Bedsore and Pressure Sore Attorney
Supporting Victims of Bedsores in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Bedsores are one of the most common conditions that can arise from nursing home neglect in New Jersey. Bedsores can be very painful and can lead to serious, life-threatening illnesses. The last thing nursing home patients need is to have to fight a serious skin infection brought on by the negligence of nursing home staff and administration. New Jersey nursing home neglect attorney Lance Brown & Associates fights for the rights of New Jersey nursing home residents to be free from negligence and neglect that leads to painful medical conditions like bedsores.
What are bedsores?
Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues resulting from prolonged pressure, which can occur among nursing home residents who are confined to a bed or wheelchair for many hours of the day. Left untreated, bedsores can create serious health problems and even life-threatening conditions. In a stage IV ulcer, for instance, the bedsore is so deep that muscle, bone and tendons may be exposed. Complications from bedsores include sepsis, cellulitis, bone and joint infections, and cancer.
How can you get bedsores?
If your nursing care is neglectful and is not repositioning you often enough, such as every two hours, then you may develop bedsores from the prolonged pressure on your body. Depending upon whether you are in bed or a wheelchair and how you are positioned, a bedsore can appear almost anywhere, but they are commonly found on the back, buttocks, ears, head and the backs of arms and legs.
Besides not being turned or repositioned, other aspects of nursing home neglect can contribute to the development of bedsores. For instance, poor nutrition and hydration causes many health problems, including unhealthy skin and tissues. In addition to skin and tissue damage, loss of fat and muscle through weight loss from being malnourished means there is less cushioning between the bones and the bed or wheelchair, which is another factor leading to the development of bedsores.
End Neglect and Get Help with Bedsores from an Experienced New Jersey Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer
Older skin is more fragile and susceptible to bedsores, requiring extra care and vigilance. Inspection of the skin should be routine nursing home care for anyone confined to a wheelchair or bed for long periods of time, or for people who lack the ability to reposition themselves under their own power. This could include people who suffer from paralysis, are recovering from surgery, are under sedation or in a coma, or who are simply frail or in poor health. Failing to properly monitor patients’ health, including taking steps to prevent bedsores or treat them as soon as they appear, is negligent, neglectful behavior that violates the law and standards for nursing home care in New Jersey. If you or a loved one has been battling bedsores in a New Jersey nursing home, contact Lance Brown & Associates to speak with an experienced nursing home neglect lawyer who can help you get the care and attention you need.
