Settlement for elderly woman’s family following multiple avoidable hospital falls

Our elderly care specialists secured a settlement for the family of a woman in her 80s who suffered a series of avoidable injuries while under hospital care. She was initially admitted to hospital with a fractured hip sustained in a fall at home, which required surgical intervention.

During her recovery, she experienced a further fall on the hospital ward due to substandard nursing care, resulting in a fractured arm. This additional injury significantly hindered her rehabilitation and mobility.

She was later transferred to a second hospital for ongoing rehabilitation. Unfortunately, she suffered further falls in this setting, one of which caused a fracture to her other hip. This required further surgery and placed considerable strain on her already fragile health. She sadly died during her extended hospital stay.

Expert medical evidence concluded that the falls were preventable with appropriate nursing supervision and care planning. The injuries she sustained not only caused her premature death but also led to a significant loss of independence and quality of life in her final months. The case highlights the importance of robust fall prevention measures and the duty of care owed to vulnerable elderly patients in hospital settings.