Baltimore Bedsores Lawyer
Bedsores may seem like just small sores on the skin, but they have the potential to cause severe problems to a person’s health. When an elderly person in a nursing home suffers from bedsores, it is often a sign of nursing home abuse. It is vital that loved ones recognize the signs of bedsores and the different stages so they can get the help their loved one needs. It is just as important that when loved ones suspect nursing home abuse, they speak to a Baltimore bedsores lawyer that can help.
Stages of Bedsores
Bedsores are divided into four different stages. Stage one is the least severe, and stage four bedsores are the most severe. The symptoms at each stage are:
- Stage One: Bedsores at this stage are red and warm to the touch. They may also appear blue or purple in individuals that have darker skin. An elder with stage one bedsores may describe the sore as burning, hurting, or itching.
- Stage Two: Stage two bedsores present much more damage and are sometimes an open sore or blister. These sores cause significant pain and the skin around the wound may appear discolored.
- Stage Three: These sores are much more severe with significant damage below the skin. This gives them a crater-like appearance.
- Stage Four: Bedsores at this stage present as very large wounds and may affect the joints, bones, muscles, and tendons. Elders that suffer from these sores are at great risk of suffering from an infection.
Although some of these stages are more severe than others, it is crucial that any bedsore is treated by a doctor before it becomes any worse.
Causes of Bedsores
There are two main causes of bedsores. The first is excessive pressure placed on the area of skin where the sore develops. For example, when an elder patient in a nursing home is left in bed all day, they may develop bedsores on the back of their neck, or under their arms, as these areas are susceptible to significant pressure.
Excessive friction from two surfaces rubbing together can also cause bedsores. For example, when an elder is confined to a wheelchair and not moved regularly, they may develop bedsores on their lower back, because this is where their skin may rub against their clothing and the back of the chair.
When residents develop bedsores due to either of these causes, it is a sign of nursing home neglect. Nursing home residents must be regularly moved and repositioned to avoid bedsores from developing, and to avoid the complications that come with them.
Complications Caused by Bedsores
Bedsores are dangerous on their own, but they also pose a great risk for complications to develop. These include:
- Cellulitis
- Osteomyelitis
- Gangrene
- Sepsis
- Necrotizing fasciitis
These complications put nursing home residents at an even greater health risk. It is for this reason that any time a patient develops bedsores, their loved ones speak to a Baltimore nursing home abuse lawyer that can help.
Our Baltimore Bedsore Lawyers can Help Your Family
When your loved one is suffering from bedsores, our Baltimore nursing home abuse lawyers at Iamele & Iamele, LLP, are here to help. We will conduct an investigation to determine if your loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect, and when they are, we will hold the nursing home accountable for their negligent actions. When your family needs legal help, call us or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
