Negligent hospital care resulted in elderly woman requiring hip replacement after fall
An 80 year old woman was recently paid £100k in medical negligence compensation after suffering a hip fracture in hospital.
She was first admitted to hospital in June 2006 for surgery and was making a good recovery, although remained unsteady on her feet. Her physiotherapists noted that she should only be moved with the use of a frame and with two people assisting her at all times. She also needed two people to assist her with transfers. On 30 July 2006 a single nurse assisted her to the bathroom and back. The nurse then left her standing unsupported in front of her chair. The lady fell to her right side. The nurse managed to grab her right arm but unfortunately she twisted around and fell on to her left side and fractured her left hip.
She required a total hip replacement and lost confidence in her ability to mobilise, even with assistance. On 23 August 2006, she had two further falls, on both occasions having been left unattended whilst mobilising. As a result she suffered a minor head injury, but her confidence was knocked even further. In total she remained in hospital for 16 weeks.
Before the accident she had lived an active, independent lifestyle. After the accident she lost all independence and was effectively left bedridden and house bound as a result of her injury. Expert evidence stated that her condition was permanent and that she would probably not experience any improvement in her mobility.
A claim was brought against the hospital for failing to perform an adequate risk assessment and in failing to ensure that staff were given appropriate training and supervision. As a result the claimant was not provided with adequate assistance when transferring and mobilising.
The defendant hospital admitted that there had been a failure to adequately assess the risk, thereby exposing the claimant to the possibility of injury. However, it denied that it had failed to provide the claimant with adequate assistance or that it had failed to provide staff with appropriate training and supervision.
The claim eventually settled out of Court for £100k. The compensation included damages for the claimant's pain and suffering, the cost of care and assistance, travel expenses and home adaptations.
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