Kelly Dillon: NOSS carer’s death ‘natural’ despite workplace assault

A Tasmanian coroner has ruled a carer’s death two days after he was assaulted by a client, leaving “heavy trauma”, increased his risk of deep vein thrombosis but did not cause his 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 due to the assault but his death was ultimately due to natural causes.

Riverside man Kelly John Dillon, 58, died of pulmonary embolism sometime between February 17–18 this year, coroner Robert Webster said in his report into Mr Dillon’s death.

Mr Dillon was discovered deceased 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, three days prior to his death, 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 “pushed a table over and loudly swore” before picking up a chair and throwing it at Mr Dillon’s leg.

Mr Dillon received “heavy trauma and deep bruising” from the incident, the mother of Mr Dillon’s son relayed to Mr Webster, as set out in his report.

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 advisor, in reviewing the case, said the workplace injury “does not appear to have been mentioned” to Dr Lee.

Dr Bell concluded that “on the evidence available Dr Lee would not be expected to diagnose (pulmonary embolism)”.

He also said that “although the trauma at work increased the risk of venous thromboembolism it cannot be proven that the trauma Mr Dillon sustained at work caused this condition and therefore his death”.

It was noted Mr Dillon had a number of medical conditions, including atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease, emphysema and active respiratory bronchiolitis, all of which were “significant contributing factors” in Mr Dillon’s death.

On this basis, Mr Webster ruled the death was from “natural causes”.

An inquest into the death was “not required”.