Bedsore Lawyer in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bedsores, pressure ulcers, and decubitus ulcers can sometimes be an indication that a nursing home resident, long-term care patient, or medical patient is suffering from neglect. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 159,000 nursing home residents suffer from pressure ulcers. Bedsores can become infected and they can be potentially deadly. As many as 28% of nursing home residents might develop bedsores. Bedsores can be indicative of serious problems in a nursing home. For example, immobile or bedridden patients should be moved every 2 hours and cleaned regularly. If a nursing home fails to provide this kind of care, a patient can develop bedsores. Bedsores can also develop when nursing home residents don’t receive the nutrition they need and deserve. Malnutrition among residents can be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect.

According to WebMD, bedsores can be prevented when nursing homes, caretakers, and medical facilities take certain steps. Bedsores occur when low-mobility or bedridden patients aren’t moved frequently enough. Here are some steps nursing homes can take to prevent bedsores:

  • Move the patient or resident every 2 hours
  • Use special support mattresses or surfaces
  • Bathe frequently
  • Keep residents clean who suffer from incontinence
  • Check patient’s skin for pressure sores
  • Maintain patients on a healthy diet
  • Ensure patients and residents are receiving adequate hydration

Bedsores are highly preventable. However, when they develop, they can be a warning sign to families that individuals may not be receiving the care they need or deserve. If your loved one has suffered from a bedsore while residing in a nursing home or while receiving care at a long-term care facility, consider speaking to The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC a bedsore lawyer in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our firm can review the circumstances of your case and fight to help you and your family receive money to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages resulting from medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, nursing home abuse, or caregiver neglect. Too often, nursing homes put their bottom lines above resident care. You have rights under the law.

Pressure Ulcers May Not Be Reported to Families in Albuquerque, New Mexico

You may not always know that your loved one is suffering from a pressure ulcer. Nursing homes or caretakers may not mention this to family because the nursing home may want to protect itself from lawsuits or litigation. However, if your loved one’s pressure sore goes untreated or worsens, your loved one could suffer from serious complications and even death. If you do notice a pressure ulcer in your loved one, it is important to speak up and tell nursing home staff and medical professionals immediately. When left untreated, sores can become infected and lead to more serious conditions.

Pressure ulcers worsen in stages and can worsen and develop quickly. According to Hopkins Medicine, pressure ulcers go through four stages. However, not all pressure ulcers fit neatly into these categories, so if you notice a sore in your loved one, it is important to get it looked at by a medical professional.

  • Stage 1: In stage one, a pressure ulcer may not always be immediately detectable to family, medical professionals, or nursing home staff. There may be redness or soreness in the area, but no broken skin or wound. If a pressure ulcer is caught during this stage, the nursing home or caretaker should take measures to relieve pressure from the sore area, by moving the patient more frequently and keeping pressure off the sensitive area.
  • Stage 2: Most pressure ulcers are diagnosed during stage 2. In fact, most nursing home pressure ulcers are stage 2. During stage two, the pressure ulcer may appear as a blister, wound, or open ulcer. Proper wound care and treatment is necessary when a pressure ulcer reaches this stage.
  • Stage 3: During stage three, skin loss is complete, and fat beneath the skin surface may be visible. Bones, tendons, and muscles remain unaffected. In this stage, doctors and nursing homes need to take great care that the wound doesn’t become infected and that the ulcer doesn’t develop into stage 4.
  • Stage 4: In stage 4, the pressure ulcer has become so serious that bone, muscle, and tendons are exposed. This is a serious and life-threatening condition.

If your loved one develops a pressure ulcer, the nursing home, caretaker, or doctor should take steps to manage your loved one’s pain, clean the wound, cover the wound, and prevent infection. Steps should be taken to address the cause of the ulcer. Sometimes, pressure ulcers develop because patients and residents of nursing homes don’t receive adequate nutrition or care. If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, consider speaking to the pressure ulcer lawyers at The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC in Albuquerque, New Mexico today. Your loved one deserves quality care. A pressure ulcer can be life-threatening if it is not treated. Time is of the essence.

Caring for Decubitus Ulcers is Expensive in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Seek Help

Bedsores, or decubitus ulcers can be costly to treat. Families may face hundreds of dollars or even tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs. If a decubitus ulcer becomes infected, patients may require hospital care or other forms of long-term care. Decubitus ulcers can lead to greater immobility in patients and can also cause patients immense pain and suffering. Sometimes decubitus ulcers never heal. Patients may face permanent or long-term disability as a result of developing a bedsore. If your loved one has developed a decubitus ulcer, you may be facing high medical costs, lost wages due to missed time from work or find yourself missing time from work to care for your loved one. The Law Office of Brian K. Branch, PC are decubitus ulcer lawyers in Albuquerque, New Mexico who help families seek damages to cover their medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. You may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law. Contact our lawyers today at 505-207-4401 to learn more.