Nursing Home Negligence - Bedsores/ Pressure Ulcers

Individuals in the care of a nursing home may have health conditions that restrict their movements or confine them to bed or a wheelchair for a large portion of the day. If nursing home caregivers act negligently in caring for these individuals, pressure ulcers (bed sores) can result and lead to more serious, catastrophic injuries or even wrongful death.

The Causes of Bedsores

There are a few common causes of bed sores:

• Leaving a patient in the same position for too long
• Poor quality mattresses and wheelchairs
• Damp bed sheets or clothing
• Poor nutrition (a common contributing cause)
• Untreated infection

Common Locations for Bedsores

The areas of the body that most commonly develop bedsores and pressure ulcers are:

• Back of head and ears
• Shoulders
• Lower back, hips and buttocks
• Inner knees
• Heels
• Elbows

The Health Risks

Having severe bedsores can be a serious health risk because they allow bacteria and infection to enter the body. Unless they are treated appropriately, these will continue to deepen down to the bone and can eventually result in a necessary amputation or even death.

Bedsores are preventable with reasonable care. If your loved one has suffered from bedsores that caused catastrophic injury or wrongful death, you should contact the nursing home negligence attorneys of Snyder & Wenner, P.C. today. Whether the nursing home is in Phoenix, Arizona, or somewhere else in the country, we can investigate your case and bring a civil suit against the nursing home facility or caregiver responsible.