FAQs
Bedsores form when medical providers or nursing homes fail to establish and follow a specific care plan for patients who are immobile. When patients are not moved often to relieve pressure on certain areas of the body, blood flow is limited and the skin and tissue will break down. This is preventable.
What are the four stages of bedsores?
There are four stages of a bedsore that will help hospitals and nursing home employees determine the severity of the wound. It is crucial to treat bedsores also referred to as pressure ulcers immediately because they can progress quickly from one stage to another.
Stage 1 – It is marked by skin that is red and irritated. The area may be warm to the touch and there may be some swelling. These wounds are generally not painful and may disappear right after the pressure is reduced.
Stage 2 – The skin breaks open and creates the ulcer. The ulcer may be yellow, red, or black. It will likely be painful, and there may be some discharge from the area.
Stage 3 –Penetrate the second layer of skin and start to damage the underlying tissue. The ulcer will be deep and crater-like. There often is a great deal of swelling and pain.
Stage 4 – The ulcer begins to affect muscle, tendons, or bone. There may be significant tissue damage and infection. These wounds are excruciating and can take months and sometimes years to heal. It is the most severe stage.
A pressure ulcer may be categorized as unstageable. If that is the case, the base of the sore cannot be seen and thus it cannot be measured accurately.
How can I prevent bedsores?
If you are in the care of a hospital or nursing home, it is their responsibility to make sure your medical and living arrangements keep you safe.
In order to prevent bedsores, it is important that caretakers keep your skin clean and dry. A care plan is vitality important. The care plan must include a repositioning schedule to prevent you from sitting or lying in the same position for too long.
The care plan should be reassessed and adjusted to make sure it meets you or your loved one’s medical needs.
Recoverable Damages in a Bedsore Lawsuit
The amount of a bedsore settlement will depend on the severity of the injury and the damages suffered.
Bedsore lawsuits can be worth thousands or millions of dollars depending on several factors, including:
- The pain and suffering you endured;
- The costs of your medical treatment;
- The severity of your injuries;
- The total income you lost as a result of your injuries.
If you lost a loved one due to sepsis or another complication of bedsores, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
A bedsore lawsuit can be complex and challenging to litigate. It’s important to have an attorney on your side who understands the law. At Pratcher Krayer, we have litigated these cases and understand the time, money, and resources needed to get your family the compensation that it deserves.
Contact a Nursing Home Bedsore Attorney
Pratcher Krayer understands that a majority of bedsore lawsuits against nursing homes are usually complex and require the experience of an attorney who is intimately familiar with this area of law. Our firm is here to help your family get the compensation that it deserves. If you or a loved one have developed bedsores while in the care of a nursing home, you may be entitled to compensation.