Naples Assisted Living Bed Sores Attorney
Many people who live in nursing homes have mobility issues. This means that they may need assistance from staff to perform daily activities such as bathing or getting dressed. They may even be bed-bound and unable to get out of bed.
In these situations, a nursing home resident may be stuck in one position for a long time—maybe half a day or longer. Over time, the skin can develop bed sores. Also known as pressure ulcers, bed sores are injuries to the skin. Some heal completely, while others do not.
Bed sores can sometimes lead to complications. If your loved one has been affected, seek legal help from Kohn Law. Our Naples assisted living bed sores attorney can assist you with your case so you can obtain compensation from the negligent facility.
What Causes Bed Sores?
Bedsores are caused by pressure against the skin, causing a lack of blood flow. A lack of movement is a major cause of bed sores, but there are three contributing factors:
- Constant pressure on any part of your body can cause blood flow to decrease to surrounding tissues. Without this blood flow, your tissues do not get essential oxygen and other essential nutrients. This can cause your skin and nearby tissues to become damaged and even die. Areas that aren’t well-padded are most likely to develop bed sores, such as spine, shoulders, hips, and elbows.
- Friction. When the skin rubs against clothing or bedding, this creates friction. Friction makes fragile skin (especially skin that is moist) more vulnerable to injury.
- Shear is a physics term that refers to two surfaces moving in the opposite direction. For example, a patient may slide down in bed, and as the tailbone moves down, the skin over the bone might stay in place. These forces are acting in opposite directions, causing pressure sores to develop.
Symptoms of Bed Sores
The following are symptoms of bed sores:
- