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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 102Pt. 1Ch. 6Art. 3§ 102850 Coroner Notification Requirements

§ 102850 Coroner Notification Requirements

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 102850 Coroner Notification Requirements

This law says doctors, surgeons, physician assistants, funeral directors, and similar people must tell the coroner right away when they know about a death that fits certain situations.

Key Takeaways

  • •Doctors, surgeons, physician assistants, funeral directors, and others must notify the coroner right away.
  • •They must do this if the death happened without a doctor present, the attending doctor is gone, the cause of death is unknown, suicide is suspected, the death follows an injury or accident, or a crime might be involved.
  • •Not calling the coroner when required is a misdemeanor (a minor crime).

Example

A doctor goes to a patient's home and finds the person dead with no doctor present and no clear cause of death.

Because the death happened without medical attendance and the doctor can't say why the person died, the doctor must call the coroner immediately.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 102850 Coroner Notification Requirements

A physician and surgeon, physician assistant, funeral director, or other person shall immediately notify the coroner when he or she has knowledge of a death that occurred or has charge of a body in which death occurred under any of the following circumstances: (a)  Without medical attendance. (b)  During the continued absence of the attending physician and surgeon. (c)  Where the attending physician and surgeon or the physician assistant is unable to state the cause of death. (d)  Where suicide is suspected. (e)  Following an injury or an accident. (f)  Under circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the death was caused by the criminal act of another. Any person who does not notify the coroner as required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 1996.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

physician and surgeonphysician assistantfuneral directorcoronermisdemeanor

Related Statutes

  • § 102825 Death Certificate Requirements
  • § 102855 Coroner Death Investigation Duties
  • § 102870 Dental Identification Of Remains
  • § 5461 Sewage Discharge Contamination Penalty
  • § 101868 Corporate Compliance Legal Actions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 102850.
View Official Source