Recurrent falls in care homes are a significant concern, not only because they can lead to severe injuries, but also because they indicate potential negligence in safety practices. Falls are complex incidents influenced by a variety of personal and environmental risk factors. This article discusses these factors and outlines the steps care homes should take to prevent falls, ensuring the safety and well-being of their residents. Risk Factors for Falls Risk factors for falls in care homes can be broadly divided into personal and environmental categories. Understanding these factors is key to de ..read more

A Parliamentary Report on Birth Trauma aims to ‘work towards a maternity system that is woman-centred and where poor care is the exception rather than the rule’. A government inquiry into maternity services has heard from more than 1,300 women who have experienced a traumatic birth. The report states that the stories they heard from parents were ‘harrowing’ and that in many cases, the trauma was caused by mistakes and failures occurring before and during labour. The report details case studies from several women who have come forward to tell their stories. These include: a woman whose traumati ..read more

Can I make a claim if my loved one has been injured in a care home? Yes. All care homes have a duty of care to look after their residents. Care homes should prepare care plans for their residents which take into account their individual condition, disability and needs. Regular reviews should be undertaken to make sure the care plans are relevant and risk assessments should be completed. If an older person suffers harm due to a failure to provide reasonable care, then you may be able to claim compensation. What type of care home does it apply to? All types of care homes –Private or local author ..read more

Definition A pressure sore, according to the NHS website is an ‘area of damage to your skin and the tissue underneath. You have a higher chance of getting them if you have difficulty moving. Pressure ulcers usually form on bony parts of the body, such as the heels, elbows, hips and tailbone.’ What Causes a Pressure Sore? Pressure sores (also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers) are caused by something rubbing on your skin. Typically, those with problems moving develop pressure sores. They develop because the weight of your body is constantly putting pressure on the same area(s) of skin, which ..read more

Background Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Actions Against the Police, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against the Metropolitan Police. Due to confidentiality, the client will be referred to as Mr S. Mr S was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in charge of a child whilst at home despite the said child being asleep in bed and one of the attending Police Officers saying that he did not think that Mr S was drunk. On being arrested, handcuffs were aggressively and tightly applied which were refused to be loosened by the said attending Pol ..read more

Background Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Actions Against the Police, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against Devon & Cornwall Police. Due to confidentiality, the client will be referred to as Mr G. Mr G was busking like he has for over thirty years during which he was issued with a Direction Notice to leave under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 over a 48-hour period. As he returned to the area within such a period, Mr G was arrested and transported to custody where he was interviewed and charged with an offen ..read more

Background Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Actions Against the Police, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against West Yorkshire Police. Due to confidentiality, the client will be referred to as Mr C. In the early hours, Police Officers from West Yorkshire Police entered into Mr C’s home whilst he was in bed and immediately arrested him on suspicion of criminal damage before he was then handcuffed and permitted to get dressed. After this, Mr C was escorted into a Police vehicle with a view to being transported to a local Police Station but ..read more

Background Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Data Breach Department, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against the Ministry of Justice. Due to confidentiality, the said client will be referred to as Mr E. Mr E was involved in legal proceedings against his ex-partner concerning child maintenance payments following a breakdown in their relationship due to domestic violence whereupon he was the victim. Pursuant to his role in the proceedings, Mr E filed documentation with the Ministry of Justice that included his new residential address that h ..read more

Background Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Data Breach Department, has successfully represented family in their claim for compensation against Liverpool City Council. Due to confidentiality, the said family will be anonymised. Liverpool City Council disclosed the home address of a foster family to the biological father of their foster child in error when sending unredacted documents to all parties within ongoing Court proceedings. Representation After this, the involved family approached specialist Data Breach Solicitors, Irvings Law, for assistance. Mr McConville immed ..read more

Background Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Actions Against the Police and Data Breach Department, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against the Metropolitan Police. Due to confidentiality, the client will be referred to as Mr R. Mr R was an acting senior officer within the Metropolitan Police when he was asked whether he was covering a shift. In response to this, Mr R explained why he was unable to do so citing medical issues and prescriptions. Upon receipt of this email and without any consent, the person whom received the same forwarded ..read more