Pressure ulcers, commonly called bedsores, are significant wounds that can develop over time due to constant pressure on the skin. Prolonged pressure reduces blood flow and damages skin and surrounding tissues, causing open wounds and sores. With proper treatment, these wounds can heal. Without adequate treatment, they can fester and cause potentially devastating infections. Proper care can avoid the development of bedsores in the first place.
Unfortunately, bedsores are common in vulnerable and ill individuals, especially older adults, in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings. In many instances, bedsores may be a sign of abuse or neglect.
At Jebaily Law Firm, our South Carolina bedsore injury attorneys want to help you and your family identify when bedsores are a sign of a serious issue and help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other losses related to inadequate care.
If you are wondering whether you can sue for bedsores, speak with our experienced attorneys, who can answer your questions and outline your legal options for seeking compensation.
Contact Jebaily Law Firm today to arrange a free legal consultation.
Why You Need Help from Our South Carolina Bedsore Attorneys
Bedsores are more common in individuals with compromised immune systems, older adults, and those with physical disabilities with limited mobility, such as people who are bedridden or rely on a wheelchair. Vulnerable individuals may be unable to speak up to advocate for themselves, so they need help from an experienced and committed South Carolina bedsore attorney.
At Jebaily Law Firm, our bedsore injury attorneys understand the complex factors that can affect nursing home abuse and neglect cases involving bedsore injuries. We work with injured individuals and families to provide comprehensive legal assistance. We are ready to advise you about your legal rights and outline your options for holding caregivers and facilities accountable for their actions. We aim to pursue meaningful compensation for the injuries and related losses and obtain the most favorable outcome for the injured person’s situation.
When Does a Bedsore Rise to the Level of Abuse or Neglect?
Bedsores occur because of constant pressure on the skin, restricting blood flow and damaging skin and other tissues, according to the Mayo Clinic. These sores can also be caused by friction when the skin rubs against the clothing or bedding as a person attempts to shift their weight or by shearing when two surfaces move in opposite directions.
Bedsores may indicate that an older adult or vulnerable individual is experiencing neglect because the sores are caused by constant pressure due to a failure to turn or move the individual. If a person gets bedsores, it may mean that movements or adjustments to prevent the development of sores and other injuries are not conducted routinely.
Multiple bedsores and pressure ulcers in advanced stages, such as stages three and four, may signal nursing home neglect because these sores have grown and festered untreated, showing that nursing home staff members and medical professionals may not be taking proper measures to prevent bedsores or treat these wounds.
Where on the Body Do Bedsores Most Commonly Occur?
For individuals who are bedridden or need a wheelchair, there are numerous areas where bedsores or pressure ulcers may be common. These areas include:
- Tailbone
- Buttocks
- Shoulder blades
- Spine
- Backs of arms and legs
- The back or sides of the head
- Hips
- Heels
- Ankles
- Behind the knees
Bedsore prevention starts with routine monitoring of vulnerable patients and frequent position changes to minimize skin stress in one area.
What Are the Stages of Bedsores?
There are four stages of bedsores or pressure sores, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These stages refer to the severity of the wound and the risk of infection and other complications.
- Stage one – Stage one is the initial appearance of a blemish or sore and is the least severe stage. The skin can appear red or pink, but no open wounds exist. Often, these sores feel tender to the touch.
- Stage two – Stage two wounds are still shallow and appear pink or red, but there may also be some skin loss, irritation, abrasions, and blisters.
- Stage three – These bedsores produce noticeable wounds and sometimes deep depressions in the skin. The wound has progressed to the stage where the damage impacts not just the skin’s surface layers but also the fatty layers or hypodermis.
- Stage four – Stage four pressure ulcers are the most significant. Damage penetrates all layers of the skin and can expose bones, muscles, and tendons.
Stage three and four sores are severe and, when left untreated, can become infected, leading to sepsis and potentially death. Bedsores are not simply superficial wounds. They are medically significant and lead to life-altering and life-ending complications.
Can a Nursing Home Be Financially Responsible for Injuries Related to Bedsores?
If bedsores occur due to the careless actions of a nursing home, long-term care facility, healthcare provider, or other caregiver, the facility or provider could be responsible for compensating the victim.
Nursing home abuse can occur when harm is perpetrated against a vulnerable resident by a facility or caregiver. Neglect, a form of abuse, occurs when caregivers and staff systematically fail to care for residents by failing to provide medical treatment, providing insufficient care, or failing to provide for the medical, hygienic, or basic needs of a resident.
People can hold careless facilities and caregivers accountable for abuse and neglect and pursue compensation for bedsores that result from negligence. The money an individual can recover from a bedsore lawsuit settlement depends on the situation’s circumstances and the severity of the injuries. Our bedsore injury attorneys can review the circumstances of your situation to determine the legal options for holding a nursing home financially responsible for their negligent actions.
Fighting for the Rights of South Carolina Nursing Home Victims Who Suffer Bedsores
At Jebaily Law Firm, our South Carolina bedsore injury attorneys fight to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals and their families. We advocate for nursing home residents and will not give up until we have done everything possible to achieve the most favorable result. We have an impressive track record of helping South Carolina injury victims recover the maximum compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has developed bedsores and you believe careless nursing home caregivers are to blame, it is time to discuss your situation with a bedsore lawyer at Jebaily Law Firm. Let our compassionate team provide the guidance and support you need to navigate this challenging time.
Talk to Our South Carolina Bedsore Injury Attorneys Now
Reach out to our South Carolina bedsore injury attorneys today. Contact our office now to arrange a free consultation. We are determined to fight for you.
