Bedsores Can Be a Sign of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

 Posted on November 22, 2023 in Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect

A bedsore is a wound that forms when there is excess pressure placed on the skin. Bedsores are a common nursing home injury, affecting more than 2.5 million people in the United States each year. A bedsore is common in residents who have limited mobility and is a common sign of nursing home neglect and abuse.

If a loved one has suffered from bedsores, you need to consult with a Chicago nursing home injury attorney who can further investigate the situation.

What are Bedsores?

Also known as pressure ulcers, bedsores result when blood flow is cut off to a certain area of skin for two to three hours. Bedsores form on skin that is under pressure, such as when a patient is lying in a bed, sitting in a wheelchair, or wearing a cast for a prolonged period.

Bedsores are most common amongst the elderly since older people cannot easily reposition themselves to avoid these sores from forming. Bedsores can also develop in people who have poor nutrition, inadequate skin care, or circulation problems. 

If left untreated, bedsores can grow large and even break open and infect surrounding areas of your body. An untreated bedsore can quickly become life-threatening.

Bedsore Symptoms

Bedsores often happen in the buttocks area, heels of the feet, shoulder blades, back of the head, the back and sides of the legs, and the back and sides of the arms.

Bedsore symptoms may present as (from least to most severe):

• Skin that looks red 
• Skin that feels warm to the touch
• Skin that burns, hurts, or itches
• An open blister
• Significant pain
• Skin that has a crater-like appearance
• Pus-like drainage
• Swelling
• Skin that is severely damaged
• A large wound

Are Bedsores a Sign of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse?

Even though some health conditions, such as diabetes, pose an increased risk for bedsores to develop, it may also be a sign of neglect. If nursing home staff is not routinely checking on residents, then bedsores are more likely to develop.

It is crucial that nursing aides and other staff reposition bedridden residents. It is a nursing home staff’s duty to take proper care of residents, and a failure to prevent pressure ulcers means that the staff is breaching their duty.

Failure to routinely turn a patient may be a sure sign of nursing home neglect since it shows the staff’s failure to properly care for patients. However, pressure ulcers may also signify abuse. If nursing staff is not trained adequately, bedsores can develop from the bedsheets rubbing against the resident’s fragile skin when he or she is being turned.

A Chicago nursing home injury attorney will know what “red flags” to look for in determining if your family member was the victim of nursing home abuse.

Contact a Chicago, IL, Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Today

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, you expect superior care. Unfortunately, many nursing homes are understaffed, resulting in residents not receiving the care they deserve. If you have a family member who developed bedsores, your family member may be entitled to compensation. 

Speak with our Chicago, IL, nursing home law attorneys to find out how we can assist you. Contact Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC today online or by phone to schedule your free consultation.