Our Public Health solicitors helped a family bring a claim against a care home after their loved one died from contracting Legionnaires’ disease.
What happened to Andrew?
Andrew was a resident at the Fordingbridge Care Home in Hampshire. He moved to the home in April 2017 after complications with his mental health.
In October 2017, he was admitted to Salisbury District Hospital and later diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia after being exposed to the Legionella bacteria.
After two weeks in the hospital, Andrew sadly died from Legionnaires’ disease.
How did Irwin Mitchell help Andrew’s family?
Following Andrew’s death, his sister and brother instructed our Public Health team to secure answers as to how Andrew fell ill and died. Jatinder Paul, a Partner in our Public Health team, helped Andrew’s family with their claim.
We launched a civil claim to Sentinel Healthcare, who run Fordingbridge Care Home, for Andrew’s death after he contracted Legionnaires’ disease while living in the care home.
Initially, the healthcare provider was reluctant to engage with Andrew’s family about his death, which upset his family. As public scrutiny grew around Andrew’s death, they became more engaged and helpful with enquiries.
Jatinder was able to secure an admission of liability from Sentinel Healthcare. They paid Andrew’s family a significant five-figure settlement for causing his death.
Further criminal investigation
After we helped Andrew’s family settle their civil claim, the Care Quality Commission launched a criminal investigation against Sentinel Healthcare.
In July 2019, the team supported Andrew’s family through a high-profile Inquest. The jury concluded that Andrew died from Legionnaires’ disease which he contracted at Fordingbridge Care Home after Legionnaires’ bacteria was found to be present in Andrew’s bathroom taps and shower.
Sentinel Healthcare pleaded guilty to charges of causation of harm and death to Andrew. They were fined £150,000 plus costs of £17,500 and a victim surcharge of £170.
Expert opinion
On the claim, Jatinder said: “All of Andrew’s family have been determined that no stone be left unturned in establishing why he died, so all lessons possible can be learned.
“Sadly, through our work we are only too aware of the devastating consequences of Legionnaires’ disease, and nothing highlights this more than Andrew’s death.
“Nothing can ever make up for their loss, but we hope that Andrew’s family can now try to look to the future the best they can knowing that justice has been done in the criminal prosecution. However, it’s vital that all appropriate steps are taken to prevent incidents such as this from reoccurring.”
Back to Client Stories
