Bed Sores
Bowie Nursing Home Bedsore Injury Attorney
Safety should always be the number one priority for nursing homes all over the U.S. When a family chooses to place a loved one in a facility, they expect that the staff looking after them will provide them with the necessary care and the quickest, most optimal medical attention. Unfortunately, however, there are times when the institution’s caregivers do not have the training required to treat vulnerable patients, leading to harming or taking advantage of them.
Suppose you have recently noticed that your loved one behaves differently, seems uncomfortable in their bed or chair, or has decreased self-confidence. In that case, they could be suffering from abuse at the hands of a negligent nursing home. Contact a Bowie nursing home bedsore injury attorney from Brown & Barron today to get justice and prevent negligent caregivers from harming others.
Contact a Bowie nursing home bedsore injury attorney from Brown & Barron or fill out our contact form for a free initial consultation online.
Get in touch with a bedsore injury lawyer serving Bowie, (410) 698-1717 for a free case evaluation.
What Are Bedsores in Nursing Home Patients?
Bedsores are ulcers that can appear all over the body and are often the result of constant and prolonged skin pressure against a surface. These injuries can be a serious problem among elders who spend too much time in one position or are only transported daily from a bed to a chair.
These ulcers could appear in the blink of an eye if the nursing staff is not constantly checking on their patient’s wellbeing, and even with medical treatment, they might never fully heal.
This is completely unacceptable. Our nursing home bedsore injury lawyer can help you seek justice for your loved one and make both the nursing home and staff responsible for letting bedsores happen.
What Causes Bedsores?
A bedsore happens when blood supply to the skin is cut off for more than two hours. To identify them, a person can look for red areas on the skin that turn purple after a period of time. They can also become deep to the point of extending to the muscle and bone.
Bedsores often happen on the:
- Tailbone or hips
- Heels of the feet
- Shoulder blades
- Back of the head
- Backs and sides of the knees
How to Prevent Bedsore Injuries in Patients
Bedsores can be prevented if the nursing home knows and performs its responsibilities according to a high standard of care. Some of these responsibilities are:
- Turning and repositioning the resident. The nursing home staff should help the resident shift their weight frequently depending on their condition.
- Sitting the residents straight and changing their positions constantly. The staff should help residents lift, move and reposition themselves, always minding the person’s capabilities.
- Provide beds and chairs in good condition to avoid or reduce pressure. In addition, the nursing home should provide mattresses or cushions to relieve stress on the skin.
- Guaranteeing correct medications and other prescriptions. This could avert complications from underlying conditions that could worsen the person’s situation.
- Treating wounds immediately. Treating minor injuries, such as small cuts or bruises, can prevent them from escalating into more complicated health conditions.
Consequences of Bedsore Injuries
Skin injuries and nursing home bedsores can be healed when treated on time, allowing the victim to enjoy a high quality of life. However, your loved one could also suffer painful consequences such as:
- Blisters: also known as ulcers, blisters are small injuries on the skin, commonly presented as bubbles filled with serum. They are caused by friction, burning, or another type of direct damage.
- Chronic pain: in some cases, this type of pain could last for more than three months, and it may never end. Chronic pain could lead to depression, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and extreme discomfort in the worst-case scenario.
- Infections: symptoms of infection include fever, bad smell, drainage from the injury, increased redness, and swelling. It is important to contact a health professional if you notice you or your loved one is experimenting any of these symptoms.
- Swelling: if a swollen bed sore lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, you should contact a doctor. This injury could escalate to more serious conditions such as the ones mentioned above.
Contact a Nursing Home Bedsores Injury Lawyer Serving Bowie for Help Today
Filing a bedsore claim against a nursing home can be difficult if you do not have the correct preparation and knowledge about the law and the limits in your state. Having a professional lawyer helping you might give you a better chance to succeed.
Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a with a bedsore injury lawyer serving Bowie.
Types of Compensation You Can Receive for Bedsore Injuries in Bowie
If your loved one suffered from bedsores and you suspect the nursing home was responsible, you can get monetary compensation for the consequences of these careless acts. Some of the most common types of compensation can include:
- Pain and suffering. This refers to the discomfort, anguish, inconvenience, and emotional trauma resulting from any injury.
- Medical expenses. You can receive compensation for all the medical expenses related to you or your loved one’s bedsores, like medication, therapy, rehabilitation, etc.
The amount of money you can receive depends on the severity of the injury and the different conditions of each injured person. It also depends on how fast you file a claim and begin the legal process. At Brown & Barron, we can help you gather enough evidence to determine the type of compensation you could be entitled to receive.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim for Bedsores in Nursing Home Patients?
Bedsores in nursing homes are severe and dangerous for the victim and are often a result of professional malpractice. In the state of Maryland, the period of time you have to file a nursing home negligence lawsuit is the earlier of either five years from the date of injury or three years from the discovery of the negligence. These timelines are codified in Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings Code section 5-109. The result is that individuals typically have three years from the date of injury to file suit.
It would be best to build a valid complaint according to the evidence and damages you have for your case.
To get the maximum amount of compensation possible, you have to prepare a strong case along with your bedsore injury lawyer.
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An Unwavering Commitment to What's RightBrown and Barron is a law firm that fights for the most vulnerable members of society to achieve a true sense of closure after a devasting event. We are passionate about the people we work with and the cases we argue and will do whatever it takes to not only restore your justice but also restore your life.
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