Of the injuries a loved one can suffer at a nursing home or long term care facility, there is nothing more upsetting than nursing home bed sores resulting from nursing home negligence. In most cases, bed sores are easily avoidable if the resident receives proper care from the caregiver. However, mistreatment, nursing home negligence and simply laziness have caused bedsores and pressure sores to become one of the most frequent injuries loved ones suffer in nursing homes throughout Kansas City.
At Bautista LeRoy, we fight every day to ensure there are less residents that develop bed sores and other pressure injuries in nursing homes due to nursing home neglect. We represent nursing home residents and their families throughout Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Benton County, and St. Louis, in cases involving bedsores and pressure ulcers in nursing homes resulting from improper care. Through these lawsuits against nursing homes, we have been able to help change the policies, procedures and care that is given to resident to prevent bedsores.
Kansas City Nursing Home Abuse Resulting in Bed Sores
When bedsores and pressure injuries in nursing homes do develop, most of the time it is the result of lack of training by the nursing home staff, failure to monitor residents or malnutrition. By holding these nursing homes accountable for their negligence, Bautista LeRoy strives to not only recover money for our client's injuries, but also to change the behavior of the facility. It is our hope that these lawsuits will prevent other residents from suffering from bedsores due to continued neglect.
How do Pressure Sores Develop and What are the Early Signs to Detect Bed Sores from Nursing Home Neglect
Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, develop when there is prolonged pressure to various parts of the body, including: tailbone, heels, hips and buttocks. Further, many nursing home residents who are confined to wheelchairs suffer pressure sores on their buttocks from sitting in addition to pressure ulcers on their elbows, shoulders and the backs of their knees.
If you have a loved one in a nursing home, knowing the early signs and symptoms of a bed sore can be invaluable information. Be aware of the bedsore stages; most pressure ulcers that are caught at Stage 1 or 2 can be treated and reversed. According to Johns Hopkins the areas you should monitor are the tailbone, heels, hips, and or buttocks. Learn the stages of bed sores listed below to help prevent serious damage
- Stage 1: Red or pink spots on the skin that are warm to the touch. For individuals with darker skin the area may have a tint of blue or purple.
- Stage 2: The individual may complain of significant pain accompanied by the area having an open sore, scrape, scab or blister along with additional discoloration.
- Stage 3: You will notice a crater-like appearance on the area due to tissue damage below the surface.
- Stage 4: At this stage the individual is at risk of infection. The area will appear to have significant damage including a large wound. The infection can spread to muscle, tendons, joints, and bone.
If you find that your loved one has one or more of these bedsore or pressure sore symptoms make sure they are seen by a doctor and wound care nurse immediately. When bed sores are not treated, they can progress rapidly and cause the loss of a limb or death. If the bed sore does not resolve or enters Stage 3 or Stage 4, please call Bautista LeRoy to help at .
Summary
Families expect nursing homes to take care of their elderly loved ones. These facilities are meant to assist elders who have now limitation because of their age and limitations. Sadly, this is not the case for so many nursing homes. Due to understaffing and negligent staff, elder residents suffer from different types of health issues. One of those is painful bedsores.
Victims and their families can seek compensation, especially if the bedsore has severely affected the health of a resident and the root cause was negligence. The legal team of Bautista LeRoy LLC has been dealing with nursing home negligence cases. For years, our attorneys have represented injured elders against these facilities and secured millions of settlements for them to recover.
Pressure ulcers or bedsores develop due to the prolonged pressure that cuts off circulation to vulnerable areas, such as:
- Tailbone
- Heels
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Elbows and shoulders (wheelchair users)
Discovering bedsores early can prevent further complications and health issues. Here are the early warnings you must notice:
- Stage 1: Warm red, pink, blue or purple discoloration
- Stage 2: Open sore, blister or scab with pain
- Stage 3: Visible crater due
- Stage 4: Infection spreading to muscle or bone
Immediate medical attention is critical and the guidance of an attorney can help you get proper compensation for elder residents. Should you wish to discuss a case, reach out to the professionals of Bautista LeRoy LLC at www.bautistaleroy.com or 816-221-0382.
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores are wounds that develop over time if someone stays in one position for a long period of time. It could affect different parts of the body and cause infections if not addressed right away:
- Heels
- Hips
- Tailbone
- Elbows
Are Bedsores Always A Sign Of Neglect?
It could possibly be caused by negligence. Elders who have health problems need assistance for regular repositioning and cleaning their bedding. If the nursing home staff fails in these duties, it could result in painful bedsores.
What Should Families Watch For?
- Complaints of pain
- Signs of withdrawal
- Look for redness
- Unusual swelling
- Open wounds
- Complaints of pain
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Depending on the situation, there could be multiple liable parties:
- Nursing home management
- Individual staff members
- Physicians
How Do I Know If I Have A Case?
If an elder loved one's condition is worsening and they have developed serious health issues that threaten their life. Legal authorities gave rights to families to take legal action and hold the facility accountable for their failures in upholding the standard of care.
What Type Of Compensation Is Available?
Bedsores can have a serious impact on the health of elderly residents. They could suffer pain, and in worse situations, complications can cause death. Elder victims and their families can pursue compensation for:
- Medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death
