Why Bed Sores Might be a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse

Bed sores, or pressure ulcers, can be a warning sign of potential nursing home abuse. These sores occur when a person remains in one position for an extended period, leading to reduced blood flow in certain areas of the body.

While bed sores can happen in any healthcare setting, they are particularly common in nursing homes, where residents may be confined to their beds or chairs most of the time. Staff should regularly adjust residents in such situations to avoid pressure ulcers, but negligence and inadequate care can contribute to the development and worsening of bed sores.

If you suspect that a loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse due to the presence of bed sores, never wait to take action. Contacting a Bellingham nursing home injury attorney near you can protect the rights of your loved one and seek justice from nursing homes that provide substandard care.

How Do Bed Sores Develop?

To understand why bed sores can be a sign of nursing home abuse, it helps to understand how they develop. Bed sores happen due to prolonged pressure and friction on the skin, typically in areas with bony prominences, such as the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone. When a person is immobile or cannot shift their weight regularly, the constant pressure on these areas can damage tissue.
The development of bed sores typically occurs in four stages:

Stage 1

In the early stage, the skin may appear red and feel warm to the touch. It may also be painful or itchy. If detected at this stage, intervention and treatment can prevent further progression.

Stage 2

The skin begins to break down, forming an open wound or blister. The area may become more painful and may start to ooze fluid.

Stage 3

The wound deepens, exposing underlying layers of tissue. The risk of infection increases, and the wound may have a foul odor.

Stage 4

The wound extends to the muscles, tendons, and even bones. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove dead tissue and promote healing.

While Stage 1 bed sores are common, the right treatment can often address the issue and avoid more harmful injuries. Unfortunately, this does not always happen in nursing homes.

Bed Sores are Often Preventable with Proper Nursing Home Care

Nursing home staff have a duty of care to their residents, which includes regularly repositioning immobile patients, providing adequate nutrition and hydration, and maintaining proper hygiene practices. This should be part of the protocol regarding residents who cannot adjust or move themselves.

Preventive measures that nursing homes should practice for bed sores include:

Regular repositioning: The nursing home staff should regularly reposition immobile residents to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas. Someone should do this at least every two hours.
Use of specialized mattresses and cushions: Specialized mattresses and cushions can help distribute pressure evenly and reduce the risk of bed sores.
Good nutrition and hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Adequate intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals can promote skin health and help prevent the development of bed sores.
Regular skin inspections: Nursing home staff should conduct regular skin inspections to identify any signs of early-stage bed sores and take appropriate action.

When Bed Sores Happen, it Can be a Sign of Nursing Home Neglect

When bed sores occur in nursing home residents, it can be a sign of neglect or inadequate care. Negligence can manifest in various ways, including:

Failure to reposition: If nursing home staff fail to reposition immobilized residents regularly, allowing them to remain in one position for extended periods, it can lead to the development of bed sores.
Lack of proper hygiene: Proper hygiene practices, such as keeping the skin clean and dry, prevent bed sores. If nursing home staff neglect these practices, it can contribute to the development and worsening of bed sores.
Inadequate nutrition and hydration: Malnutrition and dehydration can weaken the skin's integrity and make residents more susceptible to bed sores. If nursing home staff fail to provide adequate nutrition and hydration, it can exacerbate the risk of these sores.
Understaffing and inadequate training: Nursing homes that are understaffed or have staff members without proper training in proper care techniques may struggle to provide the necessary attention and care to prevent bed sores.

Severe Bed Sores Can Indicate a Lack of Medical Treatment

In some cases, severe bed sores can indicate a lack of medical treatment in nursing homes. If bed sores are not promptly and properly addressed, they can lead to serious complications, including:

Infection: When bed sores progress to later stages, they can become infected. Infections can spread quickly and lead to more severe health problems.
Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a common infection in the tissues and skin surrounding a bed sore. It can cause redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected area and may require antibiotic treatment.
Sepsis: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can occur when an infection in one part of the body spreads throughout the bloodstream. Severe bed sores can increase the risk of sepsis, which requires immediate medical attention.
Gangrene: In rare cases, severe bed sores can lead to tissue death, known as gangrene. Gangrene is a serious condition that requires immediate medical intervention, including surgical removal of dead tissue.

Necessary Treatment for Bed Sores

When bed sores occur, seeking necessary treatment promptly to prevent further complications is essential. Initial treatment for bed sores typically includes wound care, such as cleaning the wound with mild soap and water and covering it with appropriate dressings to promote healing.

Then, nursing home staff might engage in debridement, which is the removal of dead or damaged tissue to facilitate healing. Antibiotics or other medications might be necessary to treat and prevent infection, and medications or other interventions might help manage pain from bed sores.

All of this treatment should be standard in nursing homes, and there is no excuse for neglecting residents who need bed sore treatment.

