Ratcliffe v Plymouth & Torbay HA

[1998] Lloyd's Rep Med 162

COURT OF APPEAL

Lord Justice HOBHOUSE, Lord Justice BROOKE, and Sir John VINELOTT

Res ipsa loquitur — Medical negligence — Applicability — Unexplained neurological defect following general and spinal anaesthetic — Dispute on site of injection of spinal anaesthetic — Expert evidence at trial of possible cause of defect — Whether judge erred in finding that injection was inserted in correct space at chosen level of spine — Whether judge's approach to applicability of res ipsa loquitur doctrine could be faulted