Filing a Virginia Nursing Home Bedsore Lawsuit
Bedsores, officially known as pressure ulcers, occur when pressure is applied to the skin for an extended period of time. Bedsores are often sustained by individuals with limited mobility who spend a considerable amount of time in one position. Such individuals may need help from nursing home staff to turn over or change positions, and if they do not receive this help, they can develop painful and unsightly sores on the surface of their skin.
In hospitals and nursing facilities, bedsores are often associated with patient neglect. Mobility-challenged patients must be adequately cared for, and if they are unable to move, nurses or staff members should provide them with the assistance they need. Compared to other medical conditions, bedsores may develop relatively quickly.
If you or your loved one developed bedsores while in the care of a nursing home, you may want to consider filing a Virginia nursing home bedsore lawsuit.
Bedsore Risk Factors
As mentioned above, there are countless risk factors associated with the development of bedsores. Immobility is the most common risk factor, and for this reason, nursing home patients confined to their beds or wheelchairs are at an extremely high risk of developing bedsores. Other medical conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, can also restrict blood flow and increase the risk of tissue damage and bedsores.
Poor nutrition and hydration can also promote the development of bedsores. When a person does not consume enough calories, fluids, protein, minerals, or vitamins to maintain healthy and elastic skin, their tissue can begin to break down and bedsores can appear.
Patients with neurological conditions, such as spinal cord or brain damage, may not notice they are developing bedsores. As time progresses, their injuries can become more severe if they are not noticed by physicians or nursing home staff members.
Bedsore Symptoms and Complications
Some bedsores are more severe than others, but if left unattended, even the most minor sores can cause deep tissue damage if they are not treated promptly. Unusual changes in texture or skin color and temperature, pus drainage, and skin tenderness are common signs of bedsores. When a person is the process of developing a bedsore, the surface of their skin can become red and painful to the touch.
As previously mentioned, bedsores are not usually deadly, but if left untreated, they can result in the following conditions:
- Cellulitis – When a person develops a skin infection that spreads to the soft tissue, cellulitis can occur and cause redness and swelling in the affected area.
- Cancer – Long-term, open ulcers can cause the development of skin cancer in some patients.
- Sepsis
- Joint and bone infection – When an infection on the surface of the skin penetrates bones and joints, infections can develop and damage the tissue and cartilage.
Nursing home staff members can reduce the frequency of bedsores among patients by providing them with high-quality mattresses and wheelchairs, helping patients shift and lift themselves regularly.
Preventing bedsores should be a priority for all nursing homes. If a person develops bedsores due to the negligence of nursing home staff members, filing a Virginia nursing home bedsore lawsuit may be in their best interest.
Consider Filing a Virginia Nursing Home Bedsore Lawsuit
Bedsores are preventable, and often, they are the result of neglect and abuse in nursing homes. Bedsores are not only painful, but potentially deadly, and nursing home administrators should take measures to ensure that their staff members understand the dangers associated with pressure ulcers.
If you developed bedsores while in the care of a nursing home, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Consider filing a Virginia nursing home bedsore lawsuit with the help of an attorney.