Hyattsville, MD Nursing Home Bedsores Attorney

Dedicated Lawyer for Bedsore Injuries Caused by Nursing Home Neglect in Hyattsville, Maryland

Elderly people or others with disabilities who live in nursing homes rely on staff members to help address their daily needs. The care provided should address proper hygiene, nutrition, and regular movement to help residents avoid health complications. When a nursing home fails to provide the necessary care, residents may suffer from preventable injuries such as bedsores.

Bedsores are not simply a minor skin issue; they are painful, dangerous wounds that can lead to serious infections, hospitalization, and even wrongful death. At Kisner Law, we work with families to address bedsore injuries that have been caused by nursing home neglect. Attorney Jason Kisner understands how families can be affected by nursing home negligence, and he will take aggressive action to ensure that they can receive compensation that will allow them to meet their loved one's needs.

What Are Bedsores?

Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that may develop when blood flow is restricted due to pressure on certain parts of the body. When a person remains in one position for long periods of time, the pressure on areas that are in constant contact with a bed or chair may develop pressure sores. Common areas where bedsores occur include the hips, tailbone, heels, elbows, shoulders, and the back of the head.

Bedsores may progress through four stages:

• Stage 1: Red, irritated skin that may be warm or tender
• Stage 2: Open wounds or blisters affecting the outer layer of skin
• Stage 3: Deeper wounds that extend into the tissue beneath the skin
• Stage 4: Severe damage that may affect muscles, tendons, or bones

When left untreated, bedsores can quickly get worse due to ongoing pressure on these wounds. Patients may experience a variety of complications, including infections, sepsis, or permanent tissue damage.

How Bedsores Can Occur Due to Nursing Home Neglect

Bedsores should be preventable if a person receives the proper care. When a resident is immobile or bedridden and dependent on staff members to address their hygiene and other needs, they may develop bedsores due to neglect. This neglect may include:

• Failure to Reposition Residents Regularly: A person who cannot move on their own must be turned or shifted frequently to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas. When staff members fail to monitor residents and reposition them when needed, bedsores may develop.
• Poor Hygiene and Moisture Management: Exposure to urine, feces, or sweat can weaken the skin and accelerate the development of bedsores. Staff members who fail to attend to a resident's hygienic needs may be responsible for allowing bedsores to develop.
• Inadequate Nutrition and Hydration: Residents who are malnourished or dehydrated will be more likely to experience injuries, and their bodies will take longer to heal from bedsores. Bedsores may be more likely if staff members neglect to ensure that residents are eating proper meals and drinking water or receiving liquids through other sources.
• Lack of Proper Medical Assessment: Staff members should monitor residents and identify the signs of pressure sores. If residents are not checked regularly, or if staff members fail to respond to complaints, the appropriate treatment may not be provided to prevent bedsores or ensure that wounds will heal correctly.
• Understaffing or Untrained Personnel: Nursing homes may cut corners and fail to maintain the proper staff levels. When a nursing home does not have enough staff to fully attend to patients' needs, bedsores will be more likely to occur. If a nursing home does not take steps to ensure that staff members have the necessary training, bedsores may go unrecognized or untreated.

Contact Our Hyattsville, Maryland Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer for Bedsores

When nursing home residents experience bedsores, this is likely to be a sign of neglect. With the proper care, treatment, and supervision, bedsores are usually preventable. If you are concerned that nursing home neglect has led to bedsores or other injuries affecting your loved one, Kisner Law can help you take action to address this issue.

We approach each case with compassion and resolve. We know that you and your family probably feel betrayed, since you trusted a nursing home to provide for your loved one's needs and protect their health and safety. We can help you demonstrate that nursing home negligence was responsible for the harm your loved one has suffered, and we will fight to ensure that you can receive the compensation you need to provide the care your loved one deserves.

Contact us at 240-459-0097 to discuss your case in a free consultation. We are ready to help you hold a negligent nursing home responsible for failing to provide the proper care, and we will work to ensure that your loved one will be protected from harm in the future.