Family Represented By Bristol Clinical Negligence Team

The family of a Somerset teenager, who died following an asthma attack, are calling for an inquest to be opened to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

13-year-old Joshua Cox from Bridgwater collapsed at a friend’s home on 29th October 2009 and was rushed to Yeovil District Hospital where medics had to resuscitate him.

 He was transferred to the hospital’s ITU ward but sadly, two days later, on 31st October 2009, doctors confirmed that Joshua was brain dead and told his heartbroken parents, Lyn and Mark, that there was no option but to switch off his life support.

No post mortem or inquest was held at the time, but his parents have since discovered that in February this year, a confidential meeting was held involving GPs, consultants from Bristol Children’s Hospital and teaching staff from his school.
 
Julie Lewis, a medical law expert with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, who is representing the family, commented: “Mr and Mrs Cox are very angry that, as Joshua’s next of kin, they were neither invited to attend the meeting nor provided with minutes of what was discussed.

“Understandably, they have found it incredibly hard to come to terms with Joshua’s death.

“We are in the very early stages of investigating what happened to Joshua but there are a number of unanswered questions, in particular regarding the management of his asthma condition and GP care in the two months prior to his death.

“On behalf of the family, I have written to H.M Coroner for West Somerset, asking for him to open an inquest to investigate Joshua’s sudden and unexpected death.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mum, Lyn Cox, said: “Joshua was well known in the local community. He always took part in the Children’s Carnival held in the town every year. He loved taking part and really looked forward to all the rehearsals and the build up to the big day.

“Joshua loved life and didn’t deserve to be taken from us at such a young age. His older brother, Sam, has lost his best friend and, we miss him more than words can express.

“We feel we cannot rest until we get answers into the circumstances of his death.”