Morristown Bedsore Attorney

Primary Causes of Bedsores in Nursing Facilities

In general, bedsores occur because of too much pressure or force on the skin for an extended period of time. This can happen in a number of different ways:

• • Patients who are left in the same position for hours at a time can develop bedsores because of the constant and unrelenting pressure on their skin and the tissues that separate skin from bone. This can occur for patients who are confined to a wheelchair or those who are left in bed without moving for extended periods of time.
  • Friction is another way in which bedsores can begin. This can happen when patients shift or move against bedsheets or other surfaces to create a scraping sensation that can cause serious injuries over time.
  • If the skin moves away from the bone in certain ways, this can also cause damage to the tissues under the skin. This condition is called shear and is a common reason for bedsores among patients in nursing facilities.
  • Neglect, malnutrition and dehydration have also been associated with the development of bedsores in certain vulnerable patients. These issues generally arise because of lack of attention or care from those tasked with caring for those living in nursing facilities.

Bedsores can be extremely painful. If the patient experiences no pain, however, these medical conditions can be even more serious and can develop into life-threatening issues for patients in the nursing home environment. In both cases, bedsores are usually a sign that the patient is not being given the care necessary to maintain good health and good spirits in these facilities.

Primary Responsibilities of Nursing Home Personnel

Nursing home staff members and administrators are responsible for providing proper care for the residents in their facilities. Proper care requires that staff members at the nursing home must provide reasonable care to ensure that patients live in a safe environment, that they have adequate nutrition, that their medical needs are seen to and that these patients have access to legal, financial and religious resources while living in the nursing home community. Staff at these facilities are also obligated to listen to and to respond to complaints and concerns voiced by patients and to address reasonable complaints promptly and effectively. This includes providing the care needed to prevent bedsores, to ensure adequate nutrition and hydration for residents and to support patients in these facilities emotionally, spiritually and physically.

How Bedsores Form

Bedsores can happen when residents of nursing homes are left in one position for too long or when nursing facility staff members do not exercise care in moving or treating patients in these residential facilities. Friction and shear are among the most common types of injuries received by patients as a result of unsafe practices by nursing home staff members. In other cases, pressure from prolonged sitting or lying down can also cause bruising under the skin, which can be a major factor in the development of bedsores. Bony areas of the body are more likely to be affected. These include the spine, ankles, elbows, hips, shoulder blades and tailbone.

What to Do if You Notice Bedsores

In many cases, contacting a New Jersey nursing home attorney can provide you with the practical help you need to hold nursing home staff members and administrators responsible for their neglect and negligence. Your New Jersey bedsore lawyer will work with you to collect evidence and to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for their failures. This can help you to obtain fair compensation for your loved one and to improve conditions for all the people living in the nursing home.

The Right Legal Help Makes a Difference

At the Di Lauri & Hewitt Law Group, we offer practical legal representation for bedsore cases in New Jersey. Give us a call today at 973-354-5783 to discuss your concerns and to schedule a consultation with our team. We are here to help you and your loved one to achieve fair compensation for injuries sustained in the nursing home environment.