Our Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers Handle Bedsore Cases
Chicago attorneys who stand up for nursing home residents
One of the most prevalent problems in nursing homes is the occurrence of bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, in residents. These injuries can be caused or made worse by the negligence of nursing home staff. The nursing home neglect attorneys at Keating Law Offices, P.C. fight for the rights of residents.
Bedsores may appear as red blister-like areas on the skin or as open sores exposing underlying tissues. Permanent scars and damage to the skin and underlying tissues may result if the bedsores continue to go untreated. Bedsores are most common amongst residents who are immobile or non-active.
Nursing homes in Illinois are required to ensure residents maintain their quality of life and health, and bedsores are easily preventable. Regular monitoring by staff and proper care of wounds can stop them from forming and/or worsening. However, at any given time, there are nursing home residents suffering from bedsores.
Our lawyers hold negligent parties accountable
When residents of a nursing home or long-term care facility suffer from bedsores, it is often a warning sign that the nursing home is failing in its legal duty to provide proper medical care and treatment to its residents. A nursing home or other long-term care facility (including a hospital) may have been negligent if your family member or loved one suffered from a bedsore while staying there.
Bedsores develop in stages:
- Stage I – the skin is red and warm to the touch
- Stage II – the skin is broken and there is a wound that looks like a small blister
- Stage III – the wound has expanded and has cut through all layers of skin
- Stage IV – the wound is larger and there is extensive tissue damage
Because bedsores are open wounds, there is an increased risk of infection that can seriously impact the health of a nursing home resident. These infections include osteomyelitis (infection of the bone), cellulitis (infection of skin and soft tissue) and septicemia (infection of the blood).
Nursing homes know that there is a risk of bedsores among residents and have a responsibility to take steps to help prevent them and provide treatment if they occur. Failure to take these steps is neglect. Our attorneys fight to hold negligent nursing homes accountable and recover financial compensation on behalf of your loved one.
Experienced nursing home neglect attorneys
Recovering compensation can be complicated. Nursing homes often do not admit to doing anything wrong and will argue that seniors are simply more prone to developing bedsores. We do not accept that there was nothing else they could have done. That is why we investigate your loved one’s case ourselves.
Our legal team takes steps to preserve and collect evidence of your loved one’s care in the nursing home. This evidence includes:
- Body audits and skin assessments
- Wound assessment
- Medication Administration Records (MARs)
- Treatment Administration Records (TARs)
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL) sheets
- Nutritional assessment and weight records
We also interview witnesses and if needed, consult with medical experts who can investigate whether the nursing home followed accepted standards of care. Our attorneys know how to build a strong case that holds negligent parties responsible – one that nursing homes and their insurance company can’t ignore.
If your loved one suffered from bedsores, learn more about how a nursing home neglect attorney can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
