Hospitals sued on husband tragedy

The wife of a Wolverhampton father who died after an attack outside a club is suing two hospitals over alleged errors and delays.

Plasterer Simon Williams was treated at the A&E department of Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Harborne, Birmingham, but died within 48 hours.

His widow, Catherine, who lives with their seven-year-old daughter, Shannon, in Needwood Drive, Lanesfield, today launched the fight on the eve of the third anniversary of his death.

Mr Williams, 22, was knocked unconscious in the assault after an Elvis tribute at JB's nightspot, Castle Hill, Dudley, in August 2006.

He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital where, it is claimed, doctors failed to make the right diagnosis or give the correct initial treatment. Her solicitor Tom Cook accused medics of "a catalogue of errors and delays in monitoring, diagnosis and treatment, ranging from attributing his condition solely to alcohol rather than assault."

"Records show that Simon's first CT scan was not undertaken until more than seven hours after he arrived at A&E whereas this should have been done within an hour and he should have been transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital within three hours," said Mr Cook.

"Our experts claim that earlier diagnosis and specialist treatment before undue pressure built up on Simon's brain would probably have resulted in his condition being managed with medication rather than requiring immediate surgery with the much happier outcome that he would have survived and been restored to a good quality of life with appropriate rehabilitation.

"When brain injuries were eventually identified, Simon was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for specialist treatment. However, we are alleging further errors were made at this stage, in relation to both the speed with which he was seen by a neurosurgeon and the treatment he was given. The eventual, and we believe unnecessary, consequence was that Simon underwent surgery and then died less than 48 hours after he was initially assaulted."

Mr Cook said: "Catherine's aim in bringing this case is twofold. She seeks financial compensation for herself and their daughter."

Both hospital trusts today said they were investigating the claim. A youth, 17, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but the case was dropped through lack of evidence.