Malpractice Lawsuits for Bedsores, Pressure Ulcers
Pressure sores, which are also commonly referred to as decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers or bedsores, may occur in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities as a result of negligence or neglect by medical staff. If the proper standards of medical care are followed, these painful and life-threatening open wounds can often be prevented.
Contact Our Lawyers to Review aPRESSURE SORE LAWSUIT
When a loved on is ill or elderly and unable to reposition themselves, families rely on nursing homes or hospital staff to provide the proper care and attention that is required. failure to properly turn a patient or monitor for early signs of a pressure sore, could allow these large wounds to develop.
If you, a friend or family member have suffered a hospital bedsore or nursing home pressure sore, the malpractice lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. can review the circumstances surrounding the treatment to help determine if the injury could have been prevented. Request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
PREVENTING PRESSURE ULCERS
Bedsores develop overtime as prolonged pressure is allowed to exist on one area of the body. The lack of blood flow to an area of the skin can start as red or irritated skin, and can progress to large open, bleeding and oozing wounds, which may lead to a life-threatening infection.
Pressure sores are often categorized based on the degree and depth of the ulcer:
- “Stage 1 Pressure Sore” involve irritation to the surface of the skin
- “Stage 2 Pressure Sore” involve blisters or shallow craters where the outer layers of skin die
- “Stage 3 Pressure Sore” involve the deeper layers of skin and often appear as open and bleeding wounds
- “Stage 4 Pressure Sore” are the most severe stage, where the pressure ulcer has gone through all layers of skin, exposing muscle and bone
Healthy individuals are able to constantly adjust their own body, preventing the skin from decaying under prolonged pressure.
However, elderly and ill individuals, who are confined to a hospital bed or nursinig home, may not be able to reposition themselves. They rely on nurses and medical staff to prevent them from being kept in the same positioon for hours on end and to closely examine the body for signs of devloping bedsores.
>>INFORMATION: Identifying Signs of Pressure Sores
Research has established that through consistent, multidisciplinary team efforts, the risk of pressure sores can be reduced substantially and Medicare has categorized bedsores as injuries that should never occur.
Pressure ulcers are not only painful and debilitating, but can have a devastating long-term impact on the health and quality of life for patients. According to Medicare data, the average cost associated with pressure sore treatment is over $40,000.00. In severe cases, complications from pressure sores can be life-threatening, with the most common causes of bedsore deaths stemming from renal failure and amyloidosis.
HOSPITAL BEDSORE LAWYERS
The medical malpractice lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. have years of experience handling complex hospital negligence lawsuits. Our clients recover multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts every year and we have the resources to fight large corporations and hospitals to protect the interests of our clients.
There are no fees or expenses unless we obtain a recovery. Every claim for medical malpractice has a time limit within which the lawsuit must be filed, known as the Statute of Limitations. Time may be running out on your claim, so you should have any potential claim reviewed as soon as possible to make sure your family is protected.