Cleveland Bedsores in Nursing Homes

A bedsore is a type of ulcer that can occur from pressure exerted on one part of the body for too long. A disabled individual stuck in bed, for example, may develop bedsores on the heels of the feet or the tailbone from prolonged pressure of these areas against the mattress. Bedsores are always preventable in nursing home settings with proper resident care. If you recently noticed bedsores on your elderly loved one, consult with the attorneys at Elk & Elk right away. Your loved one may have grounds for an injury claim against the nursing facility in Cleveland.

Why Choose Us?

  • We are not afraid to use resources such as hiring experts to take on challenging claims. We can help you go up against any nursing home in Cleveland.
  • We have more than 50 years of combined experience among our attorneys. We have successfully recovered over $1 billion in damages for past clients.
  • We will only charge attorney’s fees if we secure you a financial award for your losses. You will not pay any legal fees up front.

Do You Need a Lawyer for Bedsores?

A bedsore should not happen if the nursing home has trained staff members to reposition or turn a bedridden resident at least every two hours. Other measures to prevent bedsores include investing in special sheets or pads to relieve pressure on the skin. Bringing a civil action against a local nursing home for neglect could result in payment for your loved one’s related medical bills and pain and suffering. Winning fair compensation, however, is difficult without an attorney.

An attorney with experience handling nursing home neglect and abuse cases can make sure the nursing home’s insurance provider does not unfairly deny your claim. Insurance companies will do their best to get you to settle your claim for as little money as possible – or to walk away with nothing. Having a lawyer represent your elderly loved one can improve your odds of success. Your loved one can dedicate his or her energy to healing while the law firm goes to work.

What Damages Can a Bedsore Cause?

Bedsores occur when a lack of blood circulation to the skin causes tissue damage and death. Bedsores can destroy the upper layers of tissues to form a painful sore or opening in the skin. If left untreated, a bedsore can continue damaging the lower layers of tissue until the sore affects the muscles and bone. Minor bedsores may not cause lasting damages, but more serious ones can have life-threatening complications.

  • Cellulitis. An infection of the skin and soft tissues.
  • Bone and joint infections. Serious infections that can damage cartilage and joints.
  • Sepsis. A blood infection that could be fatal.
  • Cancer. In extreme cases, non-healing pressure ulcers can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatment for a severe bedsore could require surgeries, painful wound debridement, antibiotics, and physical therapy. A victim may suffer thousands of dollars in medical bills, serious infections, and lost quality of life. Your loved one may be able to file a claim for bedsore-related damages if the nursing home reasonably should have prevented the injury.

What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Homes?

Elderly neglect can cause a bedsore through lack of proper attention to residents’ medical needs. All nursing homes should have enough staff members and proper medical training to succeed in bedsore prevention. Failure to turn a resident often enough could lead to bedsores, but a number of other factors can increase the risk.

  • Poor nutrition or dehydration
  • Weak and brittle skin
  • Immobility or disability
  • Lack of sensory perception
  • Poor hygiene and moist skin
  • Friction on rough fabrics
  • Medical conditions that decrease blood flow

A competent and careful nursing home knows the risks that can lead to bedsores and has procedures in place to actively prevent them. If your loved one has a bedsore, it is a sign of nursing home neglect.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Your family can file a bedsore claim against an at-fault nursing home with help from Elk & Elk. Our Cleveland nursing home abuse lawyers understand the responsibilities nursing homes owe to their residents. We can help your loved one fight for justice and compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation in Cleveland.