Facts
A night watchman went to a hospital vomiting after drinking tea. The doctor on duty did not examine him and he died of arsenic poisoning.
Issue
Did the doctor's breach cause the death?
Held
No. He would have died even if properly treated, so the claim failed.
Principle
The 'but for' test: the claimant must show that but for the breach the damage would not have occurred.
Why it matters
The leading case on factual .
Cited in these chapters
Cite this page
Barnett v Chelsea and Kensington Hospital Management Committee [1969] 1 QB 428 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/barnett-v-chelsea-kensington> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.