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Bed Sores

The occurrence of bed sores or pressure sores in a nursing home can trigger investigations of negligence and nursing home abuse. If your friend or relative is suffering from recurring bedsores, pressure sores that are not being treated or bed sores that have progressed to a serious stage, contact our Arizona Nursing Home Law Firm for a free consultation.

When bed sores are left untreated, they can have serious and even life-threatening complications, including skin and bone infections, blood poisoning (septicemia), and consequently, death. Bed sores, also known as decubitus ulcers, are localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue and usually occur over a bony prominence, such as areas with little body fat to cover them. This includes the hips, heels, shoulder blades, buttocks and the small of the back.

Pressure sores occur when a person is immobile for a long period of time, such as being confined to a bed, or sitting in a chair or wheelchair, without pressure being relieved. For patients who are in bed and unable to move, bed sores can begin to form after as little as 1-2 hours. Nursing home residents who are left to sit in chairs and are unable to move can get pressure ulcers in even less time because the force on the skin is greater. When the skin is not kept free of contact with urine, stool, or perspiration, the risk of developing a pressure ulcer also increases as these sources of moisture can irritate the skin, making it susceptible to decubitus ulcers.

When investigating nursing home negligence cases, the elder abuse law firm of Young & Wallin carefully scrutinizes the nursing home’s history of violations of both federal and state law to determine if there is pattern of neglect in the facility. Our attorneys will also investigate possible staffing and training deficiencies, which are often a primary cause of nursing home injuries.

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Bed sores develop in specific stages as outlined by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel.

Stage I

While unbroken, the top layers of skin show damage. The skin may appear red but when touched does not turn white. The skin remains red after the pressure is relieved. Darker skinned individuals may show skin discoloration. Other signs may include pain in the area, firmness of the skin, being warm to the touch or other changes in skin texture. A pressure sore may appear as a shallow open ulcer with a red pink wound bed or as an intact or open/ruptured blister.

Stage II

The damaged skin area may appear as a superficial abrasion, blister or shallow crater with a red pink wound bed.

Stage III

Damage appears on the skin, in subsequent tissue and muscle. The decubitus ulcer now appears to be a deep crater. Bone, tendon or muscles are not exposed.

Stage IV

Tissue loss is evident with exposed bone, tendon or muscle. Extensive damage to soft tissue, muscle, bone or tendons is evident.

Research indicates that 95% of all pressure sores are preventable, yet the estimated costs of treating all pressure ulcers throughout the US range up to $11 billion annually. Bedsores can be prevented by using support surfaces, frequent repositioning of the patient, massage, optimizing the nutritional status of the patient, keeping the skin clean, moisturizing dry skin, and providing opportunities for movement and exercise. It is also important that nursing home facilities ensure they have sufficient staffing levels and that staff is well trained in pressure sore prevention.

The skilled Nursing Home Abuse attorneys at Young & Wallin are dedicated to pursuing justice for those injured by nursing home abuse, neglect and medical misconduct and are committed to helping prevent nursing home abuse and neglect by diligently defending the rights of nursing home residents. Contact our Arizona nursing home abuse law firm for a free consultation. If we believe you have grounds for a personal injury case, we will only receive compensation if an award for damages or restitution is rendered.

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Young & Wallin achieved an excellent result. My father died due to neglect at a nursing home. Initially my family was apprehensive about pursuing it and we waited for over a year before contacting the law office. The facility kept stalling us with stories about an investigation, but never admitted any fault. In less than six months, I received compensation for the suffering and death of my father, and I am very happy with the results they achieved for my family.

C.D.

My husband suffered a stroke out of state and was transferred to a local rehabilitation facility. He was only in facility for nine days and suffered neglect and injury from falls and the failure to provide the care that they promised us. After contacting Young & Wallin, the facility immediately recognized their failure and agreed to compensate my husband for his suffering and injuries that he received. We did not expect much, but Young & Wallin got a great result for us. The staff and lawyers were very helpful and understanding throughout this process.

Young & Wallin is a great team to have on your side. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. They were always available when I had questions and are ready to help. I am very happy with the outcome that they obtained for our family.

L.L.

I was referred to Young & Wallin and they were very helpful in repairing my case. Another lawyer initiated my case but I felt that he was not providing me with good representation. Mr. Young obtained my case and got me an excellent outcome. The recovery I received was very fair.

I.G.

Young & Wallin are a great team and are very knowledgeable and helpful. They allowed me to have great input on my case and allowed me to be very involved with the process. The nursing home abuse lawyers took time for my questions and always had good advice and counsel for me. They made the whole process less stressful and it seemed manageable.

H.D.

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The information on this Arizona Nursing Home Abuse Attorney / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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