Pressure Sores

Pressure Sore Attorneys

Nursing Home Bedsore Attorneys in the Inland Empire

Is your loved one in a nursing home and suffering from pressure ulcers, otherwise known as bedsores or pressure sores? Pressure sores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue which are caused by prolonged pressure against the skin. Those at the greatest risk of developing pressure sores are people with a medical condition which impairs their ability to change positions, therefore, requiring them to use a wheelchair or be confined to a bed for prolonged periods.

Bedsores occur when pressure against the skin inhibits adequate blood supply to the skin and underlying tissues. In nursing homes, specific conditions of neglect or abuse can contribute to pressure sores; for example, if a resident is left in one position for too long they can suffer from what is called sustained pressure. Another common cause is friction, meaning a resident can sustain sores when they have been handled roughly by caregivers and their skin is dragged across a surface. Friction between sensitive skin and another surface can make the fragile skin more vulnerable to injury.

Bedsores are very painful and should never be allowed to persist. If you suspect that your loved one is the victim of nursing home neglect, call our Ontario attorneys today for experienced legal help!

Risk Factors & Complications

In the nursing home environment, pressure sores are often a sign of abuse or neglect. Some of the factors that increase the risk of pressure sores include:

• Inadequate Nutrition and Hydration – Skin requires an adequate amount of protein, calories, fluids, vitamins, and minerals in the daily diet in order to maintain healthy skin and preventing the breakdown of skin tissues.
• Excess Levels of Moisture or Dryness – Skin that is either excessively moist or dry is more likely to be injured and increases the friction between the skin and clothing or bedding.

Compensation for Pressure Sore Injuries in Inland Empire Nursing Homes

Pressure sores are not something to ignore, if left untreated they can lead to serious complications including sepsis, cellulitis, bone and joint infections, and even an aggressive form of cancer that is a called squamous cell carcinoma that develops in chronic, non-healing wounds and usually requires surgery.