The widow of a German man who lived here for many years has taken a High Court action for damages for alleged negligence arising from the circumstances of her husband's death at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Alfred Gottstein (53) died on September 19th, 1992, while in intensive care after an operation for a growth on his throat.
Ms Ute Gottestein, his widow and executrix of his estate, is suing the hospital and Prof Michael Walsh, a surgeon, under whose care her husband was stated to have been at the time.
Ms Gottstein claims her husband was in the intensive care unit and under the care of the defendants, their servants or agents who owed a duty of care to her to exercise all due care, skill and diligence in relation to his examination and treatment.
On the night of September 8th, 1992, it is claimed, Mr Gottstein was convalescing from surgery at the hospital when his tracheostomy tube became dislodged from his trachea, as a result of which he lost his airway, suffered cardiac arrest and died.
Ms Gottstein has brought the action on behalf of the estate of her late husband and also in her own capacity as widow and on behalf of their daughter, Ruth (33), and sons Michael (30) and Achim (27). Liability is fully denied by the defendants.
Mr Hugh Mohan SC, for Ms Gottstein, said the deceased had moved to Ireland in 1962, and built up his own business, owned property and ran a farm.
In 1992, he had a problem with his throat. He saw a number of medical practitioners, and had radiotherapy before being admitted to Beaumont Hospital. He underwent surgery on September 7th. The following day he was alert and orientated.
At about 10 p.m., a nurse noted that he had a form of discomfiture. Counsel referred to the treatment which followed, and said Mr Gottstein never regained consciousness, and died on September 19th, 1992.
The hearing continues.