Killed by a scratched hand: Mother, 42 dies from sepsis five days after injuring her hand gardening and doctor failed to spot danger

Lucinda Smith, 43, (pictured left and right with her children George, six, and Megan, nine) from Billericay, Essex, visited the doctor a few days after a minor scrape but was sent home. 


Three days later, she visited the local accident and emergency department where a simple blood test established she had contracted sepsis, a form of blood poisoning. She was placed on intravenous antibiotics immediately but was soon taken on to a critical ward, and died two days later.