Risks of Infections and Fatalities from Bed Sores

Bed sores not only cause physical pain and discomfort but also carry the risk of infections and fatalities. When untreated or poorly managed, bed sores can lead to serious complications, including infections and life-threatening sepsis. In severe cases when bed sores become advanced, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove dead tissue, close the wound, or provide additional support for healing.

Without necessary treatment of serious bed sore complications, these wounds and related infections can become fatal. Nursing home fatalities from bed sores are usually the result of neglect or abuse, as by this stage, staff and medical professionals should certainly be aware of the wounds and provide proper life-saving care.

The risks of infections and fatalities associated with bed sores highlight the importance of proper prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment. When this does not happen, any affected families should take legal action to hold nursing homes fully accountable.

Was it Nursing Home Neglect ? A Nursing Home Injury Attorney Can Investigate

If you suspect that your loved one has suffered from nursing home neglect or abuse due to the presence of bed sores, it is crucial to consult a nursing home injury attorney. They can investigate the circumstances surrounding the development of bed sores and determine if neglect or abuse has occurred.

A nursing home injury attorney can gather evidence, including collecting medical records, facility inspection reports, and other relevant documents to build a strong case. Attorneys can interview staff members, witnesses, and other residents to gather firsthand accounts of the care provided at the nursing home.

Attorneys may consult medical experts to assess the severity of bed sores and determine if they were preventable. They can identify the liable parties, such as nursing home staff, administrators, or even the facility itself, and hold them accountable for the neglect or abuse.

Holding Nursing Homes Accountable for Harmful Neglect and Abuse

When nursing home neglect or abuse happens, holding the responsible parties accountable for their actions is important for several reasons. Filing a legal claim against a nursing home can help:

Seek justice: Legal action can ensure those responsible for neglect or abuse are legally accountable for their actions.
Protect others: By taking legal action, you can help prevent similar incidents from happening to other residents in the nursing home.
Obtain compensation: Filing a legal claim allows you to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages from neglect or abuse.
Promote change: Lawsuits against nursing homes can bring attention to systemic issues within the facility and prompt necessary changes for improved resident care.

Nursing homes want to avoid damage to their reputations and bottom lines. They might fight against bed sore claims, so you should have the right legal advocate on your side from the beginning of the process.

Never Wait to Consult a Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer

A nursing home abuse lawyer can:

Explain your legal rights: Lawyers can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s bed sores and explain your rights and the legal options available to seek justice for your loved one.
Build a strong case: Experienced lawyers have the knowledge and resources to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
Negotiate settlements: Lawyers can represent your interests in negotiation with insurance companies or the nursing home to secure fair compensation.
Advocate for your loved one: Lawyers will be your advocate, fighting for your loved one's rights and ensuring their voice is heard, even if they have cognitive decline and cannot speak up for themselves.

File the Proper Legal Claims

When pursuing a nursing home abuse case, you must file the proper legal claims within the designated timeframes. Your nursing home abuse lawyer can determine the proper cause of action and file the necessary claims, which may include the following.

Personal Injury Claim

This claim seeks compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by the neglect or abuse.

Medical Malpractice Claim

If the neglect or abuse involved improper medical treatment, a medical malpractice claim may be appropriate against the medical staff at the nursing home.

Wrongful Death Claim

In the tragic event that your loved one passed away due to nursing home neglect or abuse, a wrongful death claim can seek justice for their untimely death and compensation for the surviving family members.

Filing the proper legal claims is an essential step towards seeking justice and obtaining compensation for the harm to your loved one. Do not delay in starting the process by scheduling a free case evaluation with a trusted attorney.

Seek Compensation for Your Loved One's Injuries

A nursing home abuse claim seeks compensation for your loved one's injuries. The potential damages you may recover include compensation for current and future medical expenses for treating the bed sores and any associated complications.

Your attorney can also seek damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life caused by neglect or abuse. If you had to take time off work to care for your loved one or if their injuries impacted their ability to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings.

In a wrongful death claim, you may seek damages for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

By seeking compensation, you can help alleviate the financial burden of the neglect or abuse and focus on supporting your loved one's recovery and well-being.

Consult a Trusted Nursing Home Injury Lawyer in Your Area Today

Christopher C. Walton, Personal Injury Lawyer in Seattle — Christopher C. Walton, Murrieta Nursing Home Injury Attorney

If you suspect your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse due to their painful bed sores, consult a trusted nursing home injury lawyer in your area as soon as possible. They can provide you with the necessary guidance and support throughout the legal process and seek justice for your loved one.

Contact a Bellingham personal injury attorney near you who handles nursing home abuse cases today to protect the rights of your loved one and hold responsible nursing homes accountable for their actions. Take action now to ensure your loved one receives the proper care and attention they deserve.

Consultations are free, so contact a law firm near you.