The distraught son of a pensioner who died after a

The distraught son of a pensioner who died after a fall at a local chiropody clinic today (wed) warned he may sue the London health authority responsible.

Patrick O’Donnell, is considering taking Parkside NHS Trust to court after a verdict of accidental death was recorded at Westminster Coroners’ Court.

He spoke of his relief at the verdict after a battle to prove his 86-year-old father died as a result of the fall.

‘I have received no apology from Parkside and because of the coroner’s verdict I am now considering further action,’ he added.

Coroner, Dr Paul Knapman, heard that his father, also Patrick O’Donnell (corr), was born in County Clare, Eire.

He lived with his elderly wife in Scott Ellis Gardens, St John’s Wood, northwest London.

‘He had always been a fit and healthy man but in the last 10 years had gone slightly down hill.

‘He went regularly to a chiropody clinic and was picked up by ambulance,’ Mr O’Donnell told the court.

He explained how his father set off as usual on December 28, last year to the Linnet House Clinic in Chalbert Street, St John’s Wood.

‘It wasn’t until my mother received a call from the clinic that we realised what had happened and how my father had been taken to hospital.

‘I was told he had had a fall.

When I asked my father later that day if he could remember what happened he told me.

‘He was walking through the clinic when he tripped on some lino that was sticking up.

‘He remembered falling forward and reaching out his arms to stop himself but he failed to reach the wall and fell over.

‘He recalled lying on the floor screaming in agony,’ he added.

The coroner was told how Mr O’Donnell had fractured his hip.

‘Later he had to have a hip replacement operation and he never came out of hospital again apart from a brief twenty minute home visit.

‘His health just deteriorated after the fall until he finally died in October this year,’ his son added.

John Welsh, an estates officer for Parkwood NHS Trust, said that they had been unaware that there was anything wrong with the floor of the clinic.

‘We checked afterwards and we admit their was a small piece sticking up.

‘The area is constantly checked and if anything had been noticed it would have been noted and dealt with.

‘It could have been the case that it happened seconds before knocked by someone else.

‘If you or I had walked by we probably wouldn’t have noticed it.

‘But an elderly man shuffling across the floor is more likely to trip,’ he added.

Pathologist Dr Iain West, said Mr O’Donnell had a severe heart condition and this was the ultimate cause of his death.

‘But I cannot rule out that the fall may have had a severe affect on his life and may have ultimately lead to his death,’ he explained.

Dr Knapman said after listening to all the evidence he had decided to record a verdict of accidental death.

‘The fall played a significant part in his death although I do accept the deceased at the material time was not a well man,’ he concluded.

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