Sometimes families must depend on nursing home facilities to take care of their loved ones. By entrusting the nursing home with caring for your loved one, it is only reasonable to expect that the facilities will keep your loved one as safe and healthy as possible. Unfortunately, they can fall short of meeting their obligations.
Whether by ignoring safety guidelines, having inadequate staffing levels, or allowing abuse and neglect to take place, nursing homes tend to fail to meet the standards of care required of them. Resultantly, residents suffer serious injuries, complications, or even death. Bedsores are among the most common injuries that nursing home residents suffer as a result of neglect and or abuse in the facilities. According to a study by Nursing Open, published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), at least 26% of nursing home residents suffered bedsores in 2016.
Bedsores are preventable if proper care is taken by the nursing home and its staff. If your loved one develops bedsores or if they deteriorate, it may be an indication of inadequate or negligent care on the part of the nursing home. Since nursing homes have a duty to safeguard the wellbeing and safety of their residents, they may be liable for the damages you and your loved one may suffer as a result of their negligence.
At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, our attorneys can help you pursue justice for your loved one. We will hold the nursing home accountable for this problem and pursue the maximum compensation that may be available. Contact us at (800) 842-6336 for a free case evaluation with a member of our team. A Nashville bedsores lawyer is eager to take your case.
Understanding Bedsores
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or pressure sores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues that result from prolonged pressure. Bedsores occur in areas that are under pressure of lying on a bed or sitting in a wheelchair. Since nursing home residents have fragile skin, their risk of developing bedsores is heightened if the resident’s mobility is limited.
Bedsores don’t develop all at once. They go through a series of stages, from minor sores to severe skin ulcers. Here are the four stages of bedsores in detail:
- Stage 1: The sores are in their initial stages, and wounds have not developed yet. Though they are painful, there are no breaks or tears.
- Stage 2: The reddened skin may break or wear away to form painful wounds. It may look like a scrape or blister or crater. If not attended to at this stage, the skin may die.
- Stage 3: The sore digs deeper into the soft tissue underneath the skin, forming a crater.
- Stage 4: This is the most severe stage of bedsores. The sore is so deep that it damages the muscles, bones, and sometimes tendons and joints.
Bedsores are likely to develop in places like:
- Back of the head
- Ear
- Spine
- Lower back
- Buttocks
- Hips
- Ankles and knees
- Shoulder blades
Nursing Home Residents Are Vulnerable to Developing Bedsores
Nursing home residents are more susceptible to developing bedsores for reasons such as:
Aging
The elderly have thinner and fragile skin that can easily develop sores.
Lack of Pain Receptors
It is common to find the elderly with nerve disorders that make it hard for the resident to notice any discomfort arising from the sores. This aggravates the likelihood of suffering from severe bedsores.
Incontinence
Residents with incontinence are more likely to develop bedsore injuries due to the moisture associated with the condition.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition increases the chances of developing bedsores and makes it harder for them to heal.
Diabetes
Conditions such as diabetes can skyrocket wound development or make the existing sores hard to treat.
For a free legal consultation with a Nashville Bedsores Lawyer serving Nashville, call (800) 842-6336
Bedsores Imply the Nursing Home Was Negligent
Residents should not remain in one position for a long time without moving. Whether in bed, on a couch, or in a wheelchair, staying in one position puts them at risk of developing sores. Nursing home caregivers must be well versed with skills and techniques to prevent bedsores, including:
- Repositioning the resident
- Helping residents lie in a way that reduces pressure on areas likely to develop sores
- Ensure that the resident’s beddings and clothing are dry and comfortable
Caregivers have a responsibility to assess every resident’s skin and find areas that may be developing bedsores. The staff may be considered negligent if they fail to monitor residents or fail to exercise the duty of care. If a nursing home staff member notices skin tears or sores, they must notify a physician as soon as possible. Failure to report the issue in good time amounts to negligence, and it is actionable.
Nursing homes have a duty to assess every resident’s risk for sores and develop a prevention plan for them. One common way of doing this is by the use of the Braden scale to predict a patient’s likelihood to develop bedsores. Factors such as a resident’s mobility, ability to sense pain, nutritional status, underlying medical conditions, and mental status should be considered.
If a nursing home fails to assess a resident’s likelihood of developing bedsores and fails to take any preventive measures, the nursing home can be held liable in a civil lawsuit.
Nashville Nashville Bedsores Lawyer Near Me (800) 842-6336
We Will Help You File a Bedsore Lawsuit
If your loved one develops pressure ulcers due to staff or a facility’s negligence, you may have legal recourse to recover compensation. A Nashville bedsores lawyer can help you build a strong case by gathering the appropriate documentation needed for the case. We can help with:
- Documenting the severity of the sores
- Obtaining a performance report of the staff involved in the care of your loved one
- Seeking an explanation of measures taken to care for your loved one
- Obtaining copies of any past allegations regarding the facility’s negligence
Once the investigation is completed, our legal team will file a lawsuit to recover compensation for the injuries, damages, or other losses. Recoverable damages may include:
- Medical costs, for both current and future treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of relocating to another nursing home
- Funeral costs in case of death of a loved one
Click to contact our Nashville Bedsores Lawyers today
Let Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Seek Justice for Your Loved One
If your loved one suffered injuries as a result of untreated bedsores, a Nashville bedsores lawyer could help. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 842-6336 for a free case evaluation. You will not be required to pay any upfront fees. We will only get paid when we have recovered your loved one’s compensation.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
