We can help you or a loved one make a care negligence claim
Older people in care deserve a high standard of support to make sure they're comfortable, safe and properly looked after. If a loved one has been injured due to nursing home, hospice or care home negligence, we know how wrong that can feel. We're here to help you.
Aside from helping to pay for private medical treatment and covering the costs of an injury, making a compensation claim can help to improve care standards. When claims are made against care homes, this can highlight safety issues that prompt changes to avoid the same thing happening to someone else.
In the last 12 months alone, we have advised over 14,000 people about medical negligence, including infection, medication errors and nursing care standards.
For free impartial advice, or to find out whether you could make a compensation claim, you can get in touch with us on . We'll be happy to answer your questions and will never rush or pressure you into claiming.
Even just the process of them being able to talk to somebody at their own pace about what's happened without being quizzed can be quite validating for people.
Clinical Psychologist Dr Claire Freeman
What is residential abuse in nursing homes or care homes?
Because most older people are so reliant on those around them, there are many different types of care home negligence. Unfortunately, negligence can have a serious effect on the health of an older person.
Although many older people are often cared for extremely well in nursing homes, some may also be the victims of abuse. Residential abuse in nursing homes, care homes or hospices doesn't just have to be physical to qualify as abuse. There are several forms of abuse and neglect to look out for including sexual, psychological, discriminatory and even financial. For example, if you or your loved one are not being provided with enough food, the right kind of food or not being cared for properly, you are being neglected.
If you're worried about yourself or a family member and are wondering what constitutes nursing home abuse, we've listed some examples below. Please don't worry if your experience isn't included here, it's likely we'll still be able to help you.
Falls or handling errors
Patients and residents in care homes and hospices are at risk of falling. To avoid this, they should be provided with the mobility aids and equipment they need to move around, as well as supervision. Staff should also be properly trained to lift patients safely, as incorrect lifting can cause injuries. If carers are not complying with these simple needs, you could be entitled to start a care home neglect claim.
Medication errors
Some older people don't know the correct medication or dosage they need, and so they rely on care home staff to do this for them. If mistakes are made and the wrong medication or dose is given, then this can have serious consequences.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse in a care home is wrong; no-one deserves to be hit, slapped, pushed or restrained while being cared for. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury through physical abuse in a care home, we're here to help you make it right by making a compensation claim for your suffering.
Psychological abuse
From emotional abuse to stopping you from seeing people, psychological abuse is often an invisible form of care home negligence. If those caring for you or working in your nursing home make threats to hurt or abandon you, humiliate, blame, control, are intimidating you or are isolating you, our team are on hand to help you make a claim for care home neglect compensation.
Making care home claims for pressure sores
Pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers, happen when a patient's skin is left in contact with a bed for a long period of time. They're very painful and can lead to other serious problems such as infection, gangrene and blood poisoning.
Pressure sores are common in care homes and hospitals, especially with patients or residents who spend a long period of time in bed. Staff in care homes, nursing homes and hospitals should make sure patients are regularly moved, and that they're given suitable beds. They should also carry out frequent checks of patients to look for areas where sores might develop, as they can sometimes form quite quickly.
Sexual abuse
This type of abuse can range from indecent exposure and sexual innuendos, to inappropriate looking or touching, rape and every level of sexual abuse in between. If you are concerned, whether you're receiving care at home or are living in a residential home, call our team on today.
Has care home neglect affected your mental health?
Has care home neglect affected your mental health?
Care home abuse and neglect can not only impact you or your loved one's physical health, it can affect mental health too. Don't suffer in silence; we're here to help.
It's always really important to hear what the person's been through.
To hear their narrative, from them, in their way - and having the time and space to be able to do that - is essential.
Dr Claire Freeman
Clinical PsychologistIf your mental wellbeing has suffered due to care home negligence, we're here to help. Speak to our friendly team on to chat through your situation in your own time, at your own pace.
Who is eligible to make care home negligence claims?
