When people develop bedsores in DeLand nursing homes, it is a clear signal that they are suffering from neglect. A patient receiving proper care will not develop bedsores, also called pressure sores or decubitus ulcers.
A patient or their loved one could bring a claim for nursing home neglect and or wrongful death against the facility. The experienced nursing home neglect attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright are so well-known for our strong advocacy that other lawyers recommend us to their friends and family members for nursing home abuse and neglect claims.
Understanding the Cause and Impact of Bedsores
Bedsores happen when skin breaks down due to pressure and friction. They are a risk for anyone who is bed-bound or must use a wheelchair. People with limited sensation or poor blood circulation are also at increased risk.
Bedsores tend to develop around bony parts of the body, like the hip, tailbone, knee, or elbow. They are often extremely painful for the patient. Once a bedsore is established, it can become infected and lead to sepsis and even death.
The attorneys at The Florida Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers have pursued numerous cases against nursing homes when patients developed bedsores while under their care. We have an impressive track record of securing substantial settlements or verdicts in these cases.
Stages of Bedsore Development
Bedsores are classified according to how deeply the wound has penetrated the patient’s tissues. Stage I is the mildest case, when only the outermost layer of skin is impacted. This stage usually presents as a red or purple spot and may be warmer or colder than the surrounding skin.
At Stage II, the sore involves several layers of skin and may look like a blister or crater. At Stage III, all layers of skin have been damaged, and the subcutaneous fat may be visible. Stage IV involves muscle and sometimes bone. Any bedsore that progresses beyond Stage I can lead to serious complications.
Pressure Sores Equal Neglect
Bedsores are easily preventable. Nursing home staff must reposition a patient at risk frequently, ideally several times per day. They must check the patient’s body for developing pressure sores frequently and take immediate steps if they notice discolored or inflamed skin.
When nursing home staff catch a developing bedsore early, it can be treated by using foam pads or cushions. Staff should:
- Avoid putting pressure on the affected area
- Remove any irritants that might cause friction
- Boost the patient’s nutrition and hydration to promote healing
When nursing home patients receive appropriate treatment promptly, bedsores often heal within a few days.
The federal agencies that regulate the quality of patient care in hospitals and nursing homes classify bedsores as “never events.” That means a patient receiving proper care would never develop a bedsore. The fact that a patient suffered a never event is proof of nursing home negligence, and our DeLand attorneys are skilled at proving it, forcing facilities to take responsibility, and obtaining damages for the patient or their loved ones.
How Do You Take Action Against the Facility?
When you suspect a loved one has or is developing a bedsore, bring it to the attention of clinical staff and the nursing home administrator immediately. Follow up with the administrator in writing. If you do not learn of the bedsore until it has reached Stage 2 or worse, contact a nursing home neglect attorney immediately.
If your loved one is still a patient at the facility, a legal professional can intervene to get the patient moved and report the event to state and federal regulators. They could also file a lawsuit seeking financial damages for nursing home neglect. If your loved one has died of a bedsore and other effects of neglect, a DeLand attorney from our firm could file a wrongful death lawsuit against the nursing home.
Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(e) requires surviving loved ones to file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of the death. When the patient survives and the lawsuit alleges nursing home neglect, the patient or their loved one must file suit within two years of the injury. The discovery of the bedsore would start the two-year timeframe.
Hold a Nursing HomeAccountable for BedsoresWith the Help of a DeLand Attorney
Patients should never develop bedsores in DeLand nursing homes. If they do, forcing the facility to take responsibility is essential.
Colling Gilbert Wright offers free consultations, and we never take payment until we win your case. Get started today!