INQUIRY UNDER THE FATAL ACCIDENTS AND INQUIRIES (SCOTLAND) ACT 1976 INTO THE SUDDEN DEATH OF PASQUAL NIALL NORRIS [2009] ScotSC 67 (03 February 2009)

INQUIRY UNDER THE FATAL ACCIDENTS AND INQUIRIES (SCOTLAND) ACT 1976 INTO THE SUDDEN DEATH OF PASQUAL NIALL NORRIS [2009] ScotSC 67 (03 February 2009)

Pasqual Niall Norris died from systemic bascillis anthracis infection (anthrax) acquired by inhalation of spores from African drums imported from Guinea. There were no reasonable precautions whereby his death might have been avoided, nor any defects in any system of working that contributed to his death. The risk of such infection is extremely remote, and existing regulatory and medical responses were adequate.

Citation
[2009] ScotSC 67
Parties
Deceased: Pasqual Niall Norris; Presiding Officer: Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen QC
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
03 February 2009
Procedural Posture
Fatal Accident Inquiry / Determination
Outcome
Death determined to be from natural causes (systemic anthrax infection); no recommendations for changes to law or practice.
Legal Topics
Anthrax Infection, Importation of Animal Products, Public Health Risk, Medical Causation, Systemic Infection, Inhalation Anthrax, Regulatory Compliance
Public Health Law Coroners and Fatal Accidents Anthrax Infection Importation of Animal Products Public Health Risk Medical Causation Systemic Infection Inhalation Anthrax +1 more

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Parties

Pasqual Niall Norris

Deceased

Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen QC

Presiding Officer

Procedural Posture

Fatal Accident Inquiry / Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Cause of death of Pasqual Niall Norris
  2. 2 Source of anthrax infection
  3. 3 Adequacy of medical treatment

Ratio Decidendi

Pasqual Niall Norris died from systemic bascillis anthracis infection (anthrax) acquired by inhalation of spores from African drums imported from Guinea. There were no reasonable precautions whereby his death might have been avoided, nor any defects in any system of working that contributed to his death. The risk of such infection is extremely remote, and existing regulatory and medical responses were adequate.

Court Disposition

Death determined to be from natural causes (systemic anthrax infection); no recommendations for changes to law or practice.