Who is eligible to make care home negligence claims?
Everyone is entitled to make negligence claims against care homes if they've been harmed by something done, or not done, while staying in a care or nursing home, hospice or receiving care in their own home. If you or your loved one has received a substandard level of care or experienced abuse of any type, you may be able to make care negligence claims.
Whatever the circumstances of your incident, come and speak to us when you are ready on . We'll give you clear and impartial advice to help you explore your options. Once we've had an initial conversation, we'll leave it to you to decide whether you'd like to go ahead in your own time.
If you do want to take the next steps, we can put you in touch with one of our specialist lawyers from our carefully approved nationwide network. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have and will work hard to get the best outcome for you or your loved one.
Can I make care negligence claims for someone else?
Can I make care negligence claims for someone else?
We know some older people will be unable to make a care home negligence claim on their own.
If you're reading this on behalf of a loved one, rest assured we can help you claim on their behalf.
The first step is to get in touch with us. We'll be able to help you understand what claiming involves and can let you know whether you could make a claim. If you decide you'd like to go ahead, we can pass you to care home negligence solicitors who can help you through the next steps.
Is there a time limit for duty of care negligence cases?
Is there a time limit for duty of care negligence cases?
Yes - there is a time limit to make negligence claims against care homes. In most cases, you can bring a claim up to three years from the date of the incident. Our care home claims solicitors have an official admin procedure they must follow when submitting your claim. If you're nearing the deadline to be able to make a claim, we advise you to call us on as soon as possible, while we can still help you.
There are, however, certain circumstances in which the three-year time limit doesn't apply. For example, if you're considering making a nursing home abuse claim on behalf of a loved one who no longer has full mental capacity following a neglect or abuse incident, there are usually no time limits for lodging a claim.
How much compensation will I receive?
How much compensation will I receive?
If you're wondering how much compensation you could receive as a result of care home neglect or nursing home abuse, unfortunately there is no quick answer. The amount you could receive depends on the complexity and severity of your individual case.
Our specialist care home claims solicitors will work hard to understand the impact your case has had on your life and will take this into consideration when building your claim. Here are some of the things your solicitor will look at with you to work out how much compensation you could receive:
- The pain and suffering caused by your incident. We call this General Damages.
- Any financial support you need to help pay for medical equipment, treatment, medication or rehabilitation, as well as any necessary changes to your room in the nursing home or your own home.
- The wider effects of your injury on your care home social life, hobbies and family.
Your solicitor will take all of the above into consideration when negotiating your care home neglect claims, and aside from the support this compensation can give you in your recovery, it can also help to highlight any safety issues within your care or nursing home that need addressing, so that other people don't suffer in the same way.
For more information about making a claim - or to find out how we can help you - get in touch with us free on .
How much does it cost to make care home claims?
How much does it cost to make care home claims?
We know these types of cases can be difficult on both a physical and an emotional level; our experienced care home claims solicitors will almost always work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there are no up-front costs or hidden charges, and if the claim is unsuccessful and your solicitor doesn't achieve compensation for you, you don't pay a penny for the work they've done.
No win no fee arrangements take the risk out of making a claim, because you don't pay anything if you lose your case.
Your solicitor may need to take out special legal protection insurance for you, which pays the costs if your claim fails, and ensures claiming is risk free. The cost of this is only taken if you win your case. You'll never have to pay anything upfront and there are no hidden charges, so you'll never be out of pocket
If your claim is successful, they'll make a deduction from the overall settlement that you're awarded. They'll always be open and transparent with you and will explain all of this to you at the outset and before beginning work for you.
Should a No Win No Fee arrangement not be able to be used on your specific claim, your care home claims solicitor will let you know why. This happens very rarely but if it does, they will ensure you are well informed so you can make the best choice for you about what you want to do next.
Still not sure?
If you're still unsure about what to do next and would like to talk things through with one of our friendly team, contact us for impartial and independent advice on .
Remember, we're here to help and make things right for you or your loved one.