Failure To Prevent Suicide Claims

Any suicide is a tragedy but it’s particularly hard for the family and friends left behind when it could have been prevented. If you have lost a loved one due to substandard mental health care, we may be able to help you make a claim and support you through the inquest process.

Healthcare providers have a responsibility to protect life whenever possible. There are a number of failings that can lead to a preventable suicide, including:

Incorrect diagnosis of mental health illnesses
Failure to identify and react to suicide risk factors, signs of distress or requests for help
Failure to make appropriate referrals or supervision arrangements for an at-risk individual
Allowing a patient access to dangerous materials, objects or drugs
Incorrectly discharging patients from hospital
Failure to ensure appropriate treatment or medication
Failure to prepare adequate care plans or safeguarding after treatment
Failure to communicate with the patient’s family
Shortages of beds in inpatient settings

These failings can take place at different times within the treatment process or may prevent treatment from beginning at all. They can happen to voluntary and involuntary mental health patients; people without formal mental health diagnoses; or people receiving community care.

Our expert medical negligence solicitors will investigate how and why your loved one’s suicide was allowed to take place in order to bring a claim against those responsible. We will work to secure an apology for their mistreatment and get you the compensation you deserve to cover any costs you have faced. We can represent you at inquests and campaign to bring about changes to ensure better care in the future.

We have extensive experience with preventable suicide and attempted suicide claims and will treat your case with the utmost sensitivity and discretion throughout. We know that every situation is different, and we will work tirelessly to achieve the specific outcome that you want.

For a free initial consultation about making a claim, call us today on 0800 121 6567 or contact us online and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Failure To Prevent Suicide Claims - More Information

They were always there to answer my questions and queries when I was at my most vulnerable and they persevered to obtain the best possible result."

Lisa, client

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Represent Me At An Inquest?

If your loved one died in unusual or unclear circumstances, their death will be reported to a coroner who may decide to hold an inquest. By holding an inquest, the facts behind the death can be established.

Sometimes evidence comes to light during the inquest that your loved one may have died as a result of negligent medical treatment. If this is the case, we could help you make a compensation claim and will do everything we can to get you a settlement that could provide security for you and your family.

If you would like our experts to represent you at an inquest, you must contact us as soon as you can so we have time to assemble medical records and other evidence to put us in the strongest position to help.

To find out more about how we can help you at an inquest, contact us on 0800 121 6567.

Who Can Make A Claim?

If your loved one died because of sub-standard mental health care, we could help you claim compensation to support you at this difficult time. We can help you with making a claim if you’re the dependent of the person who died, which can be one of the following relations:

Husband/wife
Former spouse (married for at least two years)
Children
Parents
Cohabitee of over two years (living together without being married )

To make a claim you’ll usually have three years from the date of the negligent treatment or surgery, but if the negligence wasn’t discovered until inquest, you’ll have three years from that point to claim. For more information on timings, contact us free on 0800 121 6567.

Why Should I Chose Irwin Mitchell For My Claim?

We have significant experience with representing families in these tragic circumstances. Our solicitors have successfully concluded many cases and frequently appear in the press and media to discuss failings leading to avoidable suicides.

We will handle your case thoughtfully, compassionately, and discreetly. Our support and rehabilitation coordinators are on hand to support you throughout the claims process, and will keep you informed of the latest progress from start to finish.

Our lawyers understand that that compensation is only part of the story. We will work to get you complete answers about what happened and why. We will pursue an apology for any mistakes that were made and help ensure that changes take place to prevent these failings from happening again.

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Failure To Prevent Suicide Claims

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Failure To Prevent Suicide Claims - More Information

What Will Happen When I Make A Claim?

What Can Compensation Pay For?

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Can I Make A No Win No Fee* Claim?

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