Helping Patients Recover after Inadequate Care in Hospitals
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.
Medical Malpractice Claims from Bedsores
Research indicates that about 2.5 million people in the United States develop bedsores each year. Bedsores are also known as pressure ulcers, and they form when someone’s position in a bed or wheelchair is not regularly adjusted. When someone develops bedsores, they then require additional treatment to resolve the problem and prevent complications. Researchers estimate that bedsore treatment costs billions of dollars annually.
Some of the common causes of bedsores include the following:
- Staff members fail to turn a patient over or move them every two hours
- Facilities do not have pressure-relieving mattresses
- No cushioning was provided to relieve pressure
- Patients do not have their bedding or clothing changed or kept dry
- Patients are not properly nourished and hydrated
- Staff members fail to properly inspect patients for redness or other signs of forming ulcers
- Staff members do not provide treatment for existing bedsores
Bedsores are preventable, yet they continue to occur in hospitals and nursing homes on a regular basis, increasing the medical bills of patients and causing them unnecessary pain. In some cases, bedsores can become infected and can even be fatal if not treated. Bedsores should not happen, and when they do, patients can hold negligent medical providers and facilities liable for medical malpractice.
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
TESTIMONIAL
QUESTIONS/ANSWERSFrequently Asked Questions
Bedsores occur when individuals don't receive proper care, leading to open wounds and skin irritation caused by friction or pressure on the skin. Common areas for bedsores include the backside, buttocks, and bony areas like heels, ankles, hips, and the head.
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