Repeated Falls Result In Five-Figure Settlement For Driffield Widow

A substantial five-figure settlement has been awarded to an East Yorkshire widow from Driffield whose late husband died after suffering repeated falls at a local care home.

The 73-year-old man was suffering from severe disabilities as well as dementia and pronounced mobility problems; he had been admitted to Cranswick Lodge Care Home - Highgate Care in Hutton Cranswick (formerly known as Southlands Care Home) for specialist respite care. Despite firm assurances that he would receive tailored support for his condition, the facility failed in every aspect and he endured a series of falls during his brief stay from July to October 2020, culminating in a head injury from which he never recovered. After repeated failures, he was admitted to hospital and subsequently passed.

The widow, determined to understand what went wrong, sought answers. After another law firm declined to take on her case due to its scale and sheer complexity, she reached out to Wilkin Chapman via our website. Our team’s commitment to uncovering the truth proved instrumental in achieving justice for this “devastating” failure to provide adequate care.

Uncovering inadequate care

Our investigation revealed significant shortcomings in the care provided. These included inadequate risk assessments, failure to follow the falls team’s recommendations, insufficient supervision, and a lack of action after prior falls. Nursing evidence demonstrated that these failures directly contributed to the man’s falls, which could have been avoided with proper care.

Some of the deceased’s falls were actively concealed by the facility before and after hospital admission, and he had contracted a bleed on the brain as a direct result. Further to this, he began to suffer from bed sores and was denied one-to-one care - despite his extensive injuries.

Despite the defendant’s initial claims that their actions were “reasonable”, Wilkin Chapman’s expert-led approach and meticulous review of the available evidence led to the care facility making key concessions. Though no amount of money can truly compare with the loss of a loved one, these admitted failings led to a reasonable settlement offer, offering the widow monetary compensation for the tragic and avoidable loss of her partner. The family is especially grateful to Wilkin Chapman for holding the facility accountable for their continued failures in caring for the deceased.

Securing a settlement that helps bring closure

While the compensation amount remains confidential at the client’s request, the sizable settlement represents recognition of the care home’s repeated failings and it has allowed her to find some closure from this profoundly difficult situation.

Jonathan Baker, Partner at Wilkin Chapman, reflected on the broader significance of the case, stating: “This outcome highlights the critical importance of holding care providers accountable. Variability in care standards can have devastating consequences, and our role is to ensure these failings are addressed. The settlement not only acknowledges the poor care provided but also emphasises the need for consistent and high-quality standards in care homes.”

Wilkin Chapman’s success in this difficult case underscores our expertise in navigating complex medical negligence claims and our dedication to achieving justice for clients.