Alex Williams represents Liverpool City Council at Inquest

December 6, 2016

Alex Williams from Exchange Chambers has represented Liverpool City Council at the Inquest in to the death of Maureen Umosoh who was a resident at the Beechwood Specialist Care Home.

Mrs Umosoh, a dementia patient, was found dead after walking out of the care home on 16 December last year when a fire alarm was set off.  The last sighting of her was on CCTV outside Garston Dock where she spoke to a security guard who said he thought she was one of the ship-workers’ wives.  Her body was found on the dock estate two weeks later and she was pronounced dead later that day.

The Inquest concluded that Beechwood Specialist Care Home could not have prevented Mrs Umosah’s death and that the risk of someone escaping the building had been managed in a “reasonable and practical” way.

Beechwood Specialist Care Home said: “Maureen was much loved by everyone at our home and nearly a year on is still missed by staff and residents alike. Our thoughts and sympathies are with her family at this difficult time.

“Balancing the need for safe evacuation during a fire alarm, providing a safe and secure environment for residents and also respecting people’s rights is a very important responsibility.”

The coroner and jury, it added, “agreed the home could not have prevented this tragic event”.