According to the U.S. News & World Report, about 2.5 million cases of bedsores happen each year in the U.S., resulting in as many as 60,000 deaths.
Bed sores are known as pressure ulcers. These are serious injuries that can develop when patients are confined to a bed or wheelchair for extended periods without proper care. These incidents happen with the negligence of the staff members in nursing homes, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Sadly, it creates an environment that endangers vulnerable patients.
But can bed sores cause sepsis? And if so, what legal actions can family members do to make sure the responsible parties are held accountable?
Let’s find out how to fight for your rights when it comes to this type of medical malpractice.
Understanding Bed Sores and Related Lawsuits
It’s important to have enough basic knowledge about bedsores and their legal regulations when someone suffers injuries or receives inadequate care at a medical facility. You have two options. This includes hiring a competent personal injury lawyer or representing yourself to defend your legal rights through courtroom proceedings or healthcare challenges.
The development of bedsores or pressure ulcers occurs when body weight creates pressure on bones, which results in oxygen deprivation that causes delayed nursing care to develop visible ulcers.
Gathering evidence becomes essential whenever evidence of neglect exists. The party involved must maintain all records, which include photos of the sores and statements from eyewitnesses. Neglect may occur through either inadequate treatment or the inability to protect patients from developing these wounds.
How Bed Sores Can Lead to Sepsis
The development of these wounds creates an open entry point for dangerous bacteria, which can lead to the occurrence of sepsis.
It is important to be on the lookout for infections in bedsores, where the presentation of the following symptoms occurs: a consistent increase of redness and heat, as well as evidence of draining infection from the wound.
When bacteria get into your body via infected skin lesions, the organism’s reaction is a serious infection called sepsis. There will be fever, fast heartbeats, and confusion.
These types of infections should be treated immediately, or the health of the patient will produce complications. Untreated infection for an extended period will affect multiple organs, starting with renal failure. And if it continues, it will progress to total organ failure.
This condition can be life-threatening. But it can be prevented through proper wound care and urgent medical treatment.
Key Legal Considerations for Bed Sores and Sepsis Claims
Knowing the law implications involved in this case is hugely important if you or your family member has suffered bedsores resulting in sepsis.
Understanding the implications of hospital settings has significant room for error: the norms and absence of negligence liability are relevant during lawsuits. Everyone needs to realize how liable the care provider is should their nursing home or hospital personnel fail to meet the standard of care.
Limitation statutes vary, so you must act quickly to avoid triggering a proper limitation period far in advance of your expectations. Very often will your claims require very technical medical language and intricacies well beyond the understanding of most of us; as a result, you may assist your case only by consulting an attorney well-furnished to dissect these implications.
According to Atlanta nursing home abuse lawyer Andrew Lampros, you need legal counsel you trust to not only file your case correctly but also to maximize the compensation you receive if you succeed with the case.
What Evidence Do You Need for a Bed Sores Lawsuit?
To establish particular negligence and damage, you need supporting evidence that points to malpractice.
Any medical reports contained in your own, or the individual’s, records should be included, describing the lesions of the bedsores, the official diagnosis, treatments received, notes from healthcare providers, etc.
Photographs of these sores, taken from time to time, can be extremely valuable for the injuries caused by bedsores.
Testimonial statements provided by family members or other residents exposed to the same care can help solidify your case.
Provide all facility policies and procedures that the care facility failed to implement because these violations demonstrate that the facility provided substandard care. It is advantageous to swear in expert witnesses to demonstrate the care the person would have been expected to receive under the standard of care in such circumstances.
This collected evidence on behalf of your case would be very valuable.
What Are Common Defenses Nursing Homes Use in Lawsuits?
When a nursing home is looking to present many defenses in bed-sore lawsuits, it starts by mitigating its liability.
Pre-existing conditions could be, but are not limited to, a certain defense if the nursing home says the condition was outside of their purview or control. Additionally, their adherence to high standards of care and established protocols reduces their liability.
The patient’s advanced age or an underlying health issue could also explain the development of bedsores, despite due efforts.
They might further argue that relatives were most involved in care decisions and knowledge of risks.
This makes your case harder and forces the caseworker to get their act together.
Steps to Take if You Suspect Negligence in Care
The process starts with you documenting all available information. You should maintain a written record that contains both your loved one’s medical treatment and all interactions with facility personnel. The process requires you to record all injuries, including bedsores, without delay. Then speak up. Speak to management about your concerns, as this approach may lead to a quick resolution of some issues.
You should report the ongoing issue to the designated state authority overseeing nursing home operations in your area. Also, consult an attorney who specializes in elder law or medical malpractice. They are experts who can guide you through the process if the issue reaches the court.
By standing up for your rights, you are protecting future potential victims of negligence while fighting for your loved one.
Don’t underestimate bedsores. This condition can get worse and blow out of proportion if left untreated.
If it leads to sepsis due to neglect, there are legal actions you can do to protect your loved ones. Do not hesitate to look for the support that will enable you to work your claims.
