An autopsy is a medical procedure that is performed to determine the cause of death of a person. It is also known as a post-mortem examination. The autopsy involves an examination of the body of the deceased and can be conducted by a medical examiner, coroner, or pathologist.
The autopsy report will generally include the following information:
- The cause of death
- The manner of death (natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined)
- The time and date of death
- The location of the body when found
- A description of the body and any injuries present
- An account of the autopsy procedure
- Any relevant laboratory results
The autopsy report is a legal document and can be used as evidence in a court of law.
Autopsies are generally performed when the cause of death is unknown or when the death is suspicious. In some cases, an autopsy may be required by law. For example, in the United States, an autopsy must be performed if the cause of death is not apparent and the death occurred in a hospital.
Limitations of Autopsies
There are some limitations to an autopsy. For example, autopsies can usually only be performed after a person dies, which means that the cause of death can’t be determined if the person died suddenly.
Because of this, death certificates may not be issued immediately unless there is sufficient information from witnesses or family members. Additionally, an autopsy can’t determine the cause of death for fetuses and newborns.
However, it can reveal if the death was normal or if there was an issue that may have contributed to the death. Autopsies can also reveal if there was any external force that contributed to the death, like suicide or a car accident.
The Benefits of Autopsies
Autopsies can provide answers in cases where death was sudden and unexpected. They can also reveal health issues such as illnesses and diseases that may have caused the person’s death. It can also reveal if there were any issues with the deceased’s health that may have contributed to the death.
The information gleaned from an autopsy can help the deceased’s family understand the circumstances surrounding the death. It can also help the medical community better understand the causes of death and how to prevent them.
What Happens During an Autopsy?
Autopsies are performed by specially trained doctors called pathologists. The first step of the autopsy is to remove the clothes of the deceased. The clothes are examined for any stains or tears that could be relevant to the cause of death. The body is then weighed and measured.
The next step is to open up the body cavity. The chest and abdomen are incised with a Y-shaped incision. The organs are then removed, weighed, and examined. A pathologist will also look for any abnormalities in the organs, such as tumors.
The brain is usually the last organ to be removed. It is carefully removed from the skull and cut into sections so that it can be examined.
After all the organs have been removed and examined, the body cavity is sewn up, and the body is ready for burial or cremation.
Why Do Autopsies Happen?
Autopsies are conducted for a variety of reasons. In some cases, an autopsy is performed to determine the cause of death, especially if the death was sudden or unexpected. An autopsy can also be used to rule out foul play or help solve a crime.
In other cases, an autopsy may be done to determine whether a disease was present and to learn more about how it progressed.
When Are Autopsies Performed?
Most autopsies are performed at the request of the next of kin. In some cases, however, an autopsy is ordered by a coroner or medical examiner. Coroners and medical examiners are usually required to order an autopsy when the cause of death is unknown or when foul play is suspected.
Who Absorbs the Cost?
The cost of an autopsy is usually borne by the party requesting it. In some cases, however, the cost may be covered by insurance. You should check with your insurance provider to see if an autopsy is covered in the event of a death in the family.
You may also want to speak with your attorney to see if an autopsy is advisable in your particular situation.
Who Can Get the Results?
The results of an autopsy are typically available to the next of kin, the party responsible for ordering the autopsy, and the attending physician. In some cases, the results may also be available to other parties, such as lawyers representing either side in a potential lawsuit.
Do Personal Injury Lawyers Ever Order Autopsies?
Since autopsies can be ordered by either the deceased’s next of kin or the party legally responsible, some personal injury lawyers will order them in cases where they believe there is foul play or potential for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Why Would a Personal Injury Lawyer Order an Autopsy?
There are several reasons why a personal injury lawyer would want to order an autopsy. One reason is to determine the cause of death. This information can be helpful in building a case for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Another reason is to look for evidence of foul play. This could include things like drugs in the system or injuries that were not caused by accident. If there is evidence of foul play, it could mean that the other party is liable for the death, which would make them responsible for any damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Finally, an autopsy can also be helpful in determining the value of a personal injury claim. This is because the autopsy report can provide a detailed document that records the extent of the injuries and how they contributed to the death. This information can be used to help calculate damages in a personal injury case.
Conclusion
Autopsies can be a useful tool for families and personal injury lawyers—they can help to determine the cause of death, look for evidence of foul play, and document the extent of injuries.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer to see if an autopsy is right for your case. We invite you to contact TorkLaw today for a free evaluation.
