QUESTION
Is suicide without a note considered as an accident?
Asked on Sep 06th, 2013 on Personal Injury - South Carolina
More details to this question:
I am a forensic major and my fiancé is a life insurance manager. We are in an Argument because I was taught that a suicide without a note is classified as an accident by the medical examiner. Is this true even if the circumstances are consistent with suicide? I.e. body found with gunshot to the head with pistol in hand and all evidence is consistent with suicide.
4 ANSWERS
Alexis Anne Plunkett
No, a suicide can be classified as such without a suicide note. A suicide death will not automatically be classified as undetermined or as an accident just because the person did not leave a note.
Answered on Sep 26th, 2013 at 5:19 AM
Ronald A. Steinberg
The final diagnosis cannot be made until all the evidence is examined.
Answered on Sep 09th, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Charlotte, NC
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Paul Whitfield and Associates P.A.
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I believe a suicide is a suicide. Look it up in Websters.
Answered on Sep 09th, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Anderson, SC
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The David F. Stoddard Law Firm
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I cannot answer how a medical examiner classifies such a death. This is a question for a medical examiner. However, suicide is not an accident. Legally, a life insurer can deny a claim based on its investigation regardless of how a medical examiner classifies it. The beneficiary on the policy can challenge the insurer?s decision in court and the court will ultimately decide it is an accident or suicide. Lack of a note would not be dispositive, but would be one fact taken into consideration with all of the other facts.
Answered on Sep 09th, 2013 at 9:19 AM