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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

Paul Fretwell has been our solicitor now for 8.5 years and has been dealing with the case for AB (our son) who sustained a head injury in 2012 due to a car accident.

Over the years we have come to rely on Paul’s expert opinion and knowledge of brain injuries to help us understand A’s behaviours and needs.

Paul has been a massive support to us and our whole family since A sustained life changing injuries, as you can imagine, it has been an uphill battle for us and we had no idea or understanding of the challenges to come or how to even start to put in place all the support A needed and still needs today.

A now has his Support Worker, D that Paul put in place, which to be honest, has been a godsend to the family and A. A has a great relationship with D, and we will be eternally grateful. D helps A with day to day challenges that most people take for granted and A now feels D is a friend as well as his mentor and “life coach”. A also has an OT that visits his home to check he is doing ok and guide him in day to day tasks etc.

Paul has always been a phone call away at any time, he is very patient and understanding, his friendly approach to the whole family means we feel we can be very open and frank with him. Although all the legal “jargon” is very hard for us to understand, Paul is and has always been massive support, he explains in detail every word and meaning and why certain steps need to be taken to help A’s case.

We will always be eternally grateful to Paul and George Ide Solicitors.

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

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

It is essential to feel complete confidence in the advice given and the person of one’s solicitor. I have experienced situations in the past where this has not been the case. When seeking a reliable practice some years ago I asked for a recommendation from a neighbour and was given the name of Mr Ian Oliver. I followed this advice, have used this practice ever since and have recommended it to others with complete confidence. It is very reassuring to be in this position.

C Elderfield, Arundel

Ian Oliver

Thank you for looking after me and my case. Not just a solicitor, you were a supporter and friend from the off. I felt that you ‘got’ me and understood where I was coming from. The very unexpected payout takes a lot of worries away, thank you.

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

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.
We hope that you can convey our thanks to them on our behalf. The background people are often overlooked, but we feel that we had the best team available playing for us on all levels.

Paul Fretwell

I suffered a complex ankle injury in a road traffic accident in 2015, Paul Fretwell and the team at George Ide stepped in to manage my claim and helped me through a very challenging period in my life. The team’s experience with this type of injury, their considered approach and meticulous attention to detail enabled them to flag up any potential issues early on, and ensured there were no surprises along the way. Paul was able to see beyond the conventional claim headings, and took the time to understand the full impact of the injury, on my life and hobbies, and was keen to ensure they were all suitably reflected within the claim. Three years on, we went into a Joint Settlement Meeting with a robust and well prepared case, allowing us to secure a claim that significantly exceeded our expectations. I would not have a moment’s hesitation in recommending him to anyone in a similar situation.

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

George Ide looked after my claim from accident to the case conclusion, they took care of everything on route which concluded in a very substantial out of court settlement. The settlement enabled the family not to worry about future employment problems, and gives everyone piece of mind.
George Ide are a very professional company, and I would always recommend them to other people in the same situation.
M

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