Death by misadventure
In the United Kingdom a death by misadventure, as recorded by coroners and on death certificates and associated documents, is one that is primarily attributed to an accident that occurred due to a risk that was taken voluntarily. In contrast, when a cause of death is listed as an accident rather than a misadventure, this implies no unreasonable willful risk.[1] Misadventure is a legally defined manner of death: a way by which an actual cause of death (trauma, exposure, etc.) was allowed to occur. For example, a death caused by an illicit drug overdose may be ruled a death by misadventure, as the user took the risk of drug usage voluntarily. Misadventure is a form of unnatural death, a category that also includes accident, suicide, and homicide.
References
- Bryant, Clifton D. (2003). Handbook of Death & Dying. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. p. 968. ISBN 978-0-7619-2514-9.