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People Sympathize With ‘Harry Potter’ Actor Warwick Davis As He Sues Hospital After Wife’s Passing
Warwick Davis is suing a London hospital, alleging medical negligence following the death of his wife, Samantha.
Samantha died in March 2024 at the age of 53. The Harry Potter actor is working with the law firm Irwin Mitchell and specialist medical negligence solicitor Madeline Nugent, The DailyMail reported on Thursday (January 9).
Highlights
- Warwick Davis is suing a London hospital for medical negligence following his wife's death.
- Samantha tragically passed aged 53 after contracting sepsis post-spine surgery.
- The actors are known for their roles in 'Willow' and 'Harry Potter,' as well as for their work with the charity Little People UK.
An inquest into the circumstances of her death was expected to take place virtually from Inner West London Coroner’s Court.
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Warwick Davis is reportedly suing the London hospital that treated his wife Samantha before her passing
Image credits: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
The hearing, scheduled for January 9, had to be adjourned to a future date before any evidence was presented because Warwick and his daughter, Annabelle, experienced technical difficulties, according to the outlet.
“Warwick Davis most likely would like to be part of this inquest process,” assistant coroner Jean Harkin told the court, suggesting that the hearing be postponed.
“At the next hearing, I will make sure there is nothing in my diary that day…I will give it a full day when I relist [the inquest].”
“We are content with your suggestion and are grateful for it,” responded William Chapman, the Counsel for Warwick’s family.
Image credits: annabelleldavis
The actor could not contribute to the inquest because his connection reportedly kept “dropping out.”
A new hearing, which will also be held remotely, is expected to take place “as quickly as possible.”
The inquest is expected to hear whether the treatment Samantha received at University College London Hospital contributed to her passing, as per The DailyMail.
In 2019, Samantha contracted sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the immune system’s overwhelming response to an infection, after undergoing decompression surgery on her spine at the hospital.
Samantha died at the age of 53 after contracting sepsis following decompression surgery on her spine
Image credits: annabelleldavis
“We went home a week later, and suddenly, I couldn’t feel my legs. I thought I was still recovering from the surgery, so I went to bed, but the next day, I felt awful, as though I had been hit by a truck,” the Shortfellas actress said at the time.
The 54-year-old actor shared that Samantha’s mobility had become impaired in recent years, although “she was determined that it would not impact her quality of life.”
Warwick and Samantha met while filming the 1988 fantasy film Willow and married three years later.
Image credits: harrisonwdavis
They worked together in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which saw Warwick in the roles of Griphook and Professor Filius Flitwick, while Samantha and their children played Gringotts Goblins.
Warwick starred in all eight Harry Potter films and played several characters in the Star Wars franchise, including Wicket the Ewok.
Samantha, born Samantha Burroughs, worked on 1986’s Labyrinth and the BBC show Through the Dragon’s Eye.
The couple had three children: Lloyd, Harrison, and Annabelle, but their eldest tragically passed in infancy nine days after he was born.
The Star Wars actor alleges “medical negligence”
Image credits: warwickadavis
Warwick paid tribute to his wife of over three decades in April 2024, a month after her passing.
“My wife and soul-mate, best friend. Devoted mother. My favorite human. My most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career has passed,” the English actor announced.
“Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs.”
“She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life; she had a wicked sense of humor and always laughed at my bad jokes.”
Image credits: warwickadavis
Warwick highlighted his late wife’s generosity and said she significantly contributed to the success of his career.
He continued: “Without Sammy, there would have been no Tenable quiz show, no Willow series. No Idiot Abroad Series 3. She was passionate about helping people without judgment. She had time for everyone and a genuine listening ear.”
Annabelle and Harrison also paid heartfelt tribute to their mother, writing, “Her love and happiness carried us through our whole lives.”
“Mum is our best friend, and we’re honored to have received a love like hers.”
Samantha and Warwick worked together on Willow and the final Harry Potter film
Image credits: warwickadavis
Image credits: annabelleldavis
Samantha and her husband founded the charity Little People UK in 2012 to help individuals with dwarfism and their families.
Following her passing, the charity wrote: “Not only was Sammy a passionate advocate for the community, she was a friend to many, with a listening ear at any time and an endless positive spirit.”
“I hope he gets the answers he wants,” a fan commented
What do you think ?
StarCrossedFriday 3 days ago (edited)
Sepsis is so awful - it can be terrifyingly fast and horrifyingly slow at the same time. My brother got it after a flare-up of his ITP - two weeks of slow, increasingly extreme forms of amputation, and they couldn’t get ahead of it. By the end he had no arms or legs; most of his face, including his nose, ears and lips were gangrenous, his vocal chords gone, and had he lived, he would have had no ability to swallow or speak and been in 24-hour care on permanent dialysis. The hospital decided this was not a life worth living, and yet people kept saying “he’d want to live for his kids” (who were 6-year-old twin girls and a 2-year-old son at the time) and that we should fight the decision to pull the plug. Kids who wouldn’t be able to recognise him, and he’d have no way of talking to them or holding them, or doing much of anything anymore. I knew my brother. He would have hated every second of that existence.
