Did your loved one develop a serious bed sore while in a nursing home or other type of assisting living facility in Illinois? It is a serious issue—and it could be an earlier warning sign of neglect. Bed sores require the proper medical treatment. In many cases, they happen, at least in part, because a vulnerable person is not receiving the proper care. Here, our Chicago nursing home abuse attorney provides a more detailed explanation of what bed sores are, why they can be an early warning sign of neglect, and an overview of your legal options to protect your loved one.
What are Bed Sores?
As defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine, bed sores are “areas of skin damage caused by a lack of blood flow.” They are also referred to as pressure sores or pressure ulcers. While bed sores can occur on virtually any part of the body, they are most common on skin that covers bony areas of the body—such as the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone. Bed sores are notoriously painful. Further, these injuries can develop quickly and are notoriously difficult to treat. Prevention is key.
People most at risk for bed sores are those with a medical condition that limits their ability to change positions or spend most of their time in a bed or chair. Notably, nursing home residents often face a high risk of developing bed sores. Many residents have limited mobility due to age, medical conditions, or physical disabilities, which restricts their ability to change positions. Further. older adults are more susceptible to bed sores because they usually have thinner, more fragile skin.
The Stages of Bed Sores (These are Progressive Injuries)
How serious is a bedsore? The answer depends on a number of different factors, including how recently the injury developed. Indeed, bed sores can range from mild reddening of the skin to severe wounds that expose underlying bones and muscles. Typically, bed sores are injuries that get progressively worse unless the proper treatment is provided. The development of bed sores involves several stages, including:
- Developing Bed Sore: The earliest stage, where the skin appears red on lighter skin tones and may not have a clear color change in darker skin tones but feels warmer or cooler to the touch. The area may be painful, firm, soft, warmer, or cooler than other skin.
- Bed Sore With Skin Breaking Open: While the wound tends to be superficial and presents as a blister or a shallow crater. Still, the top layer of spin is wearing away.
- A Deeper Injury Due to Bed Sore: With this severity, the bed sore gets worse and starts to impact the tissue beneath the skin, forming a deep, crater-like wound. A bed sore that has reached this stage is often a very serious injury that can be quite painful.
- Serious Medical Emergency Bed Sore The most severe stage, where the sore is very deep. It can adversely affect muscle and bone—potentially causing severe harm. Damage to deeper tissues, tendons, and joints may occur. Emergency care is a must.
Bed Sores Can Be a Warning Sign of Neglect in a Nursing Home
Bed sores are not only painful, they can also be a red flag for nursing home neglect. Notably, bed sores among nursing home residents are largely preventable. Most often, they can be avoided with the appropriate treatment, including regular repositioning, proper nutrition, and vigilant skin care.
Proper management and staffing are crucial in preventing these injuries. Persistent bed sores may indicate that a facility is failing to meet the basic needs of its residents. It is a strong sign that there is an issue related to understaffing or inadequate training.
Here is the key point to now: Families should view the presence of bed sores as a warning sign that their loved one may not be receiving the attention and care they deserve. If your vulnerable loved one has developed bed sores in a nursing home, you should always follow up on the issue.
A Nursing Home Can Be Held Liable for Harm Caused By Neglect
In Illinois, a nursing home can be held legally liable for harm caused by neglect, including the development of bed sores. When facilities fail to provide the standard of care required, such as regular repositioning of residents, adequate nutrition, and timely medical intervention, they may be considered negligent. The unfortunate reality is that negligence can lead to serious health complications for residents, for which the nursing home can be held responsible. Families of affected residents should take action.
Compensation for Nursing Home Neglect Victims in Illinois
Victims of nursing home neglect have the right to hold the at-fault facility legally responsible for economic and non-economic harm. In Illinois, compensation may be sought for a wide range of different damages. However, sadly, nursing homes and their insurance companies fight hard to pay out as little as possible to victims. Our Chicago nursing home negligence lawyers are committed to helping victims and families secure the maximum financial support, including for:
- Emergency medical expenses;
- Hospital bills and other medical costs;
- The cost to relocate your loved one;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental distress;
- Disability or disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Why Trust Our Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in the Fight for Justice
We put a lot of trust in the hands of nursing homes and other assisted living facilities. However, unfortunately, these entities do not always uphold their end of the bargain. Nursing home neglect is a serious problem in Illinois. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our team of Chicago attorneys hold negligence nursing homes accountable. If your loved one is being neglected, you need to take legal action. We can help. With a proven record of verdicts and settlements in complex cases, our Chicago nursing home negligence attorneys are strong advocates for justice.
We Handle Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Claims in Chicago
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys are standing by, ready to help. If your loved one was the victim of negligence, we can help. Get in touch with us now to arrange your no cost, no obligation, and strictly confidential initial consultation. Our firm is based in Chicago and we handle nursing home abuse cases across the region, including in Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County.