Alleged hospitals errors killed man; MEDICS: Wife to take legal action after the death of dad following an assault.

Byline: Alison Dayani

THE grieving wife of a Midland plasterer who died within 48 hours of being attacked outside a nightclub is suing two hospitals over alleged blunders she claims led to his death.

Catherine Williams, of Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, said she was fighting for justice over the death of her 22-year-old husband Simon at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The father-of-one, who had a seven-year-old daughter Shannon, was assaulted in the early hours of August 26, 2006, after an Elvis tribute event at JB's nightspot in Castle Hill, Dudley.

He was first taken by ambulance to Russells Hall A& E, in Dudley.

But Mrs Williams' legal action alleges medics did not make the appropriate diagnosis, give immediate treatment or refer her husband to the Queen Elizabeth quickly enough.

She also accuses doctors and nurses at the QE of not seeing Mr Williams quickly enough, which resulted in his death the following night.

Mrs Williams' solicitor, Tom Cook, of law firm Kester Cunningham John, said: "Simon was assaulted outside a nightclub and knocked unconscious.

"There followed a catalogue of errors and delays in moni-toringdiagnosis and treatment.

Records show Simon's first CT scan was not undertaken until more than seven hours after he arrived at A& E, whereas this should have been done within an hour and he should have been transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital within three hours.

"Our experts claim earlier diagnosis and specialist treatment before undue pressure built up on Simon's brain would probably have resulted in his condition being managed with medication rather than requiring immediate surgery."

Gareth Duggan and Mandy Green, representing the hospitals, said: "We are currently investigating a claim brought on behalf of the estate of Mr Simon Williams, regarding his treatment at Russells Hall and Queen Elizabeth following an assault.

"Both Trusts send their sincere condolences to the family."

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Tributes: Flowers are left near JB's nightspot in Dudley, in memory of Simon Williams, inset.