Pressure ulcers can be extremely painful. If your elderly loved one is suffering, call a dedicated Orange County bed sores lawyer for help. Siegel Law focuses on nursing home neglect and abuse and can help you fight for justice.
What Are Bed Sores & Pressure Ulcers?
If you have a loved one who is fully or partially bedridden, he or she is at great risk for developing bed sores. Bed sores, also referred to as pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, and pressure ulcers, are caused by pressure that limits blood flow to the skin. Over time, this lack of blood flow causes the gradual death of the tissue. If not treated, these sores will expand and go deeper into the flesh, eventually reaching the bone. Bed sores are very painful and can progress to bone infections, gangrene, and ultimately result in amputation. Bed sores themselves won’t kill a person, but gangrene, infections, cellulitis, cancer, and sepsis resulting from the bed sores can.
If you have a family member who developed bed sores while under a caregiver’s care, he or she may be entitled to compensation for things like pain and suffering, medical bills, permanent injury, medical malpractice, and more. To get the settlement your loved one deserves, you’ll need to secure the representation and guidance of an experienced elder abuse attorney in Orange County.
Since 2002, attorney Travis Siegel of Siegel Law has been a passionate advocate for the rights of senior citizens suffering from bed sores and other abuse and neglect. Call his offices today for a free case evaluation about your bed sores case.
Risk Factors for Bed Sores
People at risk for bed sores share the following:
Poor blood circulation: This includes people with conditions like diabetes, heart conditions, and kidney disease.
Immobility: People who are paralyzed or have trouble moving on their own are at a high risk for developing bed sores is if they aren’t routinely moved. Patients who are bedridden or confined to wheelchairs are more likely to develop bed sores.
Poor nutrition: Proper nutrition is essential for keeping skin healthy so it can heal and prevent bed sores.
Rubbing or friction: When your skin rubs against something hard like the edge of a wheelchair, or even something soft like a mattress, it increases the chances of bed sores developing.
Contributing Factors to Bed Sores
Certain conditions can contribute to the development of bed sores, such as:
Moisture: Patients who are incontinent, sweat excessively, or are kept too warm have a higher likelihood of developing bed sores.
Nerve damage: If a patient is unable to experience sensation or feel pain in a body part, he or she may not experience the discomfort associated with the development of a bed sore and seek treatment.
Bed sores are painful, unsightly, and can lead to a host of serious health issues. They are also largely preventable in many cases.
Free Consultation With a Top Orange County Bed Sores Attorney
If you have a loved one who developed bed sores while under care in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or at home with a qualified caregiver, you likely have grounds for a civil lawsuit. When caregivers assume the responsibility of caring for an elderly patient, they have a duty to do so. This includes routinely moving a patient, keeping a patient comfortable and dry, and being vigilant for signs of bed sores developing.
Don’t let another party’s negligence cause pain and suffering to someone close to you. Contact an Orange County bed sores lawyer at Siegel Law today for a free consultation. Call us at (562) 645-4145 or request a complimentary consultation.
If your elderly loved one is being abused or mistreated, learn how our attorney can help you. You can reach us by calling (562) 372-6904 or using the form below.
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