Burrett, Inquiry Held Under Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland)Act 1976 [2002] ScotSC 72 (25th February, 2002)

Burrett, Inquiry Held Under Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland)Act 1976 [2002] ScotSC 72 (25th February, 2002)

Caroline Burrett died from multi-organ failure secondary to necrotising fasciitis and toxin-producing organisms, specifically clostridium novyi, following intravenous drug use. There was no evidence of any precaution or defect in a system of work that could have avoided her death.

Citation
[2002] ScotSC 72
Parties
Deceased: Caroline Burrett
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Procedural Posture
Fatal Accident Inquiry / Determination
Outcome
Death determined to be from natural causes related to drug use and infection; no recommendations or findings of fault.
Legal Topics
Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (scotland) Act 1976, Drug Related Deaths, Medical Causation
Coronial Law Public Health Law Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (scotland) Act 1976 Drug Related Deaths Medical Causation

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Parties

Caroline Burrett

Deceased

Procedural Posture

Fatal Accident Inquiry / Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Cause of death of Caroline Burrett
  2. 2 Whether precautions could have prevented the death
  3. 3 Whether death was due to a defect in a system of work

Ratio Decidendi

Caroline Burrett died from multi-organ failure secondary to necrotising fasciitis and toxin-producing organisms, specifically clostridium novyi, following intravenous drug use. There was no evidence of any precaution or defect in a system of work that could have avoided her death.

Court Disposition

Death determined to be from natural causes related to drug use and infection; no recommendations or findings of fault.