With advancements in science and medicine, lifespan is increasing. This has also led to an increase in the number of nursing homes for the elderly keeping in line with higher needs. In New York state alone, there are more than 600 nursing homes and approximately 105,000 elderly persons seek care and reside there.
However, with increasing demand and lack of a trained workforce, among other challenges, negligence is often common in these nursing homes. Negligence comes in many ways and forms, and we recently shared the details about the components of negligence. In such a case, it is best to seek support from a nursing home abuse lawyer.
One of the most common outcomes of nursing home neglect is bedsores. Here’s all you need to know about it.
What are bedsores?
Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, refer to damaged skin that occurs as a result of ongoing pressure on the soft tissue of the skin. Bedsores occur very quickly and are often associated with a lot of pain. In fact, they’re quite difficult to heal.
Who suffers from bedsores?
Bedsores most commonly occur in people whose mobility is restricted and are unable to turn their side on the bed or the wheelchair. Hence, bedsores are most often found on the tail bone, shoulder blades, ankles, and heels.
Therefore, the elderly, and those in need of special medical care and attention are often more prone to bedsores. In addition to mobility issues, the elderly have thin skin, which makes them more vulnerable to bedsores.
Are bedsores avoidable?
Yes, with the right care, bedsores can be prevented. Importantly, if bedsores happen in a nursing home, they can be a sign of neglect. To ensure that the patient does not get sores bedsores, the nursing home staff should frequently change the position of immobile patients as well as make sure that they are clean and dry.
Who is liable?
The responsibility of care lies with the nursing home. Hence, if a nursing home resident is suffering from bedsores, it is often a result of staff negligence and the nursing home is liable. Reach out to a nursing home negligence lawyer if your loved member who is living in a nursing home has bed sores.
Seeking legal assistance
If you observe signs of neglect, a nursing home negligence lawyer is recommended to suggest the way forward. Your nursing home abuse lawyer would be best placed to advise you on the claim to file as per the specifics of the case. Moreover, the lawyer will make sure that you’re compensated beyond the medical costs incurred. They will file a claim which will cover for the physical, mental and emotional trauma caused to you and your loved ones as a result of the nursing home’s negligence.
If you or someone you know has been abused or neglected in a nursing home and needs a nursing home negligence lawyer, contact us today. Reach out to Siler & Ingber by either calling us on 1-877-529-4343 or completing our online form on this page to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with one of our experienced nursing home abuse lawyers.