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Care home patient awarded substantial negligence compensation

Patients in care homes throughout the UK have been reminded that clinical negligence compensation is available in the event of staff mishaps. The advice follows a recent case in which a female care patient was severely and unnecessarily scalded.

Jeanette De Bono was living at Eight Ash Court nursing home in Essex as a result of her genetic disorder Rett Syndrome when she suffered 40% burns to her body in August 2002.

Staff attempted to bathe the 28-year-old but failed to notice that the water was far too hot before lowering her in. When Ms De Bono struggled, staff tragically mistook her distress for an epileptic fit and held her in the water.

As a result, Ms De Bono suffered terrible burns to her entire body, and although she has now mostly recovered, she lost what little mobility she had and is confined to a wheelchair indefinitely.

With the help of her solicitors, Ms De Bono took legal action against Wellcare Nursing Homes and, at a High Court hearing this week, it agreed to pay an undisclosed sum in clinical negligence compensation. The undisclosed sum will allow her to buy mobility aids and cover any future care costs.

"This is a story of total carelessness by those entrusted with the care of a vulnerable young woman," said Ms De Bono solicitor earlier this month. "It is a shame that the case had to be resolved through legal proceedings rather than a very early admission and settlement."