Did A Family Member Get Bedsores In A Chicagoland Nursing Home?
Bedsores are one of the most common signs of nursing home or hospital malpractice. These ulcers develop when a patient’s caregivers fail to rotate or reposition them regularly, which allows constant pressure to damage skin, muscles and even bones. Unfortunately, elderly patients are particularly at risk for severe or fatal bedsores.
Nursing homes must be vigilant to prevent bedsores, especially for patients who cannot move easily on their own. When a nursing home fails to provide the right equipment, staffing or consideration to prevent bedsores, the attorneys at Kent M. Lucaccioni, Ltd., can help you. If a loved one has suffered bedsores, the nursing home may be liable for nursing home malpractice.
A Chicago Law Firm With A Track Record
At Kent M. Lucaccioni, Ltd., we serve people in Illinois from our offices in Chicago and Elgin. We have recovered millions of dollars for people in nursing home negligence and medical malpractice cases. We understand that you trusted the facility to provide proper care for your family member and that you are upset by this injury. Our Illinois nursing home lawyers are here to help you and your family get justice and compensation for the injury or wrongful death.
What Are Bedsores?
Also called pressure sores and decubitus ulcers, bedsores occur when blood flow to the skin and tissue is cut off because of pressure on the affected area. They can be worsened by the presence of moisture on the skin, such as urine or feces. Because nursing home and hospital patients often are dependent on others to help them move or change position, they are at increased risk for bedsores. When nursing home and hospital staff are not attentive to patients and do not regularly change their position, the result can be devastating for patients and their families.
Bedsores can become painful and dangerous, with symptoms that may include:
- Red, blue or purple discoloration of the skin
- Swelling
- A warm or hot sensation in the area
- Pain and a burning sensation
- Blisters
- Odor
- Infection
- Pus
- Dead skin
- Open sore showing tissue, muscle or bone
Not surprisingly, bedsores can be quite painful. Due to the risk of severe infection, they are also very dangerous and can result in wrongful death if left untreated.
Are Bedsores Considered Medical Malpractice?
Yes, bedsores can be considered medical malpractice if they were preventable and were caused by the hospital’s or nursing home’s negligence. Failure to treat bedsores can also be malpractice.
Pursuing A Claim For Nursing Home Neglect
Our lawyers combine more than a century of experience in personal injury litigation, which has resulted in more than $100 million obtained, to date, for our clients. We are committed to doing everything possible to help if a loved one has developed bedsores.
Like any medical malpractice claim, nursing home neglect claims for bedsores must prove the following:
- There was a duty of care that the provider did not meet
- The breach of duty/not following the standard of care resulted in bedsores
- The person had damage due to the bedsores
We will investigate the medical history of patients to understand any underlying medical conditions, including vascular disorders, to determine if the resident was at risk for developing bedsores. From there, we review the nursing home records to determine:
- Why and when did bedsores develop?
- Were they preventable?
- Was a care plan implemented and followed?
The answers to these questions will determine if a loved one was the victim of nursing home neglect.
Contact A Dedicated Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer In Chicago Today
If your family member developed bedsores in a hospital or nursing home setting, you can protect their rights. We are prepared to discuss your case to learn about how we can help your loved one get the damages and justice they deserve. To discuss any aspect of Illinois nursing home neglect in a free initial consultation with one of our Chicago bedsore attorneys, call 877-930-2551 or email us.
