Los Angeles Bedsores Attorneys: Our Pressure Ulcer Attorneys Offer Justice

Nursing homes can be havens of care for our most vulnerable loved ones, but profit can sometimes overshadow patient well-being. Residents pay the price, suffering neglect and excruciating injuries like bedsores.

The bedsore lawyers at Greenslade Cronk, LLP, can help you hold those responsible accountable for their negligence. We offer tenacity, dedication and free consultations for victims in Los Angeles and all of California. You need not pay a dime if your bedsores attorney in Riverside does not win your case.

What Are Bedsores? Are They Severe Wounds?

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are painful wounds caused by constant pressure against the skin, especially in bony areas. They can arise in bedridden individuals and those who spend extended periods in a chair.

Early symptoms may seem minor, but severe tissue damage and infection can set in if they worsen. Because of the potential for these complications, preventing bedsores (and treating them early) is crucial.

Pressure Ulcers Have Different Stages

Bedsores typically undergo several stages, each with distinct characteristics. Knowing about these stages empowers you to recognize the warning signs and ensure proper care for your loved one (or yourself).

• Stage 1: Red, discolored skin that doesn’t turn white when pressed and may feel different in temperature or texture
• Stage 2: Shallow open sore, possibly dry or shiny, with no visible dead tissue
• Stage 3: Deeper wounds that expose fat and new tissue, sometimes with dead tissue, while bones, muscles and tendons are not yet visible
• Stage 4: Severe wounds that expose underlying bones, muscles or tendons
• Unstageable: When dead tissue or slough obscures the damage and tissue removal is required to determine severity (usually Stage 3 or 4)

Deep Tissue Pressure Injuries (DTPI) are another risk. They appear as discolored skin without an open wound. Unchecked, they can rapidly worsen, making early detection of any pressure injury vital.

Preventing Further Damage: Treatment Options For Bedsores

Early intervention can stop bedsores from worsening, promote healing and minimize discomfort. Here are some pressure sore treatment approaches that promote healthy recovery.

• Stringent wound care: Proper bandaging and debridement (dead tissue removal) to create a clean environment and antibiotics to fight infection.
• Moisture control: Careful incontinence management to prevent moisture and further irritation or damage.
• Advanced therapies: Vacuum-assisted therapies and other treatments are sometimes used for complex pressure ulcer wounds.

Unfortunately, bedsores that are very large, deep or severe sometimes require surgical treatment.

Did You Know? Pressure Ulcers Are Highly Preventable.

Many methods used to treat bedsores can prevent their development. For instance, good hygiene and incontinence management play a role in treating and preventing pressure wounds.

However, an insufficient focus on prevention could start a worrisome cycle of pressure ulcer problems. Nursing homes have a duty to make every reasonable effort to keep patients in optimal health and free of preventable harm. Specific measures include:

• Frequent repositioning: Regular patient turning (every two hours for high-risk) to relieve pressure on bony areas
• Pressure relief surfaces: Specialized mattresses and cushions to distribute weight more evenly
• Meticulous skin care: Regular inspections for symptoms (redness, irritation) and cleanliness prevent minor issues from becoming bedsores

Are Bedsores Always A Result Of Nursing Home Neglect?

Although bedsores are largely preventable with proper care, their development does not always signify neglect. Certain medical conditions or age-related factors can increase susceptibility.

Still, their presence should raise a red flag. As mentioned, facilities have a solemn duty to prevent harm and minimize the risk of wounds and injuries. If pressure sores develop, it could indicate a potential breakdown in that duty and, more urgently, lead to dangerous complications and even death.

At Greenslade Cronk, LLP, you get a free, professional case review from a bedsores attorney in Riverside and Los Angeles that victims can trust. It can help you determine if you have grounds for a nursing home neglect or abuse claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bedsores

Bedsores can cause serious pain to loved ones who reside in nursing homes. Our attorneys want to help educate you on your legal rights if you believe your loved one is not getting the care they deserve from nursing home staff. Here are some frequently asked questions about bedsores and nursing home neglect:

How do nursing homes prevent bedsores?

Bedsores are injuries that gradually build up by prolonged pressure on the skin where there is little muscle or fat, such as at the hips, heels and shoulder blades. There are several management techniques nursing homes can practice to help prevent patients from developing bedsores. Nursing homes can prevent bedsores by regularly repositioning patients in their beds, wheelchairs or seats – something that often fails to happen when they are understaffed.

What is the best management for preventing bedsores?

One strategy to manage the prevention of bedsores is by keeping patients moving. Movement can help increase circulation, which can reduce bedsores. Older residents who struggle to move may need to be repositioned in their wheelchairs or beds to relieve pressure from sensitive parts of their bodies.

Another strategy to prevent bedsores is by providing adequate cushioning for residents. Cushions and blankets can reduce friction and pressure on a patient’s body. Diet and skin care routines, too, have a role in bedsore prevention. Patients who have an adequate diet and skin care also have a lower risk of bedsores.

What are three positioning interventions to prevent pressure ulcers?

For many patients, bedsores can be prevented with positioning interventions. Positioning interventions can include the following:

1. Regular repositioning every few hours
2. Use of padding, such as pillows and wedges
3. 30-degree tilted, side-lying positioning

With these techniques, nursing home staff can help reduce bedsores on residents.

How can nursing management prevent bedsores in bedridden patients?

Management needs to set the tone for the staff so that bedsore prevention is prioritized. Staff should be trained to recognize the early signs of pressure ulcers and implement prevention or healing protocols. Management should also develop personalized prevention plans for each patient and regularly review those plans for their effectiveness, making adjustments where needed.

Accountability For Your Loved One

If you believe someone you love’s bedsores arose from neglect, call us at 866-605-6149 or fill out our online contact form. We serve all of California, including Los Angeles and Riverside, and offer free consultations, but we only get paid if you win. Trust our pressure ulcer attorneys to fight relentlessly for the compensation you or your family member deserves.