In recent years figures have indicated that the number of accidents in care homes, particularly to the elderly, is on the rise. This could be a symptom of the current economic climate, but that doesn’t mean that injured victims and their families have no right to justice.
It is also feared that many incidents still go unreported and unheard of.
Here is a guide on what you need to know for anyone injured in a care home accident, and an insight in to the rights for the victim.
We’re a firm of specialist injury lawyers who have represented thousands of injured victims for decades and we have fought for the rights of countless care home incident victims. Patients and service users in residential care are expected to receive the appropriate and safe assistance they need. When they are let down by staff, they have the right to claim.
Private care homes should have insurance which is there to be used for anyone injured who needs to claim. So don’t worry – as a victim, you should be fully covered!
If the claim needs to be made against the local council or the NHS then they too should either have insurance to cover them or have funds set aside for victims who are injured. Again, you should be covered.
How do I make a claim?
Proper reports should have been made about the incident and its cause, and investigations should take place where appropriate. We can use this information and documentation as evidence as well as using expert evidence from our own medical consultants to prove the cause of the injury and confirm the extent and severity of any loss and injured suffered.
We as your lawyers are the ones who do all the leg work and the fighting for the victims’ rights, so you can pretty much leave the case in our safe and capable hands, and we will do the rest.
I want to claim on behalf of someone else because they can’t – can I still do this?
Yes you can – and it’s quite common when the victim is already in care that they are unable to make the claim themselves. A relative, friend, or other appropriate person can act as a ‘litigation friend’ where the victim simply cannot claim themselves, or they can act as an authorised representative where the victim could claim themselves but would rather someone else assist.
Will a victim need to attend any appointments or attend court?
Where applicable we can send our medical expert to visit the victim at their place of residence.
Court is always a rare scenario and where people cannot be expected to attend due to their health or personal circumstances, they don’t necessarily have to.
Is it easy to make a care home claim?
Just call us on 0800 634 7575 and we can talk you through the process and go from there. Whether it’s a fall injury or a neglect injury, we can help you.
