Daniel Walker

Daniel has significant experience acting in Inquests for Interested Persons as sole counsel, including in lengthy Article 2 jury Inquests considering alleged systemic failure held over several weeks.

Daniel has acted for a wide range of Interested Persons, including NHS Trusts, private Healthcare providers, Companies, Government departments and Regulators.

Daniel’s experience includes acting in matters ranging from deaths in custody, psychiatric units, hospitals, care homes and in the workplace. Daniel has particular expertise in cases alleging healthcare failings.

Featured Inquests cases

Inquest touching upon the death of ST (2025)

Daniel acted for an NHS Ambulance Trust in a three-week Inquest concerning the death of a 32 year old man suffering from Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Acute Behavioural Disturbance who had been restrained by members of the public and police. The Inquest considered the adequacy of the emergency response and whether delay was causative of ST’s death. The Coroner concluded that delays in the emergency response were not causative of ST’s death.

Inquest touching upon the death of KLJ (2025)

Daniel acted for National Highways in a four day Inquest concerning the death of a roadworker on a smart motorway upgrade project. The Inquest considered the adequacy of the safe systems of work that was in place and the division of responsibility between National Highways, principal contractors and sub-contractors. The Coroner did not find any act/omission on behalf of National Highways or any of the contractors as causative of KLJ’s death.

Inquest touching upon the death of TS (2025)

Daniel acted for an NHS Trust in a three day Inquest concerning the death of a patient following his self-discharge from A&E. On arrival at A&E, TS disclosed suicidal thoughts and was assessed to be suffering from acute alcohol withdrawal which led to him suffering seizures. TS had fluctuating capacity and for a significant period of time prior to his discharge he was assessed as not having capacity. TS self-discharged and walked on to the M4 where he was struck by a car and died. The Trust’s investigation found there to be significant failures in the care provided. Following submissions, the Coroner did not find any act/omission on behalf of the Trust as causative of TS’s death.

Inquest touching upon the death of DB (2025)

Daniel acted for a private healthcare provider in a four day jury inquest concerning the death of a prisoner found ligatured in his cell. The Inquest considered the adequacy of mental health care provided within the prison, with particular focus on the psychiatric assessments. No adverse findings were made against the healthcare provider.

Inquest touching upon the death of BD (2025)

Daniel acted for an NHS Trust in a four day jury Inquest concerning the death of a prisoner. BD was found ligatured in the laundry room. The Inquest considered the adequacy of the mental health care provided by primary care services. No adverse findings were made against the Trust.

Inquest touching upon the death of FH (2025)

Daniel acted for two NHS Trusts in a two-week jury inquest concerning the death of an 87 year old prisoner suffering from dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Inquest involved eight Interested Persons and considered a wide-range of issues, including the adequacy of healthcare provision for COPD and dementia within prison, the interplay between primary and secondary healthcare services, the interplay between public and private healthcare providers, and the commissioning of specialist services. The Court called four independent expert witnesses. No adverse findings were made against either NHS Trust Daniel acted for.

Inquest touching upon the death of AC (2025)

Daniel acted for a Company in a four day inquest concerning the death of an employee at work. AC, a chemical services operator, attended work and entered the caustic soda room on site. He suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital the following day. The Inquest considered whether AC was exposed to hydrogen sulphide (H2S) whilst at work and, if so, whether that caused AC’s death. The Inquest called evidence from multiple expert witnesses on technical scientific, toxicological and pathological evidence, including the HSE gas exposure expert. On the evidence, the Court was not able to determine the level of H2S gas that AC was exposed to or how long. Further, the Coroner was not able to disentangle the impact AC’s underlying health had on his death and found that both his underlying health issues and indeterminate gas exposure were causative.

Inquest touching upon the death of SLE (2025)

Daniel acted for an NHS Trust in a two-week jury inquest concerning the death of a prisoner who was found ligatured in his cell. On police arrest, SLE was ‘sectioned’ for assessment at a psychiatric hospital. Following assessment by a psychiatrist, SLE was not assessed to be suffering from a serious mental illness and released back into police custody. Whilst on remand in prison, SLE was further assessed and a working diagnosis of bipolar disorder was made. The Inquest considered the adequacy of mental health provision within prison and whether this caused or contributed to SLE’s death. No adverse findings were made against the Trust.

Inquest touching upon the death of JOD (2024)

Daniel acted for an NHS Trust in a two-week jury inquest concerning the death of a prisoner who was found ligatured in his cell. The Inquest considered whether JOD should have been on an ACCT and whether risk information was appropriately shared and acted upon by the police, prison, probation service and healthcare staff. No adverse findings were made against the Trust.

Inquest touching upon the death of PW (2024)

Daniel acted for an NHS Trust in a two day inquest concerning the death of a voluntary psychiatric patient. Following a period of detention under the Mental Health Act 1983, PW was voluntarily under the care of a psychiatric hospital. PW was assessed be at a high risk of suicide. Although under observations, PW was permitted to leave the unit unsupervised. On the day of his death, PW left the unit, went to his home address, and stabbed himself to death. The Trust’s investigation found a number of failings in care. Following submissions, the Coroner concluded that none of the failings caused or contributed to PW’s death.

Inquest touching upon the death of RN (2024)

Daniel acted for an NHS Trust in a seven day jury inquest concerning the death of a prisoner. Whilst in custody, RN was assessed to have resided for a period of time in “inhumane living conditions” and had been placed on an ACCT on two separate occasions owing to his risk of self-harm and/or suicide. The Inquest considered the adequacy of healthcare provision, focusing on psychiatric and psychological care. No adverse findings were made against the Trust.

Inquest touching upon the death of RH (2024)

Daniel acted for an NHS Trust in a two week jury inquest concerning the death of a prisoner. RH was found ligatured in his cell. Whilst in police custody, RH stated that he would commit suicide should he be returned to prison. Following consideration of the adequacy of healthcare provision, no adverse findings were made against the Trust.

Inquest touching upon the death of CR (2023)

Daniel acted for the Security Industry Authority in a seven day inquest concerning the death of a patient restrained by security staff in hospital. The Inquest considered the nature of the restraint, the SIA approved training standards and outcomes and whether the restraint was in line with that training. No adverse findings were made against the SIA.