Pressure Ulcer Cases in Nursing Homes

Dallas Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers Fighting for Compensation

Pressure ulcers are another name for bedsores and are one of the many signs of nursing home negligence and abuse. Pressure ulcers form when residents with mobility issues do not receive proper and adequate care, as these injuries can easily be prevented with frequent movement and rotation of residents who are on bedrest, confined to wheelchairs, or otherwise prone to spending prolonged periods of time in one position. When nursing homes fail to provide this level of basic care, they have acted negligently and can be held liable for the resulting damages.

The skilled Dallas pressure ulcer lawyers of the Smith Smith Clinesmith LLP work hard to bring justice to the elderly and make sure that these cases are not ignored. We understand the serious nature of bedsores, as well as the many painful and even life-threatening complications they can cause. If you or a loved one developed pressure ulcers while in the care of a nursing home or long-term care facility, reach out to our team today to learn more about your legal rights and options. We serve clients nationwide from offices located in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Contact the Smith Smith Clinesmith LLP online or by phone at (877) 976-8411 today for a free consultation.

What Is a Pressure Ulcer?

A pressure ulcer can be defined as an area of the skin that begins to break down and become damaged due to something continuously rubbing or pressing against that area. Pressure on this area reduces blood circulation to the area causing a deterioration of skin cells and resulting in an open wound.

Common Areas Where Pressure Ulcers Develop

Pressure ulcers often manifest on areas of the body that are in constant contact with a bed, chair, wheelchair, etc. Typically, elderly individuals who are confined to a sitting or lying position are most at-risk of developing pressure ulcers, but any individual who remains in one position for an extended period of time could be affected.

For patients who are in wheelchairs, you may find ulcers in the following areas:

• The buttocks area and/or tailbone
• The spine and/or shoulder blades
• The back of legs and arms (if resting for long periods against the chair)

If the patient is confined to staying in bed, you may find pressure ulcers on:

• Both sides and the back of the head
• The rims of the ears
• Shoulders and shoulder blades
• Lower back and hips
• Knees, heels, and ankles

Most pressure ulcers result from friction and sustained pressure on the area of the body. Nursing home negligence is often a cause of this painful sore because caregivers may forget to inspect the positions the patient is in and may not move them frequently to give relief to the areas that are rubbed the most.

How Dangerous Are Bedsores?

There are several stages of pressure ulcers (or bedsores). While stage I and stage II bedsores are still dangerous, they are more easily treatable than more progressed sores. Stage III and stage IV pressure ulcers are very serious and can lead to infection, cellulitis, and sepsis without immediate proper treatment. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in which the body attempts to fight off infection. It is most commonly associated with bacterial infections, including those that can result from untreated pressure ulcers.

Approximately one third of all people who develop sepsis die. Those who do not die are likely to suffer serious complications and problems, including organ dysfunction, chronic pain, ongoing fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Pressure Ulcer Lawyers

We have a team of highly qualified pressure ulcer attorneys in Dallas, as well as in Los Angeles and New York. At Smith Smith Clinesmith LLP, we fight aggressively to seek justice for the elderly. We work alongside a team of medical experts, nurses, paralegals, and investigators in order to conduct exhaustive investigations and create powerful cases on behalf of our clients. If you or a loved one is suffering from abuse at a nursing home or senior care facility, contact us before it’s too late. We take every nursing home negligence or abuse claim seriously and work hard to build the strongest case possible.

Call (877) 976-8411 to speak with an experienced nursing home abuse and neglect attorney today.

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