Bedsores

The Facts About Bedsores

Bedsores are common with neglected patients in nursing home facilities. They can be extremely painful and can cause further issues down the line. Each year, approximately 60,000 people die from complications related to bedsores. Nursing home bedsores are a symptom of patient neglect.

Nursing Home Staff Neglect

Nursing home staff must follow proper procedures to prevent patient neglect. This does not always happen, and bedsores are proof of neglect. If you or a loved one have these sores, talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer.

Facts About Bedsores:

What Are Bedsores?

Bedsores are also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers. They are an injury to the skin and underlying tissue.

How Do Bedsores Happen?

Bedsores happen from prolonged pressure on the skin. Bony areas of the body are common areas to develop pressure ulcers. Pressure and the weight of the body cut off the blood supply, creating open wounds.

Bedsore Symptoms

Warning signs and symptoms of pressure ulcers include:

• unusual skin color and/or texture
• swelling
• oozing
• area of the skin that is cooler or hotter to the touch
• tender areas of skin

How Bad Can Bedsores Get?

Bedsores are incredibly dangerous. Additionally, they can take a long time to heal. Untreated pressure ulcers can lead to further complications and even death. Even with treatment, some decubitus ulcers may never heal. Learn more about pressure ulcers from the Mayo Clinic website.

Stages Of Bedsores

There are four stages of bedsores. They are as follows:
Stage 1 – This stage is the mildest stage. A red, patchy area begins to form. Common symptoms include itching and burning.
Stage 2 – This stage happens when the wound spreads below the skin level. The skin blisters or an open wound appears. At this stage, the wound is painful.
Stage 3 – This stage happens when there is a crater in the skin. There may also be an unpleasant odor. This indicates a serious infection and it is painful. The skin is blackening and dead.
Stage 4 – This stage shows the skin fully black and completely dead. The infection to the skin can affect bones, tendons and muscles. Additionally, this stage requires emergency surgery.

When To Call A Lawyer

Bedsores are common to nursing home patients as most are restricted to their beds. Furthermore, pressure ulcers can indicate other forms of neglect from the staff.
Stage 3 and 4 usually indicate severe negligence and compensation may be available. It is the responsibility of the staff and nursing home to ensure each patient is properly cared for. If the staff is negligent and bedsores are at Stage 3 or 4, there may be grounds for a lawsuit. Discuss your situation with a nursing home neglect lawyer near you.

National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel

The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Consensus Conference revealed the majority of medical professionals believe pressure ulcers are typically avoidable. Therefore, nursing homes can be held accountable for bedsores.

Philadelphia Nursing Home Injury Law Firm

Elder abuse and nursing home negligence are serious matters. If you suspect your loved one was the victim of nursing home negligence, call us today. We provide free legal consultations. You never pay us unless we recover money in your case.

At Kane & Silverman, we believe in helping injured people. We are licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with offices in Philadelphia and Marlton.

Sue The Nursing Home

Nursing homes have the duty of care to provide proper training of their medical staff. Negligence will not be tolerated and must be punished to prevent future harm. Count on us to get the compensation you deserve and protect others from the same neglect.