A hospital trust is facing a compensation claim after it was fined £10,000 when a vulnerable patient in its care fell out of a first-floor window and suffered serious injuries.

North East Essex Primary Care Trust admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act after Charles Preston, a partially-sighted 68-year-old, suffered breaks to his shoulder, pelvis and coccyx when he fell.

The incident occurred at the Clacton & District Hospital in March 2008.

Following the court ruling, Mr Preston has announced his intention to sue the trust.

Kim Wicks, the Health and Safety Executive inspector who investigated the case, said the accident could have been avoided.

"The control measures, in this case window restrictors, to prevent this risk are easy to fit and maintain," she said.

Last week, the Herald reported that student Jonathan Harvey was going to sue Plymouth City Council after he fell 20ft through a broken fence on council property.