£700 FOR FINGER

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1934, Page 2

£700 FOR FINGER

HOSPITAL SUPT. TO PAY [per press association.] GISBORNE, November 15. Damages amounting to £7OO were awarded by Mr. Justice Ostler to Brian Pelham Dods, against Doctoi* Richard J. B. Hall, Medical Superintendent of the Cook Hospital, following a claim for £l5OO damages for alleged negligence in the removal of the wrong fingei* during an operation for the amputation of a poisoned finger. The operation was performed by the house surgeon, Doctor’ Russell Thomas, but Justice Ostler held that Hall, as Superintendent, was liable fbr damages. In a reserved decision dealing with the quantum damages only, the Judge said he had taken into consideration the fact that while the loss of one finger would not reduce plaintiff’s earning capacity, the loss of two would render him incapable of carrying on a calling at which he had a reasonable prospect of earning large wages. The loss suffered therefore was considerable, and the damages must be stantial. \ ■