Bedsores Lawyer in Florida

Bedsores can occur when an individual exerts prolonged pressure on their skin—for example, after being left alone in bed without changing positions. They can also occur when excessive friction, moisture, or traction is applied to the skin. The areas most at risk of developing bedsores are the hips, heels, elbows, tailbone, and back of the head.

Bedsores or pressure ulcers can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found in areas where bone is close to the skin. Areas of concern for pressure ulcers include:

• Heels
• Ankles
• Behind the knees
• On the back or sides of the head
• Hips
• Tailbone
• Low back
• Elbows
• Buttocks

Stages of Bedsores

When blood flow is cut off from the skin, it only takes two to three hours for a bedsore to start to develop. If a pressure ulcer is not treated immediately, the condition quickly worsens. The symptoms of a bedsore are divided into four stages.

Stage One: The affected skin may be red or purple-tinged and warm to the touch. If the patient is able to verbalize, they may complain about a burning, itching, or painful feeling.

Stage Two: The damaged skin may have a blister, a scrape, or an open sore, and skin surrounding or adjacent may be discolored. Significant pain and discomfort may be expressed by the patient. If a patient has lowered or no pain sensitivity, they may be unaware of the pressure sore.

Stage Three: Continued damage has caused the bedsore to take on a crater-like appearance which is indicative of deterioration deepening beneath the skin’s surface.

Stage Four: The pressure ulcer shows extensive damage to the skin tissue and may now involve bones, tendons, joints, and muscles. There is a high likelihood of serious wound infection at this stage.

Because pressure ulcers are a common problem in Florida nursing home care, there are well-established steps for reducing the risk. This includes regularly changing a resident’s position in bed, keeping their skin clean and dry, and checking their skin daily for signs of redness or inflammation. If these steps are not taken, either due to carelessness or negligence on the part of caretakers, bedsores may develop.

Left untreated, bedsores can lead to severe conditions such as sepsis, tissue damage, and chronic pain. In severe cases, bedsores can even lead to death. If your loved one has experienced these or other damages due to bedsores, call to speak with a pressure ulcer attorney in Florida and make sure that negligent caretakers are held responsible for the harm they have caused.

In Florida and other states, nursing homes have a legal, moral, and professional responsibility to provide their residents with a specific standard of care. This standard of care is outlined in Sections 429.28 and 429.85 and covers things like living in a safe and comfortable environment, free from abuse and neglect, and providing access to adequate health care, among many others.

Moreover, a nursing home resident has a right to quality care that prevents painful and dangerous bedsores. This care may include but is not limited to:

• Turning or repositioning a patient every 2 hours
• Help in maintaining an upright position while in a wheelchair and adjusting every 15 minutes
• Soft padding on wheelchairs and beds
• Maintaining clean and dry skin
• Providing good nutrition and hydration

Nursing home staff members are trained on these steps and failure to comply may constitute negligence, and victims may be entitled to compensation if the neglect can be proved through supporting evidence.

A Florida bedsore attorney is standing by. Call or fill out an online contact form to schedule your free consultation.

The role of a Florida pressure ulcer attorney is to help families hold nursing home facilities and staff members accountable for negligent harm to a resident, including injuries like bedsores. This includes collecting evidence that negligence occurred and presenting that evidence to a nursing facility’s insurance provider or in a court of law.

Depending on the specifics of your case, we may be able to provide some or all of the following services:

• Aggregating, organizing, and reviewing medical records and facility staffing reports
• Collecting testimonies from eyewitnesses and/or qualified experts
• Filing a claim of negligence against the nursing home for pressure sores and/or other injuries or illness
• Presenting evidence and responding to any informational requests
• Appealing denied claims 
• Pursuing additional compensation through a civil lawsuit

We have recovered more than $1 Billion in compensation for Florida personal injury victims. Call today for your no-obligation case review.