Negligence Claim Against Hospital Fails

Chronicle (Levin), 16 March 1948, Page 7

Negligence Claim Against Hospital Fails

Press Association J

(Per

AUCKLAND, Marcn 15. A claim for -damagos arising out of Ihe alleged negligence of the Auckland hospital failed before Mr. Justice Fait and a special jury of 12 in the Supreme Court. Plairitifl! was Margaret Doreen Allen (Mr, Dickson) and defendant the Auckland' Hospital Board (Mr. G. S. K. Meredith"). Tlie amounts clairned were £300 general damages and £44G special damages. Plaintiff told how she injured .the back of her left liand wlien s)ie fell qu a gfavel footpath • at Birkenhead m Septeinber, 1945. She was treated in. the casualty department of the Auckland hospital where she saw a doctoT and had the wound cleaned and stitched by a nurse. Later a, general practitioner whom she consulted removed tlie stitches and took a quantity of pus and solue black spocks pf gravel out of thi' wound. As the, result of prolonged in jury to her liand plaintiff maintained she could not look after the portrail studio which she rau properly. Medical evidence was producqd b\ [ilaintiff 'to show that she had not rec.eived proper care and attention at the hospiial. This evidence was dispfitefl by defendant which broug'ht medica witnesses to prove that the norma! medical procedure had been followed bj the staff of the hospital. After a short retirement the jurv. found in favour of defendant board and his Honour entered judgment accord ingly. . "