Carer Wins £50k Compensation Following a Lift Accident at Nursing Home

A carer has been awarded more than £50,000 in compensation after plunging down a lift shaft at a nursing home in a fall where her patient died. Carol Conway, 52, fell 20ft (6m) at Pontcanna House Care Home, Cardiff, in 2012 as she reversed May Lewis, 96, in her wheelchair.

Care Council for Wales said her actions were not deliberate or reckless.

Mrs Lewis, who had been at the home for just five days, broke 52 bones and died.

Mrs Conway, who had been a carer for 29 years, broke her back, ribs, left foot and punctured her lung and was left unconscious.

“I will be in pain for the rest of my life. I can’t do anything like I used to,” she said.

She has now been awarded the compensation after launching legal action against the owners of the Pontcanna House Care Home in Cardiff, South Wales.

“The money doesn’t mean a thing to me. The most precious thing we have is our health. I know I am very lucky to be alive but life has changed so much because of that terrible accident. I take 32 tablets a day and I am never free from pain.”

“I still have terrible nightmares thinking of May and her family. I am constantly plagued by that terrible day.”

“Poor May Lewis should have died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her loved ones, not with 52 broken bones at the bottom of a dark, damp lift shaft. I feel so angry – this accident would not have accident if the owners had got the faulty lift fixed as they should.”

Mrs Conway had been working at Pontcanna House for three years when the accident happened in March 2012.

She said: “I loved my job so much. I had been a carer for 29 years and it meant so much to me working with elderly people. I only wish I could turn back time.”

Owners of the nursing home knew lift was faulty

“The owners knew that lift wasn’t working properly but they allowed us to carry on using it. If it had been fixed this accident would never have happened.”

“After the accident I didn’t hear a word from the home owners Mr and Mrs Al-Mufti. I never received as much as a get well card from them.”

Shirwan and Nasik Al-Mufti, the husband and wife owners of Pontcanna House, were fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £25,000 costs at Cardiff Crown Court for health and safety breaches.

Mrs Al-Mufti, who was in charge of health and safety at the home, admitted she knew the lift was faulty.

Ms Conway was awarded the compensation for her injuries. She did not reveal the exact amount but confirmed it was more than £50,000.

She added: “It’s three years on but I am still so angry. I was awarded compensation but money will never change that terrible day.”

“I think about it constantly. My heart goes out to May and her family. I am so sorry she died the way she did – it’s tragic. The only thing that keeps me going is my family. I have seven grandchildren and I know I am lucky to be alive.”

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For information relating to making a possible claim, contact one of our specialist personal injury solicitors. Our offices are based in Uxbridge, West London and Chesham, Buckinghamshire and we cover all surrounding areas. To enquire about making a compensation claim please contact a member of our team on 01895 207230 or 01895 207295. Alternatively, you can send an email to pi@ibblaw.co.uk or complete our online form.