What is necessary to prove that someone died because of abuse or negligence?
The best way to prove the cause of death in a court of law is to order an autopsy. While it is possible to win a case without an autopsy, it will be extremely difficult to prove most cases if one is not performed. Even if you believe you know the cause of death, autopsies provide valuable information to aid in the lawsuit in addition to providing answers to family members about the circumstances surrounding a wrongful death. It is best if the autopsy is performed at a location other than the hospital where the questionable medical care was received. If you can absorb the expense, consider having the autopsy performed at a university medical center. Be sure to request for the doctors involved in the care and treatment of the patient to NOT be allowed to be present during the autopsy and for the medical examiner/pathologist/toxicologist involved in the autopsy to NOT communicate with the treating doctors about what is discovered during the procedure. Generally, it will take a couple of m
