Care home negligence: is your loved one at risk?

Behind the closed doors of England’s care and nursing homes, thousands of vulnerable people are at risk of neglect and harm. Data from the NHS reveals there were more than 40,000 formal inquiries into potential abuse or neglect involving adults in nursing and residential care homes in England in 2023/2024.

Many more cases are potentially going unreported – especially in homes where standards have already been called into question. As of October 2025, more than 2,100 care homes in England were rated as “requires improvement” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). However, a BBC investigation found three quarters of these homes had not been reinspected within a year or more.

Taking a stand when standards fall

Sub-standard care can result in both physical and psychological harm. A lack of supervision can result in repeated falls. Insufficient staff can leave residents in soiled clothes. Poor training can lead to medication errors.

All nursing and care homes in England are expected to meet CQC standards, which cover five key areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. When these are not met, it can amount to negligence.

If a care home or its staff have acted negligently or provided insufficient care that resulted in you or a loved one suffering an injury or illness, you could take legal action. To be successful, you must prove the care was below the expected standard and that it directly caused harm.

You can pursue a negligence claim for yourself or on behalf of a loved one – especially if they lack mental capacity. There is generally a three-year time limit from the date of an incident or a death, but this might be longer or shorter depending on the circumstances.

Securing compensation and protecting others

If your claim is successful, you or your loved could receive financial compensation, which varies based on the level negligence and harm. For example, Attwaters secured a five figure settlement for an elderly man who developed serious pressure sores following poor care at a nursing home.

For many care home residents and their loved ones, making a negligence claim is not just about securing compensation; it’s about learning lessons to ensure others are not harmed in the future.  

Attwaters understands the complexities and sensitivities of care home negligence cases. From gathering evidence and establishing causation to consulting medical experts and attending inquests, we will support you at every stage of the process.

If you think you have grounds for a claim, contact us today for a free consultation on enquiries@attwaters.co.uk or 0330 221 8855.