No blame on assault for death

A TASMANIAN disability support worker, who died just days after he was assaulted by a client at his workplace, causing “heavy trauma” to his leg, was at “increased” risk of deep vein thrombosis because of the assault, but his death was ultimately due to natural causes.

Riverside man Kelly John Dillon, 58, (inset) died of pulmonary embolism between February 17-18, coroner Robert Webster said in his report into Mr Dillon’s death.

Mr Dillon was discovered dead on the afternoon of February 18 by a friend.

The cause of the death was determined to be deep vein thrombosis causing pulmonary embolism.

According to the report, on February 15, Mr Dillon was assaulted by a client while working for his employer, Launceston’s Northern Occupational Support Service (NOSS). At 2.35pm on the day of the assault, the client picked up a chair and threw it at Mr Dillon’s leg.

Mr Dillon received “heavy trauma and deep bruising”, the mother of Mr Dillon’s son relayed to Mr Webster.

On the afternoon of February 17, Mr Dillon texted a superior at NOSS, informing them he “felt terrible (and could) hardly get out of bed”.

General practitioner Dr Chris Lee identified Mr Dillon as suffering from “malaise”, requested pathology and diagnostic imaging and wrote him a medical certificate, Mr Webster said.

Dr Anthony Bell, the coronial division’s medical adviser said the workplace injury “does not appear to have been mentioned” to Dr Lee.

It was noted Mr Dillon had a number of medical conditions, which were “significant contributing factors” in Mr Dillon’s death. Mr Webster ruled the death was from natural causes.