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Heidi Knight acted for the family of a 44 year old man, Mr Julian Hunter, who suffered a broken nose when he was repeatedly punched during an assault and robbery. A week after the assault Mr Hunter developed a significant nosebleed and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Free Hospital where he died two days after being admitted.
A narrative verdict was returned in which Coroner Andrew Walker found that Mr Hunter had been unlawfully killed and recorded criticisms of the Royal Free Hampstead for not recognising the severity of Mr Hunter's injury.
Mr Walker said the Royal Free contributed to Mr Hunter's death by providing "inadequate" treatment. Dr Robert Chapman, who conducted the post-mortem examination, told the inquest at North London Coroner's Court the fatal nose bleed was a significant factor in the cardiac arrest which caused Mr Hunter's death. Nose and throat surgeon Dr Maurice Hawthorne described the medical care as "sub-standard" and said Mr Hunter's death was "avoidable". He said hourly monitoring and preparations for a blood transfusion would probably have saved Mr Hunter's life.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24014061-unlawful-killing-verdict-for-londoner-who-died-of-nosebleed-one-week-after-assault.do
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15876841
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