Death Cerificate Question

Death Cerificate Question (Full Version)

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maybemaybenot -> Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 6:39:35 AM)
My Dad passed away a few weeks ago as the result of a house fire, ruled an accidental death by the Medical Examiner. Yesterday, I had to take copies of the Death Cert. to Social Security. In doing so I noticed the Cerificate is riddled with errors. I am wondering if I need to do anything to correct it or if it is a matter of " this is what you get". I am not concerned for myself or Mother that it is wrong, I just don't want legal problems down the line. I wouldn't be too concerned except that his accident and death were widely covered by the Boston and Providence and local newspapers and TV stations. My question is, has anyone had a similar experience, does one have to get it corrected, and if so: how do I go about getting it changed. Can this affect his estate, should it be found out that the death certificate is incorrect ? If it helps: the errors are: time of death- off by 12 hours Date of accident- off by 4 days Place of death- it says Emergency Room, but he was in the Trauma ICU for 4 days and died there Significant conditions contributing to death: Burns is primary, they put dementia as contributing condition, but he never had a diagnosis of dementia. Matter of fact, I had him tested in February and he was ruled out for demetia. It says he was in WWII, he was not. Any info or suggestions would be helpful. I did call my Dad's lawyer, but he is out of the country for 2 more weeks. Thanx, mbmbn

sirsholly -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 6:46:01 AM)
the easiest thing to do is to start with the funeral director. He was the one to write/certify the death certificates when my late husband died. Perhaps he can correct it. If not he can certainly point you in the right direction. I am so very sorry for the loss of you dad.

barelynangel -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 6:54:31 AM)
Wow i am sorry for your loss!! As to your questions, If your father's lawyer works in a firm, there is probably someone else who can answer these questions for you in the firm. Also, try sending your dad's lawyer an email -- i have yet to meet an attorney who doesn't on some level maintain connection regarding their clients especially if they are going to be gone a while and two weeks is a long time. When we order death certificates we have to get them from the medical examiner's office and they are usually signed by a medical examiner so i would start there especially if there was an autopsy. Just as a person who likes everything nice and neat, if you have different information in official forms (i.e., med recs) or information that is different of the times etc, i would call the medical examiners office and get a corrected copy. As you said, you don't know what may come up in probate or what not of legalities over the next couple years -- if someone accidently gets a hold of his id and starts using his name -- to me the DATE of death is very important as well as time. I woud say place of death not so important unless you are going into some type of litigation at any time or there may be litigation due to the fire, you want everything to match up as accurately as possible, especially cause of death and what did or did not contribute. If some type of litigation popped up that cause of death many times does have a impact upon causation etc in the case. Just for peace of mind -- i would if you have inaccuracies, bring it to the attention of the medical examiner's office and ask for proof as to how they came to those answers and ask for corrections when applicable. They may know something based on autopsy you or even the doctors were not aware of. You never know what may pop up a year from now needing accurate info on a death certificate, so if you can get it changed to correct infornation, i would. angel

Irishknight -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 6:57:40 AM)
First, my heart goes out to you on your loss. As for your question, I would have the corrections made for future generations if for no other reason. You father's story deserves to be told accurately when a family member asks in future years about the man you knew and loved. When you are no longer there to tell the story, papers such as that certificate will be the things that go with the stories people tell. I guess that is just my opinion as a man obsessed with history.

KatyLied -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 7:10:15 AM)
mbmbn - I am sorry for your loss.

outlier -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 7:17:10 AM)
From my experience dealing with a similar situation. Nobody likes to deal wih and/or admit mistakes so I would do the following. I would put your concerns in writing similar to the way you have here. And then I would mail a very polite request for correction to the medical examiner and cc the lawyer. I would mail it return receipt. That way it cannot be "lost" or forgotten. Don't pick any fights. Just a simple polite request on the record. Outlier

Musicmystery -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 7:20:17 AM)
I too am sorry to hear of your loss. As for the legal question--a quick call to your attorney should answer the question, probably even for free.

ShaharThorne -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 8:36:19 AM)
My heart goes out for your loss. When my father died a couple of years ago, there was errors on his certificate as well. I don't know what my mother did, but she got it straighten out to accidental death (he drowned while fishing), which is what the JP ruled.

DomKen -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 9:49:02 AM)
I would check with the insurance company. Those sorts of details could complicate receiving the life insurance benfit, assuming he had such. I'd also go have a talk with the funeral director or hospital morgue that filled out the form. My sympathies as well.

