Heritage Manor Fined Over 2007 Incident

Residential care homes have been urged by an injury lawyer to ensure they have the right measures in place to protect occupants from harm, following an incident which saw a 92-year-old woman fall from a window.

Thora Monk died after she fell more than four metres from her bedroom window at The Lawns Nursing Home in Kempsey in January 2007.

An investigation revealed that windows could be opened fully, despite Health and Safety Executive guidance recommending that they should be restricted to open no more than 100mm.

Heritage Manor, the operator of the home, has been fined £16,500 and ordered to pay costs of £25,000 in relation to the incident.

Katrina Elsey, who specialises in public liability cases for Irwin Mitchell, said: “This terrible incident is all the more tragic as it could have been easily avoided through following of guidelines and the use of the correct systems.

“Those living in care homes are among the most vulnerable people in society and, because of this, every effort should be made to ensure they are safe from any potential harm.

“Lessons must be learnt from this case that can ensure that all residents are kept safe.”