StarCrossedFriday 3 days ago (edited)
They actually asked if we wanted them to bring him out of the artificial coma so we could say goodbye. I just cannot comprehend what kind of conversation that might have been. We just hope he didn’t suffer too much. Seven years ago, and it still feels like yesterday. I can only imagine how Warwick feels - I just hope Samantha didn’t suffer and passed in peace.
Load More Replies...
Christos Arvanitis 3 days ago
Very sad. Sepsis happens and it is horrible. I lost a friend to it. I was once at risk of sepsis due to a skin infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics at first... and it was terrifying.
StarCrossedFriday 3 days ago (edited)
I’m very, very glad you managed to avoid it - you’re right, it’s terrifying. Really hope you’re okay now ❤️
Load More Replies...
Gracie Jay 3 days ago
Wow, I don’t think I realized how dangerous being septic was until seeing all these comments. My sister has diabetes that she struggles to keep even close to under control. So sometimes if she gets an infection, it’ll become extreme. And twice now, the infection became septic. Both times she was septic, they managed to get rid of the infection. She was hospitalized for weeks both times but there were no amputations or anything like that. I’m only just realizing how lucky she must be!
Gracie Jay 3 days ago
Paula: if you see this, you better not let any infections out of control again!!
Load More Replies...
WorkAholic1 3 days ago
My condolences to the family on the loss of their mother and wife. So young to lose your soulmate! May the memories of her love and laughter bring a smile to your face. I once heard that a person never truly dies when you think of them. They are always with you and alive in your heart.
Uncle Schmickle 2 days ago
It seems incredible that in this modern age and highly advanced medical procedures, this should have happened. A tragic event.
Suck it Trebek 3 days ago
This is so horrible all the way around. My heart aches for her. Suffering with sepsis and ultimately succumbing to it is awful. Losing your significant other out of the blue is terrible. I can't imagine losing my husband. I would be lost without him. I feel sorrow for the likely aloneness he feels without her. My deepest condolences on his and his children's loss.
The Starsong Princess 3 days ago
Unfortunately, you have to sue the hospital to get an inquest, answers or any reassurance that they will solve problems.
StarCrossedFriday 3 days ago (edited)
Sepsis is so awful - it can be terrifyingly fast and horrifyingly slow at the same time. My brother got it after a flare-up of his ITP - two weeks of slow, increasingly extreme forms of amputation, and they couldn’t get ahead of it. By the end he had no arms or legs; most of his face, including his nose, ears and lips were gangrenous, his vocal chords gone, and had he lived, he would have had no ability to swallow or speak and been in 24-hour care on permanent dialysis. The hospital decided this was not a life worth living, and yet people kept saying “he’d want to live for his kids” (who were 6-year-old twin girls and a 2-year-old son at the time) and that we should fight the decision to pull the plug. Kids who wouldn’t be able to recognise him, and he’d have no way of talking to them or holding them, or doing much of anything anymore. I knew my brother. He would have hated every second of that existence.
StarCrossedFriday 3 days ago (edited)
They actually asked if we wanted them to bring him out of the artificial coma so we could say goodbye. I just cannot comprehend what kind of conversation that might have been. We just hope he didn’t suffer too much. Seven years ago, and it still feels like yesterday. I can only imagine how Warwick feels - I just hope Samantha didn’t suffer and passed in peace.
Load More Replies... Christos Arvanitis 3 days ago
Very sad. Sepsis happens and it is horrible. I lost a friend to it. I was once at risk of sepsis due to a skin infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics at first... and it was terrifying.
StarCrossedFriday 3 days ago (edited)
I’m very, very glad you managed to avoid it - you’re right, it’s terrifying. Really hope you’re okay now ❤️
Load More Replies... Gracie Jay 3 days ago
Wow, I don’t think I realized how dangerous being septic was until seeing all these comments. My sister has diabetes that she struggles to keep even close to under control. So sometimes if she gets an infection, it’ll become extreme. And twice now, the infection became septic. Both times she was septic, they managed to get rid of the infection. She was hospitalized for weeks both times but there were no amputations or anything like that. I’m only just realizing how lucky she must be!
Gracie Jay 3 days ago
Paula: if you see this, you better not let any infections out of control again!!
Load More Replies... WorkAholic1 3 days ago
My condolences to the family on the loss of their mother and wife. So young to lose your soulmate! May the memories of her love and laughter bring a smile to your face. I once heard that a person never truly dies when you think of them. They are always with you and alive in your heart.
Uncle Schmickle 2 days ago
It seems incredible that in this modern age and highly advanced medical procedures, this should have happened. A tragic event.
Suck it Trebek 3 days ago
This is so horrible all the way around. My heart aches for her. Suffering with sepsis and ultimately succumbing to it is awful. Losing your significant other out of the blue is terrible. I can't imagine losing my husband. I would be lost without him. I feel sorrow for the likely aloneness he feels without her. My deepest condolences on his and his children's loss.
The Starsong Princess 3 days ago
Unfortunately, you have to sue the hospital to get an inquest, answers or any reassurance that they will solve problems.
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