Northern California Nursing Home Bed Sores Attorneys
Nursing Home Bed Sores
Bed sores, also known as pressure sores, are injuries to the skin and tissue that develop from constant pressure to an affected area. Bed sores can develop quickly and if not treated properly, may result in immense pain for the nursing home resident, and lead to infection and death. At high-risk for developing bed sores are elderly nursing home residents who are often bedridden and require constant repositioning. Nursing homes must ensure that a resident, who originally entered the home without bed sores, does not develop bed sores while in their care.
If a resident develops bed sores, it could be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect and the counsel of a northern California nursing home abuse attorney is needed. The attorneys at Estey Bomberger handle claims involving nursing home abuse or neglect on the behalf or nursing home residents and their families. We may be able to help families recover damages for a bed sore injury or wrongful death against the negligent or careless nursing home facility or staff.
Nursing Home Bed Sores Risk Factors
The development of bed sores can be attributed to a number of risk factors that include:
- The inability to walk, move or change position in bed. A nursing home is responsible for repositioning bedridden, immobile residents.
- The presence of moisture, often cause by residents’ incontinence or perspiration. Nursing homes and their staff must make sure that they are frequently bathing the resident, and changing bed sheets and diapers.
- Poor nutrition and hydration can aid in breaking down the skin, leading to a greater risk of developing bed sores.
- The mental awareness of the resident, which can be effected by medication, may not have the sensory perception to initially detect a bed sore and prevent further injury from happening.
- Existing medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes and cancer can contribute to the development of a bed sore.
Nursing Home Bed Sore Stages
Bed sores, or decubitus ulcers as they are properly known, are caused by constant pressure on a particular area of the body, usually where a bone protrudes and there is a thin covering of skin. The tailbone, hip, heel, elbow and shoulder blades are common areas for a bed sore to develop. In the first stages of a bed sore when constant pressure is applied to these areas, blood flow and oxygen is restricted, causing tissue cells to die and eventually turn into a red, painful area. Stage II of a bed sore occurs when the red, painful area has now become an open wound that looks similar to a blister and has possibly penetrated the deepest layer of the skin (dermis). When a bed sore reaches Stage III, the wound has extended to tissue below the skin and sometimes looks like a deep crater. By the final stage, stage IV, the bed sore has now lost a large amount of skin and can start to damage underlying muscle and bone.
Northern California Nursing Home Bed Sore Injury Claim
In most cases, a bed sore is preventable and unacceptable if caused by the negligence or carelessness of a nursing home employee or facility. Families of the victim may be entitled to compensation, including medical expenses, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and lost wages (if you are unable to work because of caring for your loved one’s injuries). If someone you love has suffered a bed sore and you believe the nursing home responsible for his or her care may be liable, a northern California nursing home bed sores lawyer at Estey Bomberger can evaluate your case and determine if filing a person injury or wrongful death claim is the best legal route for you and your family. Because you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim for nursing home neglect, it is important to speak to a qualified lawyer right away. Call Estey Bomberger at (800) 890-6722 to speak with a knowledgeable nursing home abuse lawyer for free, with no obligation.