Arpig -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 9:54:32 AM)
The certificate was issued by somebody, hospital, funeral director, Coroner. That person's name and title should appear on the certificate, and that is who you should contact.

snappykappy -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 9:58:35 AM)
u r in my thoughts and prayers and tyvm for bringing up this topic as my father passed away on palm sunday so when i talk with my mother this weekend i will ask her

maybemaybenot -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 10:09:27 AM)
Thank you all ! I wanted to speak with one of the lawyers partner's, but my Mother wants to deal directly with their wn lawyer. it's a generational thing, ya know. lol. I will write a letter to the Medical Examiner, whose signiture is on the Death Cert., as a starting place, and have emailed the Funeral Director this AM. I don't really anticipate any legal problems as everything resorts to my Mother, until her death and there is no insurance policy to deal with. Thank goodness. Also, we declined an autopsy. I would like it corrected. Mostly because, as IrishKnight said.. for the history portion of it. My Dad and his Uncle started the whole family geneology/family tree thing back in the 50's and were meticulous record keepers. My cousins and nephew are going to carry that on in their place. While it doesn't matter to me personally what it says, I think my Father would want the record to be accurate. Thanx again for the advice and condolences. mbmbn

CatdeMedici -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 12:50:39 PM)
Funeral Directors fill in info provided by the hospital---start with the Medical records dept of the hospital, or the attending physician. Hugs mbmn.

windchymes -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 4:11:03 PM)
I'm so sorry for your loss, mbmbn. My gut feeling is that it might be best to make sure all the information on the certificate is correct "just in case". Seems like in the world today, something, who knows what, might pop up someday and the mis-information might be used as a loophole for something. I'm not sure of the best way of how to do it, though, but his lawyer is probably as good a place to start as any.

PanthersMom -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 4:14:30 PM)
i agree with most folks here, it should have been correct to begin with, but get it straightened out asap. any problems in getting it corrected should be addressed by contacting the local media. i'm sure they'd love to get wind of something like this, obvious incompetence and dereliction of duties by public officials, medical personnel and the records staff. PM

LotusSong -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 4:20:12 PM)
Go back to the initial source you contacted and have them double check what they sent you along with the account like you posted here. There are waaaaaaaaay too many errors.

sophia37 -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 5:02:45 PM)
I'll disagree with the other posters. What you said were errors, were really no big deal. Now. Had you said name date of birth and SS number were wrong, then THAT, would make me say go fix it. But a time difference of hours, a minor place difference and a war record that gives him as a WW 2 vet,... I dont see these as big deals. I've dealt with both my parents death certs. So I can tell you that what you said, would make no difference to me, or their will or say benefits, or anything. Don't sweat it.

LookieNoNookie -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/6/2009 6:06:37 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: maybemaybenot My Dad passed away a few weeks ago as the result of a house fire, ruled an accidental death by the Medical Examiner. Yesterday, I had to take copies of the Death Cert. to Social Security. In doing so I noticed the Cerificate is riddled with errors. I am wondering if I need to do anything to correct it or if it is a matter of " this is what you get". I am not concerned for myself or Mother that it is wrong, I just don't want legal problems down the line. I wouldn't be too concerned except that his accident and death were widely covered by the Boston and Providence and local newspapers and TV stations. My question is, has anyone had a similar experience, does one have to get it corrected, and if so: how do I go about getting it changed. Can this affect his estate, should it be found out that the death certificate is incorrect ? If it helps: the errors are: time of death- off by 12 hours Date of accident- off by 4 days Place of death- it says Emergency Room, but he was in the Trauma ICU for 4 days and died there Significant conditions contributing to death: Burns is primary, they put dementia as contributing condition, but he never had a diagnosis of dementia. Matter of fact, I had him tested in February and he was ruled out for demetia. It says he was in WWII, he was not. Any info or suggestions would be helpful. I did call my Dad's lawyer, but he is out of the country for 2 more weeks. Thanx, mbmbn Don't know....so incredibly sorry.... If I could suggest....just take a breather. You have a significant weight on your shoulders at the moment....take a breather. Honest. Feel free to write.

Naturallurker -> RE: Death Cerificate Question (6/7/2009 1:38:43 AM)
When my daughter died the registrar for deaths would not accept the death certificate due to the Dr placing against one of the causes a small ? My own experience was that I had to return to the hospital where she died and have the Dr who wrote it out correct that. A death certificate being a legal document, you are quite right in wanting it to be correct. Good luck with all the awful red tape and deep condolences for your loss.

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