About the Author
Kyle Hambright is a passionate writer proudly representing Pintas and Mullins Law Firm. He has focused his legal career on personal injury cases, and throughout his practice, Kyle has helped people from all walks of life. This determination transpires in his writings as well. His articles translate the complex web of legal jargon into accessible text. Readers not only gain a firm grasp on theory, but they also learn how to put it into practice.
Bedsores in a Nursing Home: You Can Sue
If your loved one developed bedsores during their stay in a nursing home, you may be able to sue the facility, either with them or on their behalf. Bedsores arise due to severe neglect and are entirely preventable with proper care and attention. If your loved one suffered from them, it’s likely they suffered from other forms of abuse as well which may also be compensable. Knowing the full scale of your loved one’s abuse is vital to helping them make a full physical and financial recovery, or, if they have passed, for helping your family do the same.
What Causes Bedsores?
Bedsores are pressure wounds that occur when a person is left in a position for too long. Normally, nursing home residents will be carefully moved and turned in their beds or wheelchairs to ensure that bedsores don’t occur. However, in an environment where they are neglected, they will be left to remain in the same position for too long or moved improperly, leading to a shearing wound, in which the skin and bone move in opposite directions.
Signs of bedsores include the following:
- Open sores
- Redness
- Hot or inflamed areas on the skin
- Swelling
Bedsores can require extensive medical care to alleviate and may become infected, leading to even more serious illness. They can even be fatal should this occur, making it vital for you to seek out compensation for your loved one should they have bedsores.
When is There Neglect?
Neglect occurs when a nursing home doesn’t do its basic duties of care to which residents are entitled. Residents typically pay high fees for staying in a nursing home because they can’t care for themselves on their own. As such, nursing homes are responsible for providing a basic standard of care, including food, hydration, medical care, and movement. If your loved one hasn’t been provided with these basic services during their stay or received them less than they should have, they are likely a victim of neglect.
How Do You Sue For Neglect?
Neglect can occur at any time during your loved one’s stay at a nursing home, but once it’s discovered, it’s vital that you take steps to obtain compensation for them. Speaking with a Louisiana nursing home abuse lawyer is an important first step to take to establish if you have a claim and to determine the path forward. The process for establishing a case of neglect includes the following steps:
- Discovery: During this phase, the evidence will be gathered, including witness testimony, medical records, and advice from experts on the care your loved one received.
- Investigation: The circumstances that led up to the formation of the bedsores will be more closely evaluated and any evidence needed to support a chain of events can be collected.
- Assessment of damages: The damages that your loved one faced can be examined to help determine how much compensation they may be entitled to.
- Determination of the settlement: The full scope of the settlement and amount to which your loved one is entitled will be examined.
Bottom Line
Nursing home neglect is a serious and growing issue as more people move into them. If your loved one is in a nursing home or recently lived in one and suffered from bedsore, then it’s vital that you help them file a claim or make one on their behalf. Your loved one may be entitled to significant compensation for their pain and suffering and any costs of their medical bills. However, it’s important to act quickly after you’ve discovered bedsore to ensure that your loved one received the highest level of compensation.
