Bedsores are skin wounds that can damage tissue, muscles, or tendons. They often occur because a patient, such as a nursing home resident, is not sufficiently mobile. If not promptly treated, bedsores can lead to more severe injuries or even a fatal infection.
Nursing home staff and caregivers have a legal duty of care to observe and treat patients with pre-existing mobility issues to reduce the risk of developing bedsores. Inadequate preventative measures could lead to bedsores in Bridgeport nursing homes and indicate neglect or abuse.
You should speak with a lawyer who can investigate the situation when you believe that your loved one’s bedsores were caused by neglect. The skilled nursing home abuse attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna can determine whether negligence has occurred while actively safeguarding your loved one’s rights to prevent further risk of harm.
Bedsores can occur when there is insufficient blood flow to the skin. Prolonged exposure to excessive pressure on the skin and tissue can cause painful and dangerous bedsores.
Patients who are bedridden, wheelchair bound, or have existing medical conditions that inhibit their range of movement may develop bedsores even if the nursing home medical staff takes steps to alleviate risk factors. Bedsores may also signal neglect or abuse at the retirement home.
Bedsore injuries in Bridgeport assisted living facilities fall into four categories:
If the bedsores progress to the most dangerous category, stage four, the patient may experience extreme pain and could be at risk for life-threatening infections. Nursing home caretakers must address bedsores promptly to prevent further complications.
While minor bedsores may initially go undetected by nursing home staff, facility workers who adhere to their legal duty of care and properly care for patients can catch these injuries before they escalate. Inadequate nutrition and hydration, failure to reposition at-risk patients frequently, or not regularly changing the patient’s bedding or clothing are examples of negligence that could lead to bedsores in Bridgeport nursing homes.
Failure to address and treat bedsores may also indicate negligence by a senior care facility or its staff. If an individual has bedsores due to suspected nursing home abuse or neglect, the nursing home may be liable.
Any staff member who caused or contributed to a person’s injury could also be liable. The injured claimant could receive financial compensation for their treatment, ongoing medical bills, and emotional damages such as pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has suffered bedsores at a nursing home, the physical and emotional consequences can be tremendous. Bedsores can quickly worsen and cause secondary medical conditions, so treatment may impose a severe financial burden.
The lawyers at Berkowitz Hanna are committed to obtaining just and fair compensation for our clients. If you believe you have grounds to file a legal claim for bedsores in Bridgeport nursing homes, contact us as soon as possible to ascertain your legal rights. Call our office today to schedule a one-on-one legal consultation with a dedicated attorney.
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