Pressure Ulcers & Bedsores in Nursing Homes

California Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys

Bedsores, also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are one of the most common signs of nursing home neglect. These sores form when there is unrelieved pressure on different areas of the body, typically as a result of sitting or lying in one position for prolonged periods of time. To prevent bedsores, nursing homes and assisted living facility staff should ensure that bedridden and wheelchair-bound residents are properly and periodically rotated or moved. When they fail to do so, and an individual develops bedsores as a result, the caregiver or facility can be held legally responsible.

If your elderly loved one developed bedsores or suffered from advanced, untreated pressure ulcers while being cared for by a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility, Lanzone Morgan can help. Our California bedsores attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of families throughout the state, recovering fair financial compensation for injured seniors and their loved ones. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you hold the liable party accountable for the pain, suffering, and financial costs associated with your loved one’s bedsore injuries.

Call (562) 512-5505 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.

What Are Bedsores?

Bedsores are very painful, open wounds that form on the body as a result of prolonged, unrelieved pressure. As blood flow to various areas of the body decreases due to extended pressure, painful ulcers form. Left untreated, these ulcers can progress to more advanced stages, which may lead to significant health complications and, in the worst cases, death.

Individuals who are most at risk of developing bedsores include those who are bedridden, wheelchair-bound, or have physical limitations that prevent them from moving frequently. Bedsores most frequently form on specific pressure points and bony areas, including the back of the head, tailbone, sacrum, back, shoulders, elbows, hips, and heels.

What Are the Different Stages of Bedsores?

There are four stages of bedsores, beginning from mildest to most severe:

• Stage One: Persistent redness of the skin begins to occur (without any skin breakage) and does not go away even when pressure is relieved. Skin may feel warm or hot to the touch.
• Stage Two: Skin begins to thin and there may be a visible wound, which could appear as a blister, scrape, or open sore.
• Stage Three: Damage below the surface of the skin causes an indentation, or “crater-like” appearance, near the site of the wound.
• Stage Four: There is a large, obvious wound and severe damage to the skin. This is the most advanced stage and often results in serious, life-threatening complications.

As bedsores progress to more advanced stages, the risk of morbidity increases. Bedsores are also associated with numerous complications, such as abscesses, reduced mobility, and various infections, including bacterial infection, cellulitis, and sepsis, among others.

How to Recognize a Bedsore

Because bedsores have such great potential to result in very serious or even fatal injury, it is imperative that they be identified and treated as soon as possible.

Common warning signs of pressure sores include:

• Changes in skin texture, color, and temperature
• Tender areas of skin
• Swelling
• Drainage of pus
• Foul odor

Are Bedsores a Sign of Neglect?

At any stage, bedsores are a sign of neglect. In the simplest terms, bedsores are caused by unrelieved pressure on various areas of the body, which commonly results from caregivers and nursing home staff failing to properly rotate residents. However, bedsores are also associated with numerous other risk factors and concerns, many of which point to abuse and neglect.

Some issues associated with bedsores that could indicate nursing home abuse and/or neglect include:

• Dehydration and malnutrition, leading to weakness and immobility
• Poor skin hygiene, resulting in failure to detect bedsores in early stages
• Use of physical restraints or drugs to subdue residents
• Prolonged sitting or lying on hard surfaces
• Understaffing of nursing homes and other assisted living facilities
• Lack of attention to individual resident’s needs

Untreated and/or advanced bedsores are generally always a sign of nursing home abuse. No resident should ever suffer severe bedsores or related complications, including death, while in the care of an assisted living facility.

Liability for Bedsores in Nursing Homes

In many cases, nursing homes and other elder care facilities are legally responsible for bedsores. These facilities have a responsibility to properly care for residents’ needs and prevent severe injuries. Failure to do so for any reason could constitute negligence.

At Lanzone Morgan, our California bedsores lawyers conduct exhaustive investigations to determine exactly who is liable for your loved one’s injuries and/or death, whether it’s an individual caregiver or the facility that employed them. We have extensive experience navigating complex nursing home abuse and neglect cases and have successfully recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.

Our firm can help you seek fair financial compensation for medical expenses associated with treatment for nursing home bedsores and related complications, as well as additional damages, including pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, lost income, and more.

Contact us online or call (562) 512-5505 to schedule a complimentary case evaluation with our team today. There are no legal fees for you unless we win your case!