Background

Care home failed to do a risk assessment: We acted for the Estate of an elderly gentleman, Maurice, who was admitted to a care home. On admission he needed assistance to transfer but could walk with a wheeled zimmer frame with support.

Maurice had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s which was getting worse. He was assessed as sometimes forgetting to use his call bell and asking for assistance. It was noted that staff were to provide a safe environment including making sure all walkways were clear and clutter free.

Our client was able to exit the patio doors on the ground floor of the care home go into the garden wherein he climbed a stone wall on a grassed area, lost his footing and fell backwards sustaining significant and multiple fractures.

Maurice remained in hospital until he was discharged to a different care home. It was recorded by the home that there was “a near miss” incident the day before this accident. The home therefore missed an opportunity to identify and implement a risk assessment and care plans associated with him trying to leave the home.

Once we reviewed the records it was apparent that the care home fell below the standard expected in assessing our client, the safety of his environment and to monitor and supervise him.

Representation

On the instructions of Maurice’s family , Irvings Law brought a claim for neglect against the care home due to their failures and the fact that Maurice was not properly assessed, monitored or supervised. It was foreseeable without this that he would attempt to leave the care home and the garden was of course a hazard.

Resolution

We secured an admission from the Defendant care home and a financial settlement for Maurice’s Estate.

The care home had very clearly failed to carry out adequate or any risk assessments associated with the risk of our client attempting to leave the care home and even more so given there had been an incident the previous day.

Maurice’s injuries were clearly preventable and he suffered very significant pain and distress in his recovery from those injuries.

Contact Irvings

Irvings Law are specialists in handling claims involving care home neglect and injury and is committed to fighting neglect in care homes and securing financial compensation for victims of care home neglect.

Has your loved one been injuries as a result of neglect or injury in a care home?

How much will it cost me?

We act on a “no win – no fee” basis. If your claim is successful, the costs are paid by the Defendant. If the claim is not successful, you do not pay our costs.

Have an Enquiry?

For more information, please visit the care home injury compensation page of this website. Or, you can contact Irvings for a no obligation confidential chat by telephone on 0151 475 1999 or use our free phone number 0800 954 0243 and talk to our specialist care home injury team. Alternatively you can submit your enquiry to us by email to info@irvingslaw.com.