Ritchie v Chichester Health Authority

(1994) 5 Med LR 187

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION

Honour Judge ANTHONY, and THOMPSON QC

Professional liability — Obstetrics — Epidural — Mother in labour undergoing epidural — Severe pain experienced in legs and bottom — Patient suffering total permanent paralysis in the saddle area, double incontinence and loss of vaginal sensation — Allegation by patient that her injuries were caused by injection of toxic substance — Contention by defendants that cause was either fibrocartilaginous embolus which occluded anterior spinal artery and blocked blood supply to conus medullaris or sudden and spontaneous interruption of blood supply to lower end of spinal cord or cauda equina — Whether penetration of dura had been established