Common Questions Surrounding Bedsore Lawsuits
Negligence occurs in nursing home facilities all the time, and sometimes it can lead to serious issues like bedsores in residents. If a loved one has developed a bedsore while in a nursing home, you shouldn’t ignore it. Many times bedsores can become serious quickly, and potentially lead to death. Filing a lawsuit with a reputable bedsore attorney in Nassau County is highly recommended if this happens. You might have some questions about bedsore lawsuits, so we’ve answered many of the common questions we receive.
What Is The Most Common Cause Of Bedsores?
A NY bedsore lawyer in Suffolk County will tell you the most common reason for bedsore development is staying in one place for too long. When nursing home staff fail to help residents move for a long period of time, the pressure on the skin can make it become irritated. Many nursing home residents rely on staff members to help them get up and walk, go to the bathroom, or even simply roll over to a new position in their bed. If they are negligent in doing this, the resident could develop bedsores.
Do Nursing Home Residents Often Develop Bedsores?
Nursing home residents develop bedsores more often than they should. Residents who spend the majority of their time in a wheelchair or in their bed are more prone to getting bedsores, especially if the nursing home staff doesn’t take care of them properly. Any time you notice what looks like the start of a bedsore, you should bring it to the attention of the person who is taking care of your loved one immediately.
Are Bedsores Preventable And Treatable?
Most of the time, bedsores are completely preventable. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why bedsore lawsuits are so common. It’s a sure sign the resident was neglected when they developed a bedsore, so a bedsore attorney will have what they need to file the lawsuit.
As far as the treatment goes, the nursing home staff should immediately relieve the area of pressure and contact with other materials. The area must also be sanitized and covered until it heals. Otherwise, there is a high risk of developing an infection, which could turn into sepsis. A bedsore attorney in Nassau County should be contacted if the nursing home does not take quick action to treat a bedsore.
What Should Be Done When You See A Bedsore On A Loved One?
Many people make the mistake of only reporting the bedsore to nursing home staff members and assuming they will take care of the problem. However, it’s the staff’s neglect that led to the bedsore, so chances are they won’t take the appropriate action to care for the wound. You should still report it to the staff, but you should also reach out to a NY bedsore lawyer in Suffolk County at the same time. Your attorney will help you know what facts and information you should gather so a lawsuit can be timely filed and increase your chances of success.
Does A Loved One Have To Die To File A Lawsuit?
A bedsore attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf even if your loved one survived the bedsore issue. This is not a small issue that only creates a little inconvenience. Bedsores are very painful, so you could receive damages from the suffering and pain your loved one went through while battling the bedsore. Of course, if your loved one dies because of the infection, then it would likely turn into a wrongful death lawsuit.
What Is The Success Rate Of Bedsore Lawsuits?
Like most lawsuits dealing with personal injury or wrongful death, the number of facts you can gather is instrumental in putting together a successful lawsuit. Proving negligence is the number one thing a bedsore attorney has to do with these types of lawsuits. It’s important to observe the behaviors and actions of the nursing home staff at all times and report them to your attorney. When you provide them with all the information you have, your success rate of the lawsuit will increase significantly. Proving negligence is not always easy, which highlights the importance of working with an experienced and reputable bedsore attorney.
Can Any Attorney Help Me File A Bedsore Lawsuit?
While you could work with the first attorney you find to file a bedsore lawsuit, you should take the time to research and interview the best attorneys for your case. Even if your bedsore lawsuit seems like a very easy case, it takes the knowledge of an experienced attorney to prove the nursing home staff was negligent. Without this proof, your case won’t be as successful as you hope. Look for a bedsore attorney who has filed bedsore lawsuits against nursing homes before and knows exactly what type of facts and information are needed to have a successful outcome.
Sinel & Olesen, PLLC has worked with numerous clients on bedsore cases in the past. We know exactly what to look for in nursing homes and have identified common tendencies staff members have to hide their neglect. We will investigate every staff member on the nursing home team to understand their general practices and expose any downfalls they have. All of this information is critical to having a successful bedsore lawsuit. If your loved one has developed a bedsore or if you observe negligent behavior from nursing home staff, take action right away. Be sure to contact us immediately for a free case evaluation so we can get to work for you.