Bedsores and Nursing Home Neglect

Los Angeles Nursing Home Negligence Attorney

Bedsores, often referred to as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, may be a sign of neglect in a nursing home. When a patient is confined to a bed and cannot alter his or her position frequently, bedsores may develop on parts of the body that are under continuous pressure. Untreated or addressed improperly, bedsores may lead to serious injury or even wrongful death.

If you have discovered that your elderly loved one has developed bedsores or lost his or her life due to untreated bedsores, it is important that you consult a nursing home neglect lawyer at our law offices to schedule a consultation to talk about your options in filing a claim against the facility responsible for this serious situation.

What is a Bedsore/Pressure Sore?

 Bedsores are also commonly known as skin ulcers, pressure sores, decubitus ulcers or pressure ulcers. These often develop in bedridden or otherwise immobilized patients on areas of the body where bones project outward toward the skin, such as on the lower back, buttocks, or ankles. Bedsores develop when the blood flow to an area of the body is interrupted, slowed or cut off altogether for an extended period of time. This means that the flow of blood that nourishes the skin is cut off, and the skin will subsequently die. The dying tissue will then become a bedsore. Bedsores are more likely to develop in patients exposed to dirty bedding, such as extended contact with feces or urine on their bed sheets.

Although treatable if caught early enough, the best solution for bedsores is to prevent them altogether. Continually shifting the patient, sometimes as frequently as every two hours or less, can help ensure that bedsores do not develop. Cleanliness is another crucial factor to consider.