A Primary Care Trust (PCT) in North East Essex has been ordered to pay £10,000 after a partially sighted patient fell from a first floor window.
The incident that happened in March 2008, left a 68 year old man with a series of personal injuries to include a blow to the head and a broken pelvis and shoulder. He fell through a window which did not have the correct restrictors on even though it is a legal requirement.
The gentleman walked up to the first floor toilet area, the window which is only meant to open 4 inches was actually open 10 inches and the man plummeted to the ground floor.
The North East Essex PCT has admitted it had breached Health & Safety rules.
Shortly before the accident the PCT was ordered by the Department of Health to carry out an inspection of all its window restrictors. The inspection was to see if an restrictors were missing, damaged or faulty. This report was not carried out.
Health & Safety Executive Inspector Kim Wicks said: “North East Essex PCT failed in its duty to ensure the health and safety of this retired gentleman, who was left severely injured after his fall, which should never have happened. The risk of vulnerable patients falling from windows above ground level is well known and there have been a number of similar cases.”
For free advice call
0808 231 5942 or Claim Online
