A MAN who received a five-figure payout after a residential home admitted liability for injuries his mother sustained in their care is urging others to report concerns they may have.

Avis Dawson was involved in three accidents and needed hospital treatment twice after she moved to Stanley Park Care Home, in Stanley, County Durham, early last year.

In the last incident, on March 11, last year, she suffered a broken hip after she allegedly jumped up from a chair.

She also cut her left hand and suffered severe bruising after allegedly falling out of bed and banging her head.

The next month, while recovering from a hip replacement operation at Shotley Bridge Hospital, she died aged 97 because of respiratory complications.

Brian Dawson, 71, who still lives in the home he shared with his mother in Westfields, Stanley, said he believes residents in homes run by other firms or councils could also be at risk.

The former firefighter and caretaker said: “I want to raise awareness to encourage people to do something about it.

There are people who will listen to their concerns like they did for me.”

Southern Cross Healthcare admitted liability for Mrs Dawson’s injuries and settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

Mr Dawson said: “I would like the authorities that are supposed to be watching these homes to be keeping an eye on them.”

A Southern Cross spokeswoman said: “The health and wellbeing of our residents is our priority and we take any allegations or complaints very seriously.

“All Southern Cross staff are specifically trained to be aware of what constitutes abuse and the action to be taken should concerns be raised.”

She said anyone with concerns should talk to a member of staff or the Action on Elder Abuse charity on 0808-808-8141.

A spokesman for the Care Quality Commission, which regulates care homes, said abuse of elderly residents included shouting, insulting and ignoring them as well as causing injuries.

The Care Quality Commission hotline is 0300-061-6161 while Durham County Council is on 0845-850-5010.