Overview

• The Lincolnshire coroner ruled that Michael Reynolds died from a hypoxic cardiac arrest caused by epiglottitis and identified a missed opportunity for urgent hospital referral.
• GPs initially treated his severe throat swelling and inability to swallow as tonsillitis, prescribing antibiotics without advising emergency department assessment.
• After collecting medication, Reynolds collapsed at home, suffered a seizure, and died in hospital on December 1, 2023.
• His family has hired medical negligence solicitors Irwin Mitchell to investigate the decision not to refer him for resuscitation-level care.
• They are calling for enhanced primary-care triage protocols and greater awareness of epiglottitis among frontline clinicians.