Every year, an estimated 2.5 million patients develop a bed sore or pressure ulcer in America. The medical costs are enormous, ranging from $9.1 billion to $11.6 billion every year. Cost of individual patient care ranges from $20,900 to $151,700 per pressure ulcer.
A Detroit nursing home bedsore lawyer can help you if a family member or loved one has experienced pressure ulcers or bed sores due to neglect at a medical facility, in particular, a nursing home. The staff at nursing homes are supposed to be trained in turning and monitoring patients to ensure bedsores and ulcers do not develop.
But if they do, they must be treated right away. Failing to do this can lead to horrible pain and suffering, even wrongful death. Our team of Detroit nursing home neglect lawyers will fight for your family and get justice and compensation.
What is a Bedsore?
A bedsore or pressure sore is an injury that involves damage to the skin and underlying tissue due to prolonged pressure. Pressure against the skin limits blood flow, depriving the skin and surrounding tissue of oxygen and nutrients. When this happens for a long enough period, it causes damage to the skin and open sores.
The most likely causes of bedsores of limited movement, friction when the skin runs against clothing or bedding, and shear. Shear occurs when the skin or body moves in the opposite direction of a surface, like a bed. As the backside or tailbone moves down, the skin stays in place, causing shear.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bedsores?
Nursing home residents and family members should know and understand the risks of bedsores. While you may not be able to prevent bedsores, knowing when to seek help can be crucial in making sure a bedsore does not get worse. Some of the early signs and symptoms of bed sores and pressures sores include:
- Tenderness and pain in the affected area
- Red or pink-colored wounds, which often look like blisters.
- Open wounds that do not close.
- Skin discoloration
- Unusual firmness or softness in the area.
If you see a loved one with these symptoms, it is important to alert the nursing staff and medical personnel immediately. Demand that medical staff move and reposition the patient as needed so prolonged pressure on the body does not occur. If the condition continues to get worse, contact a qualified Michigan nursing home bedsore lawyer to get help.
Common Areas for Bedsores and Pressure Ulcers
When a person is confined to a bed or wheelchair, bedsores often happen on the:
- Buttocks or backside
- Tailbone, lower back, and hip
- The back of heels, ankles, and behind the knees.
- Shoulder blades and spine
When skin is irritated, it becomes red. Open sores can invite bacteria into the system, causing further deterioration in that area. Sometimes, the pressure sore will cause muscle damage or even bone damage. This is called osteomyelitis and is very serious.
What Are the Best Ways to Prevent Bedsores?
The best way to prevent bedsores is to make sure the patient frequently changes position to avoid pressure and building stress on the skin. It also important to take good care of the skin and make sure the patient eats and maintains fluids.
If the patient can get out of bed and exercise, this is a great thing to do. If not, flipping the patient over and bathing and washing the patient consistently is vital.
Why Do Bedsores Occur at Nursing Homes?
Nursing homes, especially those in Michigan, are often understaffed or not properly trained. They fail to recognize the early stages of a bedsore and take the required steps to prevent and treat a patient. From overlooking symptoms to ignoring patients entirely, all levels of negligence and abuse can lead to bedsores.
Sometimes, untrained nursing employees may even restrain patients to avoid responsibilities. This can make the problem even worse. They will fail to report bedsores to nursing home administrators out of fear of getting reprimanded or fired. Some aides and nurses will even try to cover it up. The results can be devastating, leading to prolonged hospital stays, horrible pain for loved ones, and even wrongful death.
What are the Different Stages for Bedsores?
Bedsores are classified by stages, depending on the extent of skin damage. There are 4 stages of bedsore, with the level of
Stage 1 – The least dangerous stage. Typically, the first sign is a red or darkened discolored area. Sometimes, the skin may look purple or blue. The spot may feel warm or hard to the touch. There may be pain or a blister. The skin is not broken.
Stage 2 – The top layer of skin (epidermis) is broken and the sore looks open. There may be oozing or pus coming out of the bedsore.
Stage 3 – The sore is deeper and extends into the tissue below the skin’s surface. The area may have infection, including pus, drainage or a bad smell. At this stage, immediate action is required, included wound care.
Stage 4 – The worst stage. The wound is deep, extends into the muscle, and may go into the bone. The risk of infection is very high. Surgery is usually needed to repair the wound and prevent sepsis or worsening injections.
What are the Complications of Bedsores?
Bedsores increase the risk of potentially life-threatening bacterial infections like cellulitis. If left untreated, a patient may develop sepsis or require an amputation.
Some people develop sinus tracts, which are passages that connect the pressure sore injury to structures deeper in your body. These individuals can suffer from:
- Bacteria in your bloodstream that leads to endocarditis.
- Bone infections (osteomyelitis).
- Streptococcus infections, such as cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease).
The Duty to Present and Treat Bedsores and Ulcers
Under Michigan law, nursing home staff have a duty to ensure their patients remain safe from preventable dangers, especially bed sores. Many patients are not mobile and older in age. They are predisposed to developing bedsores and pressure ulcers.
If a patient is on bed rest, to prevent bedsores and pressure ulcers, a staff member should change the position of a patient at least every few hours. Bedding should be smooth and one leg should not be lying on top of another. If a person is lying on their side, place a pillow between the legs. Make sure the heels are raised or slightly off the bed.
If a patient is in a wheelchair, it is important the patient constantly shifts positions. If possible, lift the patient at times to ease the pressure on the buttocks and tailbone. A nursing home should also have alternatives, like a harness or lifting device to help the patient move and release pressure.
Nursing homes are negligent if they do not regularly check the resident’s skin to find abnormal areas, like redness or blistering skin. Consistent checks of the backside and heels are required. If it appears a bedsore is developing, a doctor must be notified. Failing to diagnose a bedsore or treat bedsores is evidence of negligent.
An experienced Michigan bedsore lawyer can help show why the nursing home was negligent. After proving negligence, a lawyer can also explain how the patient suffered and why the patient and his or her family are entitled to compensation for what occurred.
Nursing Home Bedsore Lawsuits
If a nursing home facility has failed to properly recognize and treat a bedsore, and the resulting bedsores or ulcers cause injury, a lawsuit against the nursing home may be required.
The nursing home bedsore lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm work aggressively right from the beginning. We obtain our client’s medical records, take photographs, and collect documentation to determine negligence and the extent of the injuries. If needed, we will file a lawsuit against the proper defendants and hire experts.
Compensation for Michigan nursing home bedsore cases comes in different forms. Not only are medical bills included, but so are pain and suffering, disfigurement, scarring, and out-of-pocket costs.
The Best Michigan Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyers
Any time you or a loved one experiences bedsores in a nursing home, you should seek prompt medical attention. This also includes contacting the expert attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm to help get better treatment and find out your rights.
Not only can we assist in pursuing a case for compensation, we can also help transition a patient to a safe and caring nursing home.
Call our law offices today 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-866-511-0594) or fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form so we can answer any questions you may have. And there are no legal fees until we win your case.