Queen v HM Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull

(1997) 8 Med LR 362

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION

and Mr Justice KAY

Inquest — Coroner — Summing up — Death occurred in course of medical treatment — Child with potentially life-threatening condition Attempts to treat him failing to prevent his death — Treatment bringing about death by causing tear to lung that in turn caused pneumothorax that resulted in death — Jury verdict that child died through natural causes — Effect of summing up withdrawing from jury possibility of any other verdict — Whether jury's verdict should be quashed — Whether court should substitute alternative cause of death