A WOMAN whose two-year battle to prove that a hospital fall contributed to her partner's death failed today vowed to continue her fight.

Pauline Combe went to the High Court in London to prove vital evidence had not been considered and to win the right to have a second inquest into the death of Bill Tatters, 52.

But after the exhumation of Mr Tatters' body and a second post mortem examination by Home Office pathologist, coroner Michael Singleton again returned a verdict of natural causes.

The hearing was told that Mr Tatters, of Hazel Close, Blackburn, suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but died 12 hours after falling out of bed and banging his head at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, in November 2003.

Miss Combe said she would discuss her next move with her legal advisers and added: "I am devastated and will believe until the day I die the fall did contribute to his death.

"I feel as though we have still not reached that truth. I was very shocked by the verdict. It is all very upsetting but I will fight on."

The inquest heard that Mr Tatters, a father-of-four, was forced to finish work in October 2002 because of a chest infection. His condition deteriorated and he spent time in hospital during June 2003.

Miss Combe said that by October, his condition had improved slightly and they had begun making plans for Christmas. But he woke up shaking and very white and later that day was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Mr Tatters was transferred to Queen's Park Hospital and on November 6, when Miss Combe left his side for just five minutes, he fell and banged his head.

There was a cut and swelling above his left eye as a result of the fall. Mr Tatters died 12 hours later.

Dr Nigel Horsfield, a consultant physician, said Mr Tatter's condition was irreversible.

Dr John Rutherford, who carried out the second post mortem examination two years after the first said because of decomposition he could not find evidence of a laceration or bruise but he was able to say there was no fracture of the skull or damage to the brain.

He said the medical cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and said smoking was the most likely cause.

Barrister Andrew Bridgeman, representing Miss Combe, said in his view the fall had hastened death. "I suggest there is a probability the shock, pain and distress brought forward the time of his death and that would be significant enough to form part of the verdict."

Mr Singleton said: "The evidence does not support that and on balance the appropriate conclusion is one of natural causes."