Atlanta Bed Sores Lawsuits
NOTE: Our law firm does not handle these cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
Bed sores can be painful and inflict incredible suffering. If you or a loved one has experienced bed sores as a result of negligence at an Atlanta nursing home, you may have the right to seek compensation.
Bed Sores: An Overview
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), bed sores affect more than one in 10 nursing home residents in the United States.
Also called pressure ulcers, bed sores occur when there is prolonged pressure against the skin. The sores are not only painful, but they can lead to infection and life-threatening complications. If the sores are the result of nursing home neglect, you deserve compensation.
Despite federal and state laws and standards for senior care facilities, bedsores are frequent problems in elder care facilities throughout America.
What Are the Causes of Bed Sores?
According to the Mayo Clinic, bed sores typically develop on skin that covers bony areas, such as the hips, heels, shoulder blades, ankles, and tailbone. They also can develop on the lower back or the sides or back of the head.
People who have limited ability to change position or spend most of their time in a bed or chair are susceptible to this problem. Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing bed sores, as are people who experience incontinence.
Three Main Factors That Contribute to the Risk of Bed Sores
There are three main things that contribute to bed sores:
1. Pressure
Continued pressure on any part of your body can decrease essential blood flow to tissues.
The pressure is more likely in areas that are not well protected by fat or muscle,
2. Friction
When fragile skin continually rubs against clothing or bedding, it is more susceptible to injury. If the skin is moist, the damage is even more likely.
3. Shear
Shear is the term for what happened when two surfaces move in opposite directions. For example, if a bed is elevated at the head, a patient might slide down in the bed, irritating the lower back or tailbone.
Most bed sores, which can develop over the course of a few hours or a few days, heal with treatment, but some may never heal completely. You can take steps to help prevent bedsores and help them heal.
Warning Signs of Bed Sores
Warning signs of bed sores include:
- changes in skin texture or color
- swelling
- drainage of pus
- skin that is warmer or cooler than other areas
- skin that is tender to the touch
Severe sores can lead to damage deep within the muscle tissues and bones. Foul smells, fever, and increased redness are signs of infection and indicate the need for immediate medical attention.
What to Do if You Notice Bed Sores
With proper training and supervision, nursing home staff should be aware of the risk of bed sores to elderly and immobile residents and know how to perform the correct steps to prevent them. These steps include turning the patient frequently to limit the pressure, physical therapy, and exercises.
Also, since malnutrition and dehydration can contribute to the severity of sores, the staff needs to be alert to any changes in eating and drinking habits.
Since most bed sores are preventable, their appearance can be a red flag that someone is not receiving an adequate level of care and attention. There is a chance a loved one is being neglected or even abused.
Negligence and Your Bed Sores Injury Claim
In order to win a bed sore injury case in Georgia, you must be able to prove negligence. Our experienced team of attorneys at Hasner Law PC will evaluate your situation and then guide you through your legal options.
Incidents of negligence might include the following:
- Not regularly turning the patient to keep their skin clean and dry.
- Irregular visits to monitor any issues.
- Limited access to the facility for the patient’s family
- Lack of availability of patient records
If you feel that any of these possible signs of negligence apply to you or your loved one, our team will work aggressively on your behalf to help you recover medical costs and gain peace of mind.
Contact An Atlanta Nursing Home Abuse Law Firm for a Free Consultation
Whether bed sores are affecting you or a loved one, we know this is a very difficult time. That’s why we offer a free consultation that allows you to meet our team and enables us to learn how we can best help you. We will gather information, answer your questions, and offer you your options for moving forward with a claim.
