Family demands accountability after injuries to disabled man in Reykjavík care facility

A family of a severely disabled man living in a care facility in Reykjavík is expressing concern about the lack of safety measures after their relative suffered injuries while under the supervision of staff. Despite the family’s concerns, the city has denied their request for damages.

The mother and brother of the man, who cannot communicate and has the mental capacity of an infant, claim his safety is not guaranteed at the care home, where he has suffered two injuries. He sustained a shoulder fracture after falling from his wheelchair when being moved down steps. Previously, he had fallen backward and hit his head while left unattended after a bath. The incidents are currently under police investigation.

Gunnar Gunnarsson, the man’s brother, argues that the management of the facility has been chaotic, with no supervisor for an extended period and inadequate staffing. The family has not received any communication from the authorities following these incidents. Gunnar believes that Reykjavik city officials are failing to manage the situation appropriately, stating, “The neglect shown to Sigurður and his family is extraordinary.”

The family has been providing care for Sigurður themselves after he experienced seizures post-injuries. They have spent long hours at the hospital tending to him following the incidents. Sigurður requires ongoing specialized care, but uncertainty about future arrangements looms after an initial four-week provision.

The city’s welfare department, while rejecting the family’s compensation claim citing lack of evidence, has offered to improve staffing levels at the care home and provide temporary support for Sigurður as he recovers. The family, however, remains deeply concerned about the apparent disregard for oversight and care standards at the facility.