value personal injury claims, he brings charm and real commitment to everything he does. No Claimant could be other than impressed by his willingness to go that extra yard in their cause. The legal industry would be a better place if there were more like both the firm and Paul Fretwell.”

Will Waldron QC

Paul Fretwell

We thought that we needed to write to you to express our deepest thanks for the way that you personally and all of the staff involved with you carried out the whole case from beginning to end.
The background people are often overlooked but we feel that we had the best team playing for us on all levels.

Paul Fretwell

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for guiding and supporting my friends through to this conclusion over the last 3 years. The early days were incredibly tough for them as you know and your calm reassuring presence has been one of the main reasons they were able to cope, especially back then. You’ll have learnt that R is a very tough and determined character, but I know they’d have struggled without your help.
Living abroad and unable to help them as much as I would have liked, it’s been so reassuring to continually hear how confident they’ve been in your ability to resolve this for them, right from the word go. I know I was very happy in my own mind that they’d got the right person on their side, after I spoke to you on the phone.

So, thank you again for all the time and effort you’ve put into getting them this result… for always being available to speak to them, even when you were supposed to be on holiday, for steering them through the hardest times and the quagmire of the courts. You’ve made such a difference for them and seeing R getting on with life with such a positive attitude that I’m not sure I would have been able to replicate, had it happened to me; is extremely satisfying as well as inspirational.

Rich J

Paul Fretwell

Ian Oliver and Paul Lewis of George Ide Solicitors, and their appointed barrister, were outstanding in helping us defend an HMO licensing prosecution by a local authority. This was a complex matter which should never have been taken to trial by the local authority. However, thanks to the care, knowledge and tenacity shown by George Ide, the correct judgment was given. Thanks again for guiding us through this stressful experience.

Ian Wiggett, Pace Property, Lettings & Management Ltd.

Ian Oliver / Paul Lewis

Jasmine has told me that she has now settled and that she can move on with her life.

I would just like to write a brief note of genuine heartfelt thanks from all of us involved. Your company was recommended by a good family friend who works in the BH1 postcode area, at a time when most of us were either in shock or at a loss about how to proceed.

From our very first communication, and the day of your visit to Jasmine’s Mum’s house, you have been thoroughly professional whilst being incredibly caring. You personally, no doubt with the assistance of your team, have allowed Jasmine the opportunity to recover at her own speed, with the assistance of the full spectrum of the medical world, to a point where I honestly believe that she is in a better state mentally and confidence-wise than she was even before the accident.

I would have no hesitation in recommending your Company to anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in a similar situation.

It is common for people who are expert in their field to state that “I was only doing my job” – well, in this case, I am very glad that it was you who handled Jasmine’s case.

With many Kind Regards

John & Paula Gerken

Paul Fretwell

I was involved in a traffic accident as a pedestrian, being hit by a car. My family were recommended to George Ide regarding personal injury, and what a great choice this turned out to be. Words can’t express how thankful and grateful I am for the service and support that I received from everyone at George Ide. My case was handled by Paul Fretwell with the help of Karen Jenkins, and the genuine kindness, care, and professionalism that they provided throughout my claim from start to finish was second to none. The experience of Paul and his team really shone through, and this was obvious from the very start when I first met Paul for an initial chat at home. The thoroughness and dedication to getting me the best possible outcome was clear throughout. Paul fought to the nail making sure that no stone was unturned, this allowing me to feel less anxious and to be able to concentrate on getting physically and mentally better. For anyone that goes through a traumatic event, the support from the people around you is key, Paul and his team were no exception to this, and I felt that I had a true friend and ally on my side. George Ide and Paul should be the first port of call to someone in need of a personal injury solicitor, I can’t recommend them enough!

Alex Richardson

Paul Fretwell/Karen Jenkins

I have worked with George Ide LLP for many years, initially as a support worker but now as a Registered Manager. I have found their brain injury
team, more specifically Paul Fretwell, to be highly efficient, supportive and effective when working alongside me with a very challenging group of clients. Paul and the team at George Ide LLP have secured settlements ranging from £1-6 million and beyond, ensuring financial security and peace of mind for life for the clients and their families.

I have worked closely over many years with Ursula Watt and Stephen Shine in George Ide LLP’s Court of Protection team. I am always impressed by how adaptable and attentive they are in looking after their brain-injured clients who often display challenging behaviour. They are able to communicate in a way our clients understand and work in a very person centered way. They are firm but fair and always have the clients’ best interests at heart. Karl Thompson. Managing Director, THCS Ltd

Paul Fretwell/ Ursula Watt/Steve Shine