Wrongful Death from Bedsores in a Washington DC Nursing Home
All nursing homes in Washington DC have a duty to protect their residents from foreseeable harm. This includes the ever-present risk of the development of bedsores. A nursing home that allows a resident to be harmed by a bedsore may carry civil liability.
Fortunately, most bedsores are relatively minor injuries from which residents will make an eventual, albeit painful recovery. On rare occasions, a bedsore may become infected or cause so much permanent damage that death results. These cases can bring about causes of action that allege wrongful death.
An attorney could help the family of recently deceased residents to pursue cases alleging wrongful death from bedsores in Washington DC nursing homes. A seasoned bedsores lawyer could help to gather the necessary evidence, to work with experts needed to prove the claim, and to demand appropriate compensation needed to set things right.
Complications Arising from Bedsores
Bedsores result from continual pressure being applied to a singular location on the body. According to research from Johns Hopkins, bedsores may develop in as little as three to four hours. Mild bedsores may result in numbness or bruising in the affected areas. Treatment in these cases usually involves keeping the area exposed to the air and the application of massage therapy.
However, bedsores can quickly become serious problems if left untreated. Tissue left without access to air or adequate blood flow can quickly die. This results in the skin or even muscles sloughing off. Exposed bones, nerves, or blood vessels can become infected leading to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that may result in death, even while under the supervision of a doctor.
It is easy to see how a negligent nursing home could cause the death of a resident if they do not take adequate steps to prevent the onset or worsening of bedsores.
Legal Options Following a Wrongful Death
All nursing homes have a legal obligation, known as a duty, to protect their residents from harm. Any failure to perform this duty that does result in harm can be the basis for a personal injury lawsuit. Of course, this also applies if the injury results in death.
Wrongful death lawsuits allow the surviving family members of the recently deceased to demand compensation from a negligent tortfeasor. This compensation can include payments to cover any outstanding medical bills, compensation for funeral costs, and any other monetary damages endured due to the death.
In addition, a wrongful death claim can also demand compensation for the loss of services provided by the decedent. While this is unlikely to include payments for lost wages, it may include compensation for lost companionship, personal advice, and even education.
A Washington DC attorney could help the family members of the recently deceased to pursue negligent nursing homes following a wrongful death that resulted from the onset of a bedsore. They can also help to ensure that the case meets the statute of limitations in Washington DC. According to DC Code §16-2702, plaintiffs in a wrongful death case have two years from the date of injury to file a case.
Learn More About Wrongful Death from Bedsores in a DC Nursing Home Case
Bedsores are a leading cause of injuries in Washington DC’s nursing homes. Despite the fact that these injuries are easily preventable, a bedsore can have serious consequences for a resident’s health. The most severe examples can even result in death.
An attorney could help to hold negligent nursing homes responsible for their actions that led to a bedsore. This can include the gathering of relevant evidence, working with a qualified medical expert, and demanding compensation in both settlement talks and in court. Contact a lawyer today to learn more about wrongful death from bedsores in Washington DC nursing homes.