When people get older and relatives find it hard to take care of them, it is common to take them to a nursing home where they will be taken care of. When a nursing home does not take care of your family member, several injuries, like bedsores, can present that could make them suffer and spend their last days in pain.
At Brown & Barron, we put you and your family first, and we can help you investigate why your family member got bedsores to make the nursing home or those involved responsible. If you want to take legal action, we can help you. We can speak with you today during a free consultation and explain how our Annapolis nursing home bedsore injury attorney can help.
What Are Bedsores?
When a person spends too much time in the same position, like sitting in a wheelchair or lying in bed, among other things, ulcers from the constant and prolonged pressure can appear on the skin. Pressure injuries, pressure sores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers are other names for bedsores.
Get in touch with a bedsore injury lawyer serving Annapolis, (410) 547-0202 for a free case evaluation.
Who Is Most Likely to Get Bedsores?
Bedsores can be a severe problem among older adults who spend too much time in the same position. People who most likely get bedsores have medical conditions that limit their ability to change positions, either while sitting or lying in bed.
Bedsores can develop very fast, and some might never heal completely, leaving you or your family member with an injury for the rest of your lives. Our nursing home bedsore injury lawyer can help you seek justice and hold the liable parties accountable for the bedsores your loved one suffered.
The Role of Nursing Homes in the Creation of Bedsores
Unfortunately, bedsores in nursing home patients are very common. They occur because some nursing home residents can’t take care of themselves and rely on the help of the nursing home’s staff. When the staff fails to take care of their residents, bedsores can appear.
Nursing homes are responsible for taking care of their residents in the best way possible. Failing to do so can result in injuries to their residents, and they could face legal consequences from the victim or their families.
Time to File a Claim for Bedsores in Nursing Home Patients
If you are seeking legal action in an Annapolis bedsores case, you must file your lawsuit by the statute of limitations deadline. In Maryland, this time is three years from the discovery of the injury or five years from the injury itself, whichever is earlier, perMd. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-109.
If you want to proceed with a lawsuit for the bedsores you or your loved one suffered in an Annapolis nursing home, you can call our office to find out how much time you have left to do so. We can talk about your legal options and the best way to proceed during a free consultation.
Recoverable Compensation You Could Receive from Bedsore Injuries in a Nursing Home
If your loved one suffered from bedsores and you suspect the nursing home was negligent, you can receive monetary compensation for these negligent acts. Some of the most common are:
- Pain and suffering. It refers to the discomfort, anguish, inconvenience, and emotional trauma that comes with any injury.
- Medical expenses. You could receive compensation for all the medical expenses related to your bedsores, such as medicine, therapy, and more.
- Punitive damages. These damages are considered punishment, and they are awarded when the defendant’s behavior is found to be especially harmful.
The amount of money you can receive depends on the severity of the injury and the different conditions of each injured person. At Brown & Barron, we can help you gather enough evidence to determine the type of compensation you can expect.
Complications from Bedsores in Nursing Homes
Bedsores can lead to more severe injuries, such as skin infection and connected soft tissues, warmth, redness, swelling, and even sepsis.
If you suspect the bedsores and complications happened because of the negligent actions of the nursing home, you can contact a nursing home bedsore injury lawyer to get started in the process of compensation.
The Nursing Home’s Responsibility in Preventing Bedsores
Bedsores can be prevented if the nursing home’s staff is doing its job. Some of the responsibilities of the nursing home to prevent bedsores are:
- Turning and repositioning the resident. The nursing home staff should help the resident shift their weight frequently every one or two hours.
- Sitting the residents straight and changing their positions constantly, either in a wheelchair or chair. The staff should help the residents lift, if possible, or tilt wheelchairs with this characteristic.
- Providing soft conditions in beds and chairs to avoid or reduce pressure. The nursing home should provide mattresses or cushions to relieve pressure.
Contact Brown & Barron onlinetoday to schedule a free case review with a with a bedsore injury lawyer serving Annapolis.
Our Annapolis Nursing Home Bedsore Injury Attorney Can Help You and Your Loved One
If you have identified that your loved one has bedsores, the first thing you should do is notify the nursing home and seek medical care. Nursing homes often argue that they took care of the resident correctly, but that should not stop you from seeking medical care and taking legal action. The medical records from the resident can be vital, and they will be crucial to determine negligence.
At Brown & Barron, we can help you gather the necessary evidence to file a claim or lawsuit. Our attorney puts you and your family first and will do everything we can to help you and your loved one.
Call us for a free consultation in Annapolis. We can discuss your options and help you navigate the process of seeking compensation for your loved one.