When a Care Home Negligence Expert Flags Systemic Failures in Elder Care

Care Home Negligence Expert Reveals Documentation and Risk Failures

At Apex Experts, we frequently encounter cases where vulnerable older adults receive substandard care that goes unchallenged until legal scrutiny intervenes. In this post, our care home negligence expert examines a case where an elderly resident suffered repeated falls, malnutrition, and pressure injuries, all within 99 days at a residential care facility.

This case reflects what happens when documentation, escalation, and basic clinical governance are poorly implemented, ultimately resulting in avoidable harm and legal liability.

What the Care Home Negligence Expert Report Revealed

A care home negligence expert witness on our panel revealed the following:

• Four separate unexplained falls within 3 months

• Development of a Grade 3 pressure sore with inadequate skin monitoring

• Weight loss of over 7kg with delayed response from nursing staff

• Failure to involve a GP despite clear escalation thresholds

• No documented communication with family regarding falls, wound status, or nutrition

Despite using clinical tools like the Waterlow Score and MUST Score, staff did not act on the results, showing a critical disconnect between risk identification and actual care planning.

“Completing a risk assessment doesn’t reduce harm. Acting on it does.”— Apex Care Home Negligence Expert Witness

Care Home Negligence Expert Perspective on Legal and Regulatory Failures

The expert opinion concluded that the care fell below the standards outlined in:

• Regulation 9 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, regarding the care and welfare of people using services

• The CQC Judgement Framework

• Internal care home policy documents, many of which were undated and unsigned

The consequences? Not only did the patient suffer harm, but the home faced a safeguarding investigation, referral to the Care Quality Commission, and potential civil litigation for negligence.

Prevention Lessons for Risk, Compliance & Clinical Practice

This case underscores what regulators and solicitors alike look for when assessing liability:

• Falls should trigger post-incident GP involvement and risk reassessment

• Malnutrition should prompt early intervention based on MUST guidelines

• Pressure injury prevention must include care bundles, regular repositioning, and escalation of any skin breakdown

• Family engagement is part of safe, ethical, and transparent care

Need an expert to comment on negligence in a Care Home? Get in touch with us at info@apexexperts.co.uk, call us on 0203 633 2213 or visit our contact us page.