Vulnerable Care Home Resident Suffers Fatal Injury

Background

We acted for the family of an elderly lady who was admitted to a residential care home initially for respite care before becoming a permanent resident. Prior to admission, she had been living independently but experienced a significant deterioration in her health, including cognitive decline and mobility issues, which meant she was no longer able to live alone safely.

At the time of admission, the resident had a complex medical history. She was known to mobilise frequently during the night, wander independently, and use stairs without assistance, placing her at high risk of falling.

During our client’s stay in the respective care facility, she suffered over 20 falls, many of which were unwitnessed. Several incidents involved head strikes, slipping on urine, or falling without appropriate monitoring or timely assistance. On multiple occasions, falls were either inadequately documented, not reported to family members, or followed by insufficient escalation for medical assessment.

Despite the frequency and seriousness of these falls, referrals for specialist falls input were delayed and incomplete, understating the true number of incidents. Recommended safety measures were either not implemented promptly or were inconsistently applied.

Our Client eventually suffered an acute infection, was noted to be increasingly confused, and had deteriorating mobility. While in a communal area, she was left unattended by staff. Shortly thereafter, she was found on the floor in severe pain, with obvious deformity to her leg. Emergency services were called, and imaging later confirmed a fractured neck of femur.

The resident was deemed medically unfit to undergo surgery and was placed on an end-of-life care pathway. She sadly passed away shortly afterwards.

Representation

Irvings were instructed to investigate and pursue a claim on behalf of the estate of the deceased. The claim alleged that the care provider failed to adequately assess and manage the resident’s high risk of falls, failed to implement and review appropriate preventative measures, and failed to ensure sufficient supervision, particularly during periods of known vulnerability.

Following the resident’s death, the matter was referred to the coroner. The coroner concluded that future deaths could occur at the care home unless action was taken, and a Regulation 28 “Prevention of Future Deaths” report was issued.

Resolution

Irvings were able to negotiate a financial settlement of £17,000. Despite the good result, no amount of financial compensation can account for the pain and suffering our client and her family experienced due to the care home’s failings.

This case highlights the serious consequences of failing to properly manage known falls risks, the importance of accurate reporting and escalation, and the need for care providers to implement robust safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable residents from avoidable harm.

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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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.