If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or illness in a care home, it can be quite traumatic and sometimes life-changing. Our specialist care home negligence solicitors can help get the compensation you deserve.
Medical negligence experts
Slater and Gordon’s medical negligence experts are ready to help you. Contact us online today or call us on freephone 0330 041 5869 to speak to one of our friendly advisers.
Contact our medical negligence team today for support with your claim
When your elderly or vulnerable loved ones reside in a care home (also referred to as a nursing home), you rightly expect a certain level of care and protection of their health and safety.
In the majority, those who reside in care homes get an excellent service of care. However, there are exceptions when failings by the care homes and their staff result in poor medical treatment and care which can lead to loved ones becoming ill or injured. When this happens, you may be entitled to compensation for care home negligence.
What are the most common causes and types of medical negligence in care homes?
There are different scenarios which can lead to a care home injury, for example:
Pressure ulcers and pressure sores
Pressure sores or ulcers can develop under different circumstances, such as:
A patient’s skin is in contact with the bed for a long period of time
A plaster is put on incorrectly after a fracture
Pressure sores can be painful and take a long time to heal, and some don’t heal at all. This kind of sore can lead to infection and they may restrict the patient’s ability to walk or move.
Medication and prescription errors
Administering the wrong medication
Failing to keep meticulous and up-to-date records of the patient's medical history
Failing to give accurate instructions
Misdiagnosis which leads to failure in prescribing the correct medication
Medication and prescription errors can lead to serious and even life-threatening conditions, and at the very least make an elderly person very ill rather than helping them to recover.
Injuries and fractures from falls and handling errors
Care home residents may be vulnerable to injuries from falls if:
They’re not provided with appropriate mobility aids
They’re not adequately supervised
They’re handled by staff carelessly
There are occasions when a fall in a care home hasn’t been caused by negligence but some accidents are avoidable with proper care.
Injuries from neglect and abuse
In other cases, the families of care home residents are horrified to discover that an injury has been caused by abuse or deliberate neglect. In these circumstances, you need a legal expert on your side to help prove that the injury was caused by deliberate abuse, and not by the person’s age or an unavoidable accident.
Slater and Gordon have a team of experts who specialise in elderly abuse and can help prove your case and get the justice you deserve.
How much can I claim for medical negligence which has occurred whilst in a care home?
Naturally, every medical negligence case is different, and the final amount of compensation awarded will be based on the severity of the injury and the affect the injury has had on your life. Additionally, you’ll also be able to claim for any financial losses you’ve incurred as well as the cost of additional care, rehabilitation or treatment that’s required.
To establish your full legal position, call us on 0330 041 5869.
How much time do I have to make a medical negligence care home claim?
If you believe you have a medical negligence care home claim, it’s important that you seek advice from a solicitor who specialises in care home and nursing home claims as soon as possible, as there are time limits in place in England, Scotland and Wales.
Generally, a care home or nursing home claim should be made within three years from the date the negligence occurred or the date you were first aware that you had suffered a significant injury or illness due to negligence. However, there are exceptions.
Can get help with costs before my case reaches a conclusion?
When suffering as a result of medical negligence, it can also have a negative financial impact, for example, if you’ve been unable to work, you may have lost earnings, or you may have to pay for treatment, rehabilitation and medication. Interim payments are payments which can be made prior to your case reaching a final settlement to help relieve any financial burden. It can pay for private medical treatments and rehabilitation.
Interim payments are only available when the other side has admitted they were in some way partly to blame for the incident. We can help you secure interim payments. Contact us to establish your full legal position 0330 041 5869.
How much does it cost to make a care home negligence claim?
The majority of our care home negligence claims are funded by a conditional fee agreement, otherwise known as a No Win No Fee agreement.
This means if you lose your case, you won’t have to pay any fees and therefore, there’s no financial risk to you. For further information, about No Win No Fee agreements, read our medical negligence fees page.
Why choose Slater and Gordon's care home solicitors?
Not only do we have many years' experience securing compensation for negligence in care homes, we also have the utmost sensitivity to handle your case with great care.
Crucially, our solicitors know the importance of supporting you and your family through this most difficult time. We’ll be sensitive to your needs, compassionate in understanding the challenges you face and dedicated to fighting your case.
We offer home and hospital visits and provide immediate representation and rehabilitation support. Contact us for a free consultation to help you understand whether or not you have a claim or call 0330 041 5869.
Can I change my solicitors to Slater and Gordon?
If you or a family member have been seriously impacted by medical negligence, and you feel that you're not getting the specialist legal advice you need from your current solicitor, we'll be happy to discuss switching your case to Slater and Gordon. Simply call our experts on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help.
Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive.
Mr Q (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim.
Ms S (medical negligence client)
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help. Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive. Mr Q (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim. Ms S (medical negligence client)