Residents in Long Island Nursing Homes are Suffering From Bedsores
We know when our loved one lives in a nursing home on Long Island, whether it is in Nassau, Suffolk, or Queens, there is a chance that they will not receive proper care. Our New York bedsore lawyers often hear about stories of abuse and neglect in nursing homes across New York and the country. Despite federal and state laws requiring nursing homes to provide a level of care that ensures their safety, residents are at risk every day of emotional and physical injuries, particularly of developing bedsores.
What happens when nursing home employees and operators fail to provide the proper level of care, which includes taking steps to prevent bedsores? They may be liable for damages.
At Alonso Krangle, LLP, our New York bedsore lawyers and nursing home abuse attorneys represent clients across Long Island when negligence causes them to suffer from bedsores and other injuries. We have experience holding nursing nursing homes accountable for their negligent and abusive actions. If your loved one lives in a nursing home on Long Island and is suffering from bedsores, call Alonso Krangle, LLP, to find out if you can file a legal claim.
What Are Bedsores and How Does Nursing Home Negligence Cause Them to Occur?
Bedsores are also called pressure ulcers or pressure sores. They are painful skin lesions that form when nursing home patients remain in one position for too long, such as in bed or a wheelchair. Bedsores are preventable when nursing employees provide proper care. Residents should never remain in the same position for an extended time.
It is often up to the nursing home employees to move residents or at least help them, depending on the type of care they require. Nursing homes should have policies and procedures that ensure residents are moved at regular intervals, repositioned, shifted, and cushioned as needed to avoid bedsores.
Failing to monitor residents and ensure they are not sedentary for too long can be negligent. When bedsores develop because of negligence, the nursing home may be liable for injuries that result.
Some Nursing Home Residents in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens Have a High Risk of Developing Bedsores
Nursing home residents have a generally higher risk of developing bedsores than others. Why? Because nursing home residents are often compromised physically and/or emotionally, depending on others to tend to their basic needs. Many nursing home residents have limited independent mobility. Some have none.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: Bedsores
Nursing home employees must take extra care to ensure these vulnerable residents do not develop bedsores. Nursing homes must pay attention to some of the risk factors making particular residents prone to bedsores. Who is most vulnerable to develop bedsores:
- Residents who are dehydrated
- Residents who are over 75 years old
- Residents who have limited mobility or no mobility
- Residents who are underweight
- Residents who can’t feed themselves
- Diabetic residents
- Residents who are incontinent
- Residents who suffer from decreased cognitive ability
- Residents with dry, cracked skin
- Malnourished residents
This list is by no means exhaustive. Nursing home residents on Long Island are always at risk of developing bedsores. But for those who rely solely on or in large part on nursing home employees to fulfill their duty of care, it is a higher risk. When negligence occurs, bedsores can form, become infected, and cause pain to the victim. This is where our New York bedsore lawyers can help.
Bedsores in Nursing Homes on Long Island – The Four Stages of Bedsores
There are four stages of bedsores that go from bad to worse.
- Stage 1 – red sores exist but are not open wounds. They might hurt.
- Stage 2 – the skin around the sores can open, wear down, or form painful ulcers. The sores deepen into the skin, causing what looks like scrapes or blisters. The skin at this stage may still be treatable or may be beyond repair.
- Stage 3 – sores continue to worsen. They begin to deepen, damaging the tissue under the skin and causing painful craters.
- Stage 4 – at this stage, the bedsores are very deep and may permanently damage muscle and bone. The tissue might get damaged so badly that it dies.
It may be up to you, a family member or friend, to be on the lookout for signs of bedsores.
Treatment of Bedsores in Nursing Homes
Treating bedsores can become more difficult as they worsen. Treatments can range anywhere from:
- Cleaning and dressing the sores with medicated bandages
- Keeping sores moist and clean
- Removing damaged and dead tissue
- Surgery
- Drugs to fight pain
- Drugs to fight infection
- Negative pressure therapy
- Physical therapy
Bedsores often require a combination of some of the above. If your loved one in a nursing home in New York does not receive adequate attention and they get bedsores that do not receive treatment, consider speaking to our lawyers about a claim.
Call the New York Bedsore Lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP if a Loved One Suffers Bedsores in a Nursing Home, Care Facility or Hospital
Our experienced lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP, represent clients in Queens County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County when their loved ones are victims of negligent nursing homes. We work hard to hold nursing homes liable when they and their employees fail to meet the standards of care they owe to residents. If your loved one develops bedsores while living in a nursing home, chances are negligence is their cause.
Compensation for Bedsores: Understanding Your Rights
If you or a loved one has experienced bedsores due to negligence or abuse in a nursing home, you may be entitled to compensation. Understanding your rights in seeking compensation for bedsores is crucial to ensure you receive adequate financial support for the damages suffered.
Calculating Damages in a Bedsores Lawsuit
Calculating damages in bedsores cases involves considering various factors. Economic damages typically include medical expenses incurred for treating the bedsores, such as doctor’s visits, medications, specialized wound care, and surgeries. It may also cover the costs of rehabilitation and ongoing care if the bedsores result in long-term complications. Documenting these expenses thoroughly is essential to demonstrate the financial impact of the bedsores. Our experienced New York bedsore lawyers are here to help you.
Non-Economic Damages in a Nursing Home Abuse Case
Non-economic damages are another aspect of compensation in bedsores cases. These damages encompass the emotional distress, pain, and suffering endured as a result of the bedsores and any related complications. Additionally, the loss of quality of life caused by the bedsores, such as limitations in mobility or the ability to engage in daily activities, can be considered when determining non-economic damages.
Our New York Bedsore Lawyers May Seek Punitive Damages
In cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may also be sought. Punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future. They can be awarded when the actions of the nursing home or healthcare facility are deemed particularly egregious, such as knowingly failing to provide proper care despite being aware of the risks of bedsores.
Navigating Legal Channels: The Crucial Role of Pressure Ulcer Attorneys
Pressure ulcers (bedsores), represent a grave medical condition that can emerge due to instances of neglect or maltreatment within nursing homes and healthcare establishments. If you or someone close to you has suffered from pressure ulcers due to deficient care, comprehending the significant role that pressure ulcer attorneys play in pursuing legal redress is indispensable. Our attorneys possess specific knowledge and proficiency in managing legal disputes related to pressure ulcers, legal suits, and instances of abuse within nursing homes.
When you initiate a consultation with our pressure ulcer attorneys, they commence with an assessment of your case’s validity. A meticulous evaluation of medical records, documentation of rendered care, and any other pertinent evidence forms the basis of their investigation to ascertain if there’s a foundation for legal proceedings. Our pressure ulcer lawyers are proficient in the rules and regulations concerning nursing home care and are capable of determining whether your situation involved neglect or abuse.
Upon acceptance of your case, our New York bedsore lawyers begin the collection of evidence to construct a solid legal case. This process may involve securing expert evaluations from healthcare professionals who can provide testimony about the expected standard of care and how this was violated in your particular situation. They will also gather any existing photographs, videos, or testimonies from witnesses that bolster your case.
Our attorneys will champion your cause for medical expenses, encompassing costs related to treating the pressure ulcers, and any potential future medical necessities. Furthermore, they will strive to obtain damages for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and the loss of life’s pleasures. By capitalizing on their comprehension of the legal system and negotiation abilities, a pressure ulcer attorney will dedicate themselves to securing the compensation you are entitled to.
Contact the New York Bedsore Lawyers at Alonso Krangle
Call 800-403-6191 to receive a free evaluation of your Long Island nursing home neglect and abuse claim. There are time limits to file claims, so call today. Don’t wait for things to get worse.
Alonso Krangle, LLP, can help protect your loved one when negligence is causing bedsores. We can help you collect damages the laws allow when neglect or abuse results in injuries to nursing home residents. Call today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a bedsore?
A bedsore, also known as a pressure ulcer or decubitus ulcer, is a skin and tissue injury that occurs when prolonged pressure cuts off the circulation to certain parts of the body, particularly the skin on bony areas like the hips, heels, or the base of the spine. Without sufficient blood flow, the skin can die and a bedsore can develop.
2. Can bedsores be a basis for a lawsuit?
Yes, bedsores can be the basis for a lawsuit, especially in cases involving nursing home neglect or medical malpractice. If a caregiver or medical professional failed to provide the necessary care to prevent or treat bedsores, they may be held liable.
3. What is considered negligence in bedsore cases?
Negligence in bedsore cases often involves a failure to properly monitor and care for patients who are bedridden or have limited mobility. This could mean failing to reposition patients regularly, failing to maintain proper hygiene, failing to provide adequate nutrition and hydration, or failing to treat existing bedsores effectively.
4. How can I prove negligence in a bedsore lawsuit?
To prove negligence in a bedsore lawsuit, you will typically need to demonstrate that a caregiver or medical professional had a duty of care to the patient, that they breached this duty by failing to provide proper care, that this failure resulted in the development or worsening of bedsores, and that these bedsores caused harm or injury to the patient.
5. Who can be held liable in a bedsore lawsuit?
In a bedsore lawsuit, various parties can potentially be held liable. This includes individual caregivers, nurses, doctors, or other healthcare professionals who failed to provide adequate care. It could also include entities such as nursing homes, hospitals, or healthcare corporations if the neglect or malpractice was a result of their policies or negligence.
6. What damages can be recovered in a bedsore lawsuit?
The damages that can be recovered in a bedsore lawsuit can vary, but may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and, in some cases, punitive damages. In cases where the patient has died, family members may be able to recover damages for wrongful death.
7. How long do I have to file a bedsore lawsuit?
The timeframe for filing a bedsore lawsuit, also known as the statute of limitations, can vary based on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case. It’s important to consult with a legal professional to understand these deadlines.
8. How can an attorney help with a bedsore lawsuit?
An attorney can provide valuable assistance in a bedsore lawsuit by helping to gather evidence, navigate legal procedures, negotiate with insurance companies or opposing parties, and represent you in court. An experienced attorney can also provide a realistic assessment of what your case may be worth and the likelihood of success.
9. Are there special considerations for bedsore lawsuits involving nursing homes?
Yes, nursing home cases may involve specific regulations and standards of care, and may also require demonstrating that the nursing home’s negligence or neglect directly led to the bedsores. Additionally, some nursing homes may require residents to sign arbitration agreements that can affect their right to a trial.
10. Can I file a bedsore lawsuit if my loved one has passed away?
Yes, if your loved one has passed away from complications related to bedsores, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The specific laws and procedures for this can vary by jurisdiction, so it’s important to consult with a legal professional.