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Washington DC Bedsores Attorney
Many elder individuals in long-term care face issues with immobility. Some are unable to walk, others cannot sense pain, and many do not have the strength to even turn over in bed. In these circumstances, it is essential that nursing home staff closely monitor the patients and reposition them frequently. If this does not happen, these elder men and women risk developing painful and dangerous bedsores.
The Law Office of Jeffrey J. Downey represents people injured by nursing home negligence in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Call us at 703-564-7318.
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores (also called pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers, dermal ulcers or pressure wounds) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues. These sores develop when an area of the skin is under pressure from lying in bed or sitting in a wheelchair for an extended period of time. They can develop on any part of the body but are most common in the hips, heels or tailbone.
Constant pressure on the skin reduces blood supply to that area. When oxygen and nutrients that are carried by the blood cannot reach skin tissue cells, cell death will occur. This can happen in as little as two or three hours.
There are typically four stages of a pressure:
- As the skin dies, the bedsore first starts as a red, painful area, which eventually turns purple.
- Left untreated, the skin can break open and the wound can extend deep into the skin, causing infection.
- The sore deepens and extends into the tissue below the skin, reaching into layers of fat.
- The sore reaches the muscles, bones and/or tendons.
Once a bedsore develops, it is often very slow to heal. They can be very painful and result in severe complications such as infection in the bone or blood. Some of the damage can be irreversible. Bedsores can even result in death.
What Should I Do If My Family Member Develops A Bedsore?
If you discover a loved one in a nursing home has suffered a bedsore, you need to demand immediate medical attention. In addition, take a picture of the wound if possible. Your next step should be to contact a lawyer who is qualified to handle elder abuse cases. While you may be entitled to financial compensation, it is also important to bring awareness to nursing home neglect — not only for the sake of your family member, but also for anyone who may ever face nursing home care.
Preventing bedsores requires time, effort and adequate staffing. Nursing homes that accept severely ill and immobile patients must be equipped to handle frequent turning and positioning. If the staff does not have the time or the necessary training to do so, the facility can be held responsible for nursing home neglect.
Get The Legal Help You Need. Contact Our Law Firm Today.
If your family member developed bedsores from a nursing home in Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland or the District of Columbia, contact The Law Office of Jeffrey J. Downey, P.C., right away at 703-564-7318. Our Washington, D.C., bedsore lawyer can help you bring a legal claim for compensation and justice.
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