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Coroner lambasts hospital for Kakos’ death

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Kakos family. Coroner's Report.

The bereaved parents of the late Peter Kakos feel vindicated by the Coroner’s Report. Photo: K. Deves

11 Jan 2010

A Coroner's report into the tragic death of 28-year-old talented soccer player Peter Kakos lambasts the hospital where he was treated for systemic failures.

Peter Kakos died in May 2006 in Alfred hospital. He was rushed there after suffering a severe headache and two seizures on the side of the road while driving his taxi.

The Coroner Kim Parkinson has written among other things in her report that was released at the end of last year: "This is a tragic case where a failure to observe and report upon clinical developments contributed to the death of Peter Kakos," according to a report in The Age.

The Coroner outlined certain hospital failures that contributed to his death which could have been avoided.

When Peter Kakos was admitted in Alfred he was given a brain scan.

This was showing a lesion on the temple that was misdiagnosed by part-time consultant neurosurgeon Brendan O'Brien as a tumour, or a haemorrhage.

In fact it was a brain abscess that later ruptured resulting in the death of Peter Kakos.

Mr O'Brien had considered the possibility of the abscess but only as a 10 percent chance.

However, this was not relayed to the neurological registrar, nor was it recorded in Mr O'Brien's notes. Moreover, he thought that urgent surgery was not necessary.

Last week Neos Kosmos contacted Peter's father, Theo Kakos who said that the family felt vindicated by the Coroner's report.

When asked what will be the family's next move, Mr Kakos noted that they'll be expecting their lawyers to return after the holiday break at which time a decision will be made whether to proceed with legal action.

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