Coroner Says Lady Joan Branson's 80-Year-Old Death Was Preventable With Blood Thinners
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 19
Coroner Says Lady Joan Branson's 80-Year-Old Death Was Preventable With Blood Thinners
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 19
Summary
A British coroner found Lady Joan Branson's death was likely preventable because she was not given preventive anticoagulants despite being at very high risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Branson, 80, died from a pulmonary embolism after being hospitalized in November 2025 following a fall on Necker Island that left her immobile with a fracture.
Westminster senior coroner Fiona Wilcox said the lack of anticoagulation probably caused or contributed to her death, but ruled the case was not one of neglect because she did receive medical care.
Inquest testimony showed doctors disagreed over whether bleeding risk justified withholding enoxaparin, and the admitting doctor said he did not complete a bleeding-risk assessment on the day of admission.
The case underscores a broader hospital safety issue: immobile patients often need clot prevention with blood thinners or mechanical devices, even as doctors weigh bleeding risks.