In actions or proceedings for the recovery of damages arising from or growing out of injuries caused by the negligence of any person, firm or corporation resulting in the death of any person or for the collection of a policy of insurance, neither the coroner's verdict returned upon the inquisition, nor a copy thereof, shall be admissible as evidence to prove or establish any of the facts in controversy in such action or proceeding.
8-2201.Admissibility of coroner's records.
Article VIII. Evidence · Part 22. Coroner's records · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceBars a coroner's inquest verdict, or a copy of it, from being used as evidence to prove facts in a wrongful-death negligence action or an insurance-policy collection action.
Full Text of 735 ILCS 5/8-2201
Plain-English Summary
In actions to recover damages for injuries caused by someone's negligence that resulted in death, or in actions to collect on an insurance policy, this section keeps the coroner's inquest out of the evidentiary picture. Neither the coroner's verdict returned on the inquisition, nor a copy of it, is admissible to prove or establish any of the facts in controversy in that action.
The rule reflects the different purposes served by a coroner's inquest and a civil trial: the inquest's conclusions don't substitute for evidence developed and tested through the civil case's own procedures, even though the underlying facts of a death may overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of document does this section exclude?
The coroner's verdict returned on the inquisition, or a copy of it.
In what kinds of cases does the exclusion apply?
Actions for damages arising from a death caused by negligence, and actions to collect on an insurance policy.
Can the coroner's verdict be used to prove any fact in controversy in those cases?
No — the section says it "shall not be admissible as evidence to prove or establish any of the facts in controversy."
Does this section cover only the original verdict, or copies too?
Both — it excludes "the coroner's verdict ... nor a copy thereof."
Why would a coroner's verdict come up in a civil case at all?
Because the facts a coroner investigated in connection with a death often overlap with the facts at issue in a related wrongful-death or insurance case, which this section keeps a party from using as a shortcut for proof.
Amendment History
(Source: P.A. 82-280.)
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, published by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois General Assembly / Legislative Reference Bureau. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: coroner's verdict inadmissible illinoiswrongful death coroner report evidence illinoiscoroner inquest civil case illinoiscoroner inquisition evidence exclusion illinois