One of the silent killers in nursing homes are bedsores.
Also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers, bedsores are frequently labeled as “never events” in nursing homes and hospitals.
This means that bedsores should “never” happen in the presence of proper medical care, treatment, and attention.
But unfortunately
bedsores do happen, they cause serious personal injuries, and they even result in the wrongful death of patients.
We place our loved ones in nursing homes and hospitals to ensure they do not suffer personal injuries or wrongfully die from conditions like bedsores.
If this happens to you or a loved one, have our Oregon bedsores lawyers review the medical record to determine whether you may have rights to compensation.
This compensation may be for a variety of damages, which may include some of the following:
- Pain and suffering;
- Medical bills;
- Medications;
- Surgeries;
- Loss of affection and services from loved ones;
- Wrongful death;
- In wrongful death cases, funeral expenses and burial expenses;
- Emotional distress;
- In exceptionally rare cases, punitive damages; and
- Many other damages.
What is a Bedsore?
A bedsore is damage to the skin and surrounding tissue caused by the continued pressure on the same area for a prolonged period of time.
Factors like friction, abrasion, pressure, and other factors on the same area of the body could result in tissue damage.
This continued distress to the tissue results in a breakdown of tissue which accelerates the nearby skin and tissue damage.
The longer that the bedsore is allowed to continue damaging the same area, and the longer that the bedsore is not treated, the more damage that will occur.
In some of the most drastic cases bedsores could deteriorate tissue so much that bones are exposed, particularly the hips or pelvis.
Injuries could even grow to the size of a dinner plate.
Generally, patients who are bedridden or wheelchair bound are most at risk for developing bedsores.
This is because these patients are in constant contact with surfaces that are putting pressure and generating friction on their body.
This is particularly true of beds, where prolonged exposure to the pressure bedsprings and cause devastating bedsores.
Stages of Bedsores
Bedsores are classified in four stages.
Our Oregon bedsores lawyers know how devastating each of these stages can be, as well as the risks associated with each stage.
The four stages include the following:
Stage 1 – This is the most mild stage which is when the outer layer of skin has some pain, burning, redness, and there is some general uncomfortableness.
Stage 2 – This is when the damage extends to the second layer of skin resulting in bleeding, swelling, oozing, blisters, and similar damage.
There is a chance of infection.
Stage 3 – When the damage extends into the fatty layer of tissue a bedsore is in at least the third stage which is considered a medical emergency.
Treatment needs to be sought and rendered as soon as possible.
Damage includes swelling, blood, oozing, pus, and necrotic or dying flesh.
Infection is very common.
Stage 4 – This is the last stage and is a life-threatening stage of a bedsore which requires immediate intervention to prevent the wrongful death of a patient.
Significant tissue such as muscle, tendons, ligaments, and other nearby structures like nerves or vessels could become damaged, infected, and necrotic.
This means that major structures could die.
Infections are almost also present, and sepsis is common which could result in amputations.
Common Causes of Bedsores
Nursing home patients that suffer from a bedsore are usually the victim of Oregon nursing home malpractice.
The same is true of hospital patients being victims of Oregon medical malpractice.
This is because bedsores are “never events” when patients are properly cared for, treated, and evaluated.
When patients suffer from bedsores, it is usually due to the reckless, careless, and negligent conduct of healthcare providers.
This substandard care could be negligent actions such as improperly performing bedsore checks and patient rotations, or the substandard care could be omissions such as failing to check patients.
Some of the most common causes of bedsores due to Oregon nursing home malpractice and Oregon medical malpractice include the following:
- Failure to perform bedsore checks;
- Failing to rotate patients for bedsore checks;
- Delaying in referring patients to the hospital or to a specialist for treatment;
- Not encouraging residents to get up and walk;
- Improper use of beds for restraint such as with bedrails;
- Excessive use of wheelchairs;
- Neglect;
- Cutting corners and not performing checks;
- Misdiagnosing patients;
- Neglecting patient needs; and
- Many other causes.
Bend/Portland, Oregon Bedsores Lawyers
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of nursing home abuse or neglect contact the Oregon Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers at
Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.
We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
We handle cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hillsboro.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Nursing Home Abuse cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.