At Arias Sanguinetti, we understand how important proper care and respect for every nursing home resident is. When neglect leads to preventable bed sores, our team of Los Angeles nursing home bed sores lawyers believes that there must be justice and accountability.
With over 300 years of combined experience, our team of lawyers at Arias Sanguinetti is committed to addressing nursing home abuse cases, including bed sore injuries. Our Los Angeles nursing home abuse lawyers work directly with families to seek justice.
If your loved one has developed bed sores in a nursing home or assisted living facility, reach out for a free consultation. We’re here to help without any upfront costs.
Most Common Causes of Bedsores in Los Angeles Nursing Homes
Bedsores, often painful and preventable, are serious injuries that can indicate neglect. As Los Angeles personal injury lawyers, we understand how essential it is to protect your loved ones. Bed sores can result from:
- Pressure: Prolonged pressure limits blood flow, depriving skin tissues of oxygen and nutrients, leading to sores.
- Friction: Skin rubbing against surfaces, like bedding, can damage the protective layers, resulting in sores.
- Shear: Sliding in an inclined bed can cause the skin to tear as underlying tissues move in different directions.
Recognizing bedsores early can help identify signs of elder abuse and prevent further harm to vulnerable loved ones.
Risk Factors for Bedsores
Bedsores are most common among individuals who remain seated or lying down for long periods. While bedsores can occur in any setting, they are most frequently found in hospitals and nursing homes.
Typically, people shift positions naturally to relieve pressure; however, those unable to move on their own require assistance to be repositioned. Without frequent movement, prolonged pressure can lead to bedsores. Repositioning is simple, but negligent nursing homes routinely fail to take this necessary step.
The most common risk factors for bedsores include:
- Limited mobility or immobility
- Loss of sensation, such as from diabetes
- Cognitive impairment
- Incontinence, which can irritate the skin
- Poor nutrition or dehydration
- Poor hygiene
- Medical conditions affecting blood flow
These conditions often affect elderly individuals, particularly those in nursing homes, increasing their susceptibility to bedsores.
If you suspect a loved one has developed bedsores due to neglect, a Los Angeles nursing home bed sores attorney can help assess the situation and provide guidance.
Los Angeles Bedsores Lawyer Near Me 310-844-9696
Los Angeles Nursing Home Bed Sore Stages
As Los Angeles nursing home bed sore lawyers, are dedicated to protecting vulnerable seniors. There have been recent updates to the definitions surrounding bed sores. In 2016, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel redefined the stages of pressure injuries based on the depth and severity of skin and tissue damage.
Here’s a breakdown of these stages:
Stage 1 Bed Sore
Stage 1 is marked by non-blanchable erythema—red, intact skin that doesn’t lose redness when pressed. The area may be tender, warmer, or firmer than nearby skin.
Stage 2 Bed Sore
Stage 2 involves partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis, appearing as an open sore or blister. The wound typically looks shiny and shallow, with no visible slough or eschar.
Stage 3 Bed Sore
A Stage 3 sore indicates full-thickness skin loss, exposing fat and new tissue (granulation). Slough or eschar may appear, though bones and muscles remain hidden.
Stage 4 Bed Sore
Stage 4 sores are severe, showing full-thickness skin and tissue loss, with tendons, ligaments, muscles, or bones exposed.
Unstageable Pressure Injury
If slough or eschar obscures the wound depth, it’s labeled as “unstageable.” Removing the tissue reveals the injury, often at Stage 3 or 4.
Deep Tissue Pressure Injury (DTPI)
This injury appears as a deep purple, maroon, or red area of intact or non-intact skin that doesn’t blanch when pressed. Severe cases expose muscles, bones, or tendons, indicating advanced tissue damage.
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How Bedsores Can Become Life-Threatening
Bedsores are far more than a minor issue; if untreated, they can become dangerous. At Stage 4, they penetrate deep into muscles, joints, and even bones, leading to serious health risks.
Severe bedsores often bring infections like cellulitis, a bacterial skin condition, and sepsis, where the body’s immune response can damage tissues. Without treatment, these infections may escalate, putting health at severe risk.
If your loved one is dealing with advanced bedsores, taking immediate action is extremely important. Speaking with a nursing home bedsores lawyer in Los Angeles can provide guidance on how to protect their well-being and prevent further harm.
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How Your Los Angeles Nursing Home Bed Sores Attorney Can Establish Liability
Nursing homes can be held responsible when residents suffer from bedsores due to negligence. Negligence means failing to meet the standard of care expected, causing harm to residents.
To prove negligence in a bedsore case, four elements must be shown:
- Duty: Nursing home staff have a duty to protect residents from harm, including preventing bedsores. For immobile patients, reasonable actions include regular repositioning, keeping them clean if incontinent, and responding promptly to assistance requests.
- Breach: A breach occurs when staff actions fall below the expected standard, such as failing to reposition or clean residents regularly. These lapses reflect inadequate care for a nursing home resident.
- Causation: It must be shown that the breach caused the bedsores. For example, if staff had regularly repositioned the resident, bedsores likely wouldn’t have developed.
- Damages: Damages are the harm the resident suffered, including medical bills, pain, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Multiple parties may be liable in bedsore cases, including nursing home owners, administration, staff, and even medical device manufacturers if a defective product played a role in the injury.
Arias Sanguinetti: Advocating for Families Affected by Nursing Home Neglect
If your loved one has developed bedsores in a nursing home, it’s a heartbreaking sign they may not be receiving the care they deserve. At Arias Sanguinetti, our Los Angeles nursing home bed sores lawyers understand the pain this can cause and are here to help you hold those responsible accountable.
We’ve obtained over $1.5 billion for previous clients; Arias Sanguinetti brings extensive experience and commitment to addressing the harm caused by nursing home neglect.
A free consultation can provide clarity and guidance, helping you take the next steps to protect your loved one’s well-being.
Call or text 310-844-9696 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
