Care Home Negligence Claims: Why We’ve Seen a Surge Since 2020

When you choose a care home, you are trusting professionals to protect your loved one. But official statistics and investigative reports confirm a disturbing truth: the system is failing, and the number of justified claims is rising sharply.

At Irvings Law, we’ve seen a clear increase in families coming to us seeking justice. The failures are no longer isolated incidents they are a sign of a care sector under relentless strain.

The Hard Truth: Complaints Being Upheld

The independent watchdog, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), found fault in a massive 80% of all adult social care complaints it investigated in detail during one recent review period. This high uphold rate confirms that when families raise concerns about poor care, they are often legitimate and based on genuine failings.

Key Drivers: Why Negligence is Rising Since 2020

The systemic pressures that began in 2020 have created a perfect storm for negligence to flourish in many UK care homes:

1. The Legacy of the Pandemic Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic placed immense strain on the sector, and the consequences continue to be felt:

• Unlawful Policies: Legal action, often led by families, challenged the government’s early pandemic policies, particularly the rapid and often un-tested discharge of hospital patients into care homes. This landmark legal action established a clear precedent for holding authorities accountable.
• Systemic Stress: The crisis exposed and intensified chronic underfunding and resource gaps.

2. The Workforce Crisis and Staff Burnout

Since 2020, severe staff shortages and high staff turnover have made safe, consistent care a major challenge.

• Inadequate Ratios: Overstretched staff are forced to manage too many residents, leading to fundamental care being missed. This is the root cause of many claims, including falls and pressure sores.
• Training Gaps: Fast-tracking new staff without sufficient training or oversight increases the risk of critical errors, particularly with medication and patient handling.

3. Neglect Becomes Avoidable Injury

The result of these systemic failures is an increase in entirely avoidable injuries and conditions that form the basis of most negligence claims:

Has Your Loved One Suffered? You Have a Right to Justice.

If your family member has suffered an injury, illness, or rapid decline in health since 2020 that you suspect was preventable, you should not accept the care home’s excuses. You may be entitled to compensation to cover medical costs, pain and suffering, and to hold the provider responsible.

What Irvings Law Can Do

At Irvings Law, we have a strong track record of dealing with complex care home negligence cases, including:

• Claims arising from residents “escaping” a care home and sustaining injuries.
• Cases involving serious injuries from negligently handled hoisting and transfers.
• Claims for severe pressure ulcers that developed due to chronic neglect.
• Claims arising from resident falls that result in broken bones

Our No-Win-No-Fee Promise

We offer free initial advice, and a no-win-no-fee promise.

Don’t wait to investigate.

The evidence you gather today is crucial to your loved one’s case.

Start your claim now!

For a confidential discussion about your situation, please contact our specialist team today:

• Freephone: 0800 954 0243
• Email: info@irvingslaw.com