Repeated Falls in Care Home Led to Fatal Injuries

Background

We were instructed by the Personal Representative of the Estate of an elderly resident who sadly passed away following repeated falls while living in a care home.

Prior to admission, the resident had lived independently, walked unaided, and managed all aspects of daily living. Following a fall associated with infection and confusion, she was admitted to hospital and later discharged to a care home for assessment.

Shortly after admission, the resident suffered a series of unwitnessed falls. Documentation confirmed that she was known to be at high risk of falling, yet she was incorrectly assessed as being at only medium risk. Despite multiple falls, evidence of increasing confusion, and clear signs of reduced mobility, her falls risk assessments and care plans were not sufficiently reviewed or updated.

As a result of these failures, the resident sustained a serious fracture to her hip. She was left on the floor for a prolonged period before being taken to hospital. Surgical intervention was required, followed by further surgery due to complications. She subsequently developed infection, pneumonia, and sepsis, and was placed on palliative care.

Subsequently, she sadly passed away in hospital.

The coroner concluded that repeated falls in the care home led to the fracture becoming displaced, warranting surgery and ultimately contributing to her death.

Representation

We brought a claim against the care home provider for negligence, including failures to:

• Correctly assess the resident as high risk of falls
• Implement appropriate falls prevention measures
• Review and amend care plans following repeated falls
• Safeguard the resident despite a clear pattern of deterioration

Resolution

We successfully pursued a claim on behalf of the Estate, securing £8,500 compensation for pain, suffering, and consequential losses. While the outcome reflected the seriousness of the care home’s failings, no amount of compensation can truly account for the distress caused to the resident and her family because of repeated and preventable failures in care.

Contact Irvings

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

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

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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.

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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.