Bedsore Stages in Virginia Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are places where elderly and disabled Americans come to receive around the clock medical and daily care. Residents and their families trust that any existing medical issues will be given the proper attention and that future medical problems will be mitigated. When an injury such as a bedsore, of any stage, develops, the nursing home may have failed the resident.
There are several bedsore stages. in Virginia nursing homes. The higher the stage, the greater the extent of damage to the nursing home resident. If your elderly loved one in a nursing home has a stage two, three, or four bedsore, you might have a valid legal claim. You can speak to a nursing home abuse attorney to find out more.
Four Stages of Bedsores
Bedsores are injuries to the skin and tissues beneath the skin. They are caused by pressure on the same spots over long periods of time. Damage can be as mild as redness to the skin or as severe as muscle and bone involvement, including infection. There are four bedsore stages in total.
Stage One
In their initial stage, bedsores can cause pain to the skin, but the skin is still intact with no breaks or tears. Skin is usually red but does not blanch. The area may feel warmer and firmer or softer than the surrounding tissues.
Stage Two
When the skin is broken open and a tender or painful ulcer is evident, the bedsore has progressed to a stage two. It now involves deeper layers of skin and may resemble a scrape, blister, or a shallow crater. In some people, there may be irreparable skin damage with a stage two pressure ulcer.
Stage Three
At stage three, the bedsore now extends to the tissue below the skin and forms a crater. Fat may be visible in the ulcer.
Stage Four
A bedsore that is extremely deep, reaches to the muscle and bone, and has caused widespread damage is a stage four bedsore. At this stage, there may also be damage to joints and tendons. Complications may include sepsis or bone infection.
Potential Bedsore Damages
As evidenced by their staging, bedsores can be complex. They may require various types of medical care, including surgery, intravenous antibiotics, and hospitalization. They can also be very painful. Potential damages claimed by the victim may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical and wound care expenses
- Pain medications
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
Bedsore Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
Bedsore victims who work with an attorney to file their case could have a better chance at filing their case within the statute of limitations. Virginia Code § 8.01-243 reveals that plaintiffs in a bedsore injury case have two years to file their lawsuit. The statute of limitations begins to toll when the injury occurs or when the injury is discovered as sometimes it can be difficult to determine when a bedsore began.
Speak to a Virginia Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Regarding Bedsores
Bedsores are an easily avoidable nursing home injury. They can almost always be avoided by repositioning the resident to take pressure off of their bony prominences and keeping the skin dry and clean. When staff members fail to provide the necessary care for bedsore prevention and treatment, the bedsore stages in Virginia nursing homes are often worse.
Nursing home residents deserve the utmost in care. If your elderly family member has developed a bedsore, they are not receiving the care that they need. Call a qualified attorney today to learn what your legal rights are in Virginia.
