Tragic loss of vulnerable patient resulting from care home errors

Our personal injury team acted on behalf of the family of a gentleman in his early 70s who lived in a care home due to severe dementia but had been fully mobile. He lacked any insight into his whereabouts or safety and was noted to require a high level of supervision and as having a tendency to get lost.

One evening he was left unsupervised and entered a physiotherapy room containing some gym equipment that was unlocked. While in the room he became entangled in ropes and equipment and suffocated.

The claim was brought on the basis that the physiotherapy room and equipment presented obvious risks to vulnerable patients such as this gentleman and should have been kept locked to prevent unsupervised access.

We proceeded through an inquest, the claim was denied and we issued and served proceedings, with the defendant ultimately agreeing a settlement.