BURNT BY HOT BOTTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 277, 23 November 1927, Page 11

BURNT BY HOT BOTTLE.

WOMAN IN PRIVATE HOSPITAL

GOLF NOT SO GOOD SINCE.

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FAILS

Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, this day.

Joan Catherine O'Connell sued Dr. William Arthur Anderson and Elizabeth Thomson in the Supreme Court for £750 damages for alleged negligence in burning her foot with a hot water bottle while she was under an anaesthetic in a private hospital in Queenstown. The action was against the doctor, who was the surgeon conducting the operation, and against the owner of the maternity hospital at which it was performed.

Plaintiff said in evidence that when she came to after an operation she heard Nurse Thomson speaking angrily to the doctor for allowing such a thing to happen. Nurse Thomson said, "I've been nursing for a number of years, and this is the. first time such a thing has occurred to me." Plaintiff said, "My foot is sore," before relapsing into unconsciousness, and the nurse replied, "Yes, poor dear, you've been burned," or words to that effect.

Plaintiff said that for three weeks she had been unable to walk, and had then used crutches. The injury had affected her sporting activities. She could not ride nor play golf or tennis as she used to.

His Honor: Are you claiming damages for not being able to play golf ?

Counsel: No, your Honor, but to show extent of the injury.

Played Golf Since.

Cross-examined, witness denied that H had been suggested to her by any granger that she should "have a go" at the doctor. She was not prepared to swear that she did not have a dance in She did have a game of golf in January. She had played golf at the end •f May and in June. Mr. A. C. Hanlon (for the defence): I hare some of your cards here, and see that you got round in 50. Not bad, either. The greens are pretty bad at Vjrankton, aren't they?

.Witness: Not now. They were,

r Negligence Not Proved.

Mr. Justice Sim said it was clear that the hot water bag, when brought in, must have been dangerously hot, but it was not brought in for immediate use. It was brought in case it should be required, and was placed in what appeared to be a place of safety in the tad, some distance from patient, and voder a sheet. He could not say that the nurse ought to have anticipated when she put the bag there that the Etient would move down the bed and r feet come in contact with the bottle. Judgment was given for defendants.