Grieving dentist sues Matt Hancock over his father’s death from Covid-19 because he fears he inadvertently infected his parents after following ‘erroneous’ Government advice
- Dentist launches legal action after his father, aged 80, dies from coronavirus
- Dr Minesh Talati fears he infected parents after following ‘erroneous’ Gov advice
- The lawsuit is the first by a relative over the death of a loved one from Covid-19
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A grief-stricken dentist is suing Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Public Health England over the Covid-19 death of his father.
In what is thought to be the first case of its kind in Britain, former Tory parliamentary candidate Dr Minesh Talati launched the legal action after his 80-year-old father Navin succumbed to the disease at the Royal London Hospital after battling it for 28 days.
The dentist fears he inadvertently infected his father and mother Aravinda, 74, along with his pregnant wife, Joanne, because he followed ‘erroneous’ Government advice published on the PHE website.
Navin Talati is pictured with his beloved grandson, Eshan, three. The dentist says the Government’s scientific advisers knew coronavirus transmission was happening but the PHE website failed to say so. Had it done so, he says he never would have visited his parents
Dr Talati said he unknowingly caught the virus in late February and likely passed it when he visited his parents’ home in Goodmayes, Essex, on March 7.
Two days later, Dr Talati fell ill and it was later confirmed as Covid-19. PHE advice at the time stated there was little community transmission.
The dentist says the Government’s scientific advisers knew coronavirus transmission was happening but the PHE website failed to say so. Had it done so, he says he never would have visited his parents.
Dr Talati insisted his lawsuit has not been brought for financial reasons. He said: ‘I want justice. Someone has to take responsibility for ignoring the signs.’
Navin Talati arrived in Britain from India in 1969 and worked as a pharmacist for 35 years.
He also set up a private dental practice with his son in 2009 and supported him when he stood unsuccessfully in the Labour stronghold of Barking, East London at the 2017 Election.
Dr Talati said: ‘He was not just my father, I’ve lost my best friend, I’ve lost my work colleague. The person I go out for a drink with is my father.’
He said he spoke briefly to his ailing father on the telephone before his death on April 18. He said his last words were: ‘Don’t worry son’.
The lawsuit is the first by a relative over the death of a loved one from Covid-19 and may pave the way for more legal action.
The Department of Health said: ‘We cannot comment on ongoing or potential action against the department.’
A grief-stricken dentist is suing Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Public Health England over the Covid-19 death of his father. Mr Hancock is pictured above