Pressure Sores
Northwest Indiana Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys
Also known as bed sores and decubitus ulcers, pressure sores are commonly seen in nursing home patients confined to one location or unable to move on their own. Pressure sores occur when blood pools in one location and the tissue gets damaged by being pressed against a hard surface for extended periods of time. They are often found on body areas where the bone is close to the skin. The attorneys of Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., recognize the dangers of pressure sores and regularly try nursing home negligence cases in Indiana where residents have suffered at the hands of those they trust to care for them. If you suspect a loved one or friend is being abused or neglected in a nursing home, schedule a free initial consultation with a Northwest Indiana nursing home abuse lawyer from our firm to discuss signs of negligence you should look for. We investigate your claim and the steps the nursing home could have taken to prevent pressure sores or treat them before they reached a dangerous stage. Our lawyers work with you to protect your elderly loved one’s health and happiness, and we help you seek financial compensation for their pain and suffering and future medical costs.
For your free consultation, call 219-206-2044.
Types Of Pressure Sores
There are four types of pressure sores, categorized by the degree and depth of the sores:
- Stage 1 pressure sores are surface skin irritations. The skin may differ in temperature from the rest of the body and may be painful or itchy.
- Stage 2 pressure sores may manifest as blisters, abrasions or shallow craters. They affect deeper levels of the outer skin tissue and occur as the skin dies.
- Stage 3 pressure sores are deeper wounds that appear to be open or bleeding. They look very irritated and can be extremely painful.
- Stage 4 pressure sores leave muscles or the bone exposed to open air. They extend through all levels of the skin and are the most dangerous.
If left untreated, pressure sores can become infected, bone and tissue damage may occur, and the sores may become life-threatening. Nursing home professionals can lower the risk of pressure sores by regularly turning residents who are unable to do so without help, making sure their skin is dry and clean, and ensuring they eat a nutritious diet.
We Can Help Your Loved Ones
Have you noticed bedsores? Let us help hold negligent nursing home staff accountable for their actions. Call a Northwest Indiana nursing home abuse lawyer at 219-206-2044 or email us to schedule your initial consultation today. We can help you determine whether negligence or abuse is involved.