A woman whose only child died during minor surgery in Tauranga Hospital 4 1/2 years ago is pursuing civil action against the hospital.
Jacquelyn Thorne's son, Benjamin, aged 13, died on November 2, 1996, while having a ponga spike taken from an infected knee under a general anaesthetic. He developed breathing problems and suffered brain damage from a lack of oxygen.
The anaesthetist, Dr Margaret Hugel, 62, was tried for manslaughter in March 1998 and acquitted. At a September 1999 inquest Jacquelyn Thorne, who had raised Ben alone, sought answers on why he died.
A settlement conference is set down for today in the High Court at Rotorua.
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