Understanding Infections from Bedsores in a Nursing Home in Oregon: What are a Victim’s Rights?
Bedsores are very serious conditions that can be caused in a nursing home, rehabilitation center, assisted living facility, or anywhere else including a hospital. Victims who suffer a bedsore do not just have to be patients or residents here, but victims could also suffer bedsores at home if they are immobile, have difficulty walking, or are bed-stricken or wheelchair-bound. While bedsores by themselves are dangerous, the real issue becomes the infection that is caused by the bedsore or pressure sore. Indeed, the infection is what can result in the very serious problem, including leading to sepsis and even wrongful death. Infection from bedsores in a nursing home can be due to Oregon nursing home malpractice and should be reviewed by an experienced lawyer.
This is because a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, rehabilitation facility, or another facility will likely try to blame the victim for his or her injuries. In fact, healthcare providers may even try to say that the bedsore was caused by the victim, was already on the victim when he or she came into the facility, or that another facility caused the victim’s bedsore. These are usually defense arguments that are meant to help confuse a victim and their loved ones from uncovering the truth in an Oregon nursing home malpractice case.
What are Bedsores?
Bedsores are a breakdown of tissue caused by the constant pressure, friction, abrasion, or other rubbing on the skin in the same location. While the body is very strong, as we age our body becomes more vulnerable to injury. Pressure injuries like bedsores are some of the most common ways that an injury could occur to a person who is bed or wheelchair bound. If beds or wheelchairs are not properly padded, or if residents are not frequently moved, the bedsores could become a serious problem and cause injury.
Infections from Bedsores
Bedsores cause an opening in the skin and tissue. Whenever there is an opening in skin and tissue, it can cause an infection. An infection is when a foreign body, usually bacteria, begins to grow and multiple. It is an invasion into the bloodstream and body. Infections are destructive and damaging to a person. An infection can result in serious personal injury including leading to sepsis which can be fatal. An infection from bedsores in a nursing home can be a serious problem in Oregon.
Stages of Bedsores
There are four stages of bedsores, with each stage becoming worse than the last. While any stage could cause an infection, the later stages are the most likely to cause an infection. The four types of bedsore stages are the following:
- Stage 1 – mild with some pain and redness. The area in question is uncomfortable and could even be burning.
- Stage 2 – there is a blister and breaking of the skin that results in swelling or bleeding.
- Stage 3 – this is deeper damage into the fatty layer which causes bleeding, swelling, pus, and even necrotic tissue that is slowly dying and increasing the wound size.
- Stage 4 – damage through to the muscle and bone layer, this is a medical emergency and often life-threatening. An elderly resident with a stage 4 pressure sore can suffer serious personal injuries including wrongful death.
Ask Our Oregon Nursing Home Injury Lawyer for Help
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.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
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.
