A frail elderly lady who was injured by a member of staff in a County Durham care home has received more than £9,000 in compensation.
The 92-year-old was found with a broken femur at Cedar Court Care Home in Seaham, in May 2008.
The patient, who weighed only five stone, was discovered injured by another carer and was taken to hospital where she had surgery to put a steel rod in her leg.
She told her family that a member of staff had injured her. Following an investigation a carer was sacked.
The lady’s condition became so bad she was moved to a nursing home, where her family says she is now recovering well.
Local Authority advised family to claim compensation
Her son said he decided to pursue compensation after he was advised to by the local authority.
He contacted Thompsons Solicitors through his trade union the Durham Colliery Mechanics’ Trust. European Care Ltd, which owns the care home, admitted liability and settled the claim out of court.
He said: “It is difficult to imagine that my mother was injured by the very person who was hired to help look after her. My mother was in agony but was left by that carer to suffer alone.
“We decided to pursue compensation as we were advised that it would be the quickest way to gain some kind of redress. We wanted to make sure this carer never worked with vulnerable people again.”
Clair Wilson from Thompsons Solicitors added: “This family put their trust in this care home to look after their mother in her old age. Instead she was left with a broken leg and had to undergo an operation. Her condition became so bad she had to be moved to a nursing home.
“It is only correct that this family gets justice and that this carer was sacked from her position working with vulnerable people.”
