Care home neglect compensation

How do I make a claim about care home neglect

Should the vulnerable person be unable to make decisions for themselves because they no longer have the necessary mental capacity someone else, known as the 'Litigation Friend', can act on their behalf.

The Litigation Friend could be a concerned family member, someone who has already been granted Power of Attorney or appointed as a Deputy by the Court of Protection. The Litigation Friend acts for the injured person in their best interests taking decisions necessary to bring a claim.

We can give you advice and guidance where there is evidence of injury, physical or psychological, caused by neglect. Our dedicated team can advise you on which route to take and may also be able to put you in touch with various support groups.

How long will my claim about care home neglect take

This depends on a number of things such as how serious any injuries are and whether the other party admits liability and whether the police or the coroner has become involved. Here, our first priority will always be to make sure you or your relative are safe and well.

We will need to obtain any care home medical records and medical evidence from independent experts to establish if the care home negligently breached their duty of care and if there is a case they need to answer initially. We need evidence about your or your relative or friend’s current condition, what treatment they might require immediately and what they are likely to require in the future.

All this takes time, but this information is vital to allow us to recover the maximum amount of damages to which you are entitled as a result of any identified neglect and negligence. The approach that the other side chooses to adopt can also affect the time it takes to settle.

Sometimes, the Defendant will accept our evidence and our valuation. In these circumstances claims will settle more quickly than when liability is disputed. Claims can often be settled through negotiation even if liability is denied, but some can and do go to trial.

We will always aim to resolve your case as soon as possible, keeping you informed of progress every step of the way, but it will take a little time to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome.

If I have a case about care home neglect

These cases are distressing, but establishing if there is a case for a care home neglect claim is a matter of evidence and judgement. Care home neglect should also not be confused with care home abuse.

It may be difficult enough when your loved one suffers through poor administration or simple carelessness but it is all the more shocking when actual, deliberate, physical or psychological abuse is involved, as in some recent high profile care home scandals.

In cases of abuse preventing any further harm being done and ensuring your relative's immediate safety is the first priority. The police, or coroner, may be involved and relatives may be faced with a choice of civil or criminal action.

Different standards of evidence are needed for a police prosecution compared to a civil claim.

In civil claims you need to 'prove' what you allege is more likely than not to have happened. In criminal cases, proof has to be 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Good legal advice and support is essential to choose the right course of action.

More about care home neglect

One of the more obvious sign of inadequate care and neglect in care homes is untreated bed sores or pressure sores.
If not recognised and treated soon enough, bed sores can develop and cause a fatal infection.

Pressure sores or ulcers are common among people who are unable to move because of illness or old age and can be caused by friction, temperature or incontinence. They are most frequently brought on by unrelieved pressure on one part of the body.

The more severe the bed sore ulcer, the longer it takes to heal and the more susceptible the victim will be to other serious infections.

Should your relative suffer from this painful and potentially dangerous condition, it is possible that the care provided has fallen below the required standard. In that case, if harm has been caused, legal action may be considered against the care home.