Helping Patients Recover after Inadequate Care in Hospitals

NYC Hospital Negligence Attorneys

When you need to be admitted to the hospital, you are already not in the best physical condition. You should expect that nurses, doctors, and staff members will provide the care you need for your health to improve, and you certainly should not expect the risk of additional injuries. Unfortunately, many people suffer preventable injuries in hospitals in New York City due to the negligence of staff.

The team of experienced attorneys at Sinel & Olesen, PLLC, work to hold hospitals and medical facilities accountable for unnecessary harm to patients. If you or a loved one suffered harm in a hospital, you should contact our law firm right away to discuss your legal options.

Never Events

There are many different ways that patients in hospitals suffer injuries. Many occurrences that cause injuries are commonly referred to as “never events,” since they should never have happened in the first place. Some examples of never events include:

  • Wrong-site surgery
  • Leaving an object in a patient after surgery
  • Administering contaminated drugs
  • Using contaminated devices
  • Patient disappearance, abduction, or sexual assault
  • Serious injuries during labor and delivery in a low-risk pregnancy
  • Toxic exposure
  • Electric shock

These are only some instances of hospital errors that can result in serious injuries or the death of a patient. When a hospital is negligent and unnecessary harm results, the facility should be liable for all of a patient’s losses.

Bedsores in Hospitals

One common preventable injury to hospital patients is bedsores. Bedsores develop when there is excessive pressure on a patient’s body due to being static in bed or a wheelchair. These pressure ulcers can often be prevented by ensuring that a patient’s position gets regularly adjusted, that the clothes and bedding are clean and dry, and that the mattress serves to relieve pressure. Despite these simple and well-known preventative measures, many hospital patients continue to develop bedsores.

Bedsores from hospitals can result in many different losses, including:

  • The costs of treatment for the bedsores
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Lost income if a patient misses work due to extended time in the hospital
  • Wrongful death

The law gives injured patients the right to hold hospitals and other medical facilities liable for their losses, though obtaining compensation can be complicated. Hospitals know they are at risk of liability, and their legal departments and insurance companies know how to fight against claims. It is important to seek assistance from a law firm that regularly works to help patients after hospital negligence in New York City.

Contact a New York City Hospital Negligence Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation

The lawyers of Sinel & Olesen, PLLC, stand up for the rights of hospital patients. Learning that you need additional medical treatment due to hospital negligence can be stressful, and you may face a longer recovery time than expected. When unnecessary harm disrupts your life, look no further than our NYC hospital negligence and bedsore attorneys. Call (844) 512-4098 or contact us online for your free consultation.

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What causes bedsores and pressure sores?

People develop bed sores when they don’t receive adequate medical attention. This results in an open wound and irritated skin patches that are caused by friction or unrelieved/prolonged pressure.

Although a bed sore can develop almost anywhere, the most common areas of the body to develop them are:

  • the backside
  • the buttocks
  • heels
  • ankles
  • hips
  • the head

Diagram showing bedsore causes

Can I sue for bedsores?

Yes. Once a family places a loved one in a nursing home, they should expect that they will not be injured due to neglect or abuse.
Bedsores are one of the most common preventable, avoidable injuries in nursing homes.

Why are some people at risk for bedsores or pressure sores?

Anyone who relies on heathcare staff to reposition them is at greater risk since failure to do this can cause bedsores to develop.

Even for elderly and immobile patients, bedsores are completely preventable if the staff uses proper precautions and ensures that residents receive adequate care.

Frequently Asked Questions

People frequently develop bed sores when they do not receive adequate medical attention. This injury results in open wounds and irritated skin patches that are caused by friction, unrelieved pressure, or when prolonged pressure is placed on the skin. Although a bed sore can develop almost anywhere, the most common areas of the body prone to develop the wounds include the backside and buttocks as well as bony areas such as heels, ankles, hips and head.

Absolutely. Once a family has made the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home, they have a right to expect that their loved one will not be injured as a result of neglect or abuse. In fact, bedsores are one of the most common preventable, avoidable injuries in nursing homes.

Aside from bed sores, the elderly are also at risk for associated complications like:
• Inadequate wound care leading to infections
• Dehydration, malnutrition, and failure to provide sufficient quantities of food
• Over or improper medication
• Lack of supervision due to their immobility from bedsores, leading to falls
• Poor hygiene

Elderly and immobile patients rely on heath care staff at nursing homes and hospitals to reposition them at least every two hours and provide a level of care that meets required standards in New York. Failure to do this often causes bedsores to develop. In almost every case, bed sores are completely preventable if the health care staff implements the proper precautions and ensures that the resident receives adequate care.