An East Yorkshire widow has secured a substantial five-figure settlement following the tragic and preventable death of her husband, who suffered repeated falls while in respite care at a local care home.
Wilkin Chapman, a leading law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire and one of the UK’s top 200 law firms, successfully pursued the case against Cranswick Lodge Care Home – Highgate Care in Hutton Cranswick (formerly Southlands Care Home). The firm’s legal team exposed serious failings in the care provided to the 73-year-old man, who, despite assurances of tailored support for his dementia and severe mobility issues, endured multiple falls due to negligent care. These failures culminated in a fatal head injury between July and October 2020.
The man’s widow, determined to uncover the truth, initially struggled to secure legal representation due to the complexity of the case. Wilkin Chapman’s specialist team stepped in, conducting a thorough investigation that ultimately secured justice and highlighted significant breaches of care.
Jonathan Baker, partner at Wilkin Chapman, commented, “Our investigation uncovered multiple deficiencies in the care home’s approach, including inadequate risk assessments, failure to follow medical recommendations, and a lack of appropriate supervision. These lapses directly contributed to the man’s repeated falls, culminating in a fatal brain injury. Disturbingly, evidence also revealed that some of these falls were concealed by the care home both before and after his hospital admission. Further investigations found that he had developed bed sores and was denied the one-to-one care he urgently required, further exacerbating his suffering.”
Jonathan continues, “This case highlights the profound consequences of negligent care. Care homes have a duty to provide safe environments, and when they fail, they must be held accountable. We are pleased to have secured a settlement that acknowledges these failings and provides our client with a measure of closure. This outcome also serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of consistent, high-quality care standards across the sector. Our work ensures families have a voice and that their loved ones receive the dignity and attention they deserve.”
Despite initially defending their actions as “reasonable,” the care home ultimately conceded to failings following Wilkin Chapman’s meticulous case-building and expert-led approach. The settlement acknowledges these critical breaches of duty, providing financial compensation to the widow for her devastating and avoidable loss.
While the settlement amount remains confidential, it signifies formal recognition of the care home’s failures and enables the widow to move forward with a sense of justice having been served.
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