Pressure ulcers, more commonly known as bedsores, may sound like minor injuries, but they are not. When the skin does not receive the appropriate amount of blood flow or oxygen, the skin becomes damaged. This happens when the skin is placed under a significant amount of pressure for an extended period of time. Bedsores are extremely common in nursing homes due to the fact that a senior’s skin is so delicate and because the mobility of residents is often limited. Still, there is never any excuse for bedsores to form. If your loved one is suffering from this type of injury, it may be a case of nursing home abuse or neglect. When that is the case, you can file a claim against the facility to claim damages for your family member’s injury. A Los Angeles bedsore lawyer can help you claim the maximum damages you deserve.
Nursing Home Staff Members Should Prevent BedsoresThe staff members inside a nursing home have many responsibilities, and making sure their residents do not suffer from bedsores is one of them. Bedsores form when seniors are not repositioned properly, or at appropriate intervals of time. When nursing home residents are left in bed or in a wheelchair, they should generally be repositioned every two hours. Repositioning will relieve the pressure on the skin, allow blood flow and oxygen into the area again, and prevent bedsores. Any time a nursing home staff member does not properly care for a resident by repositioning them, they can be held liable for any bedsores that form as a result. A bedsore attorney in Los Angeles can help.
Where Do Bedsores Appear?Due to the fact that bedsores are most likely to appear on skin that is under pressure for a significant period of time, they generally develop on areas of the body that protrude. The most common places you should check for bedsores are as follows:
While you should check your loved one for bedsores in these areas, nursing home staff members have a legal responsibility to, so they can prevent these sores from forming.
What Complications Arise From Bedsores?Bedsores are very painful, but they can also have catastrophic consequences. As a bedsore develops further, the wound will open and the underlying tissue, muscles, tendons, and joints become damaged. The open wound also leaves a nursing home resident at risk for developing infections, such as sepsis, which can result in a resident’s wrongful death.
Our Bedsore Lawyer in Los Angeles Can Advise on Your CaseIf your loved one has developed bedsores in a nursing home, it is important to take the appropriate steps to ensure it does not happen to anyone else. At Brod Law Firm, our Los Angeles bedsore attorney has held many nursing home facilities throughout California accountable for their negligent actions, and he can help you claim the full damages your family deserves. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to obtain the sound legal advice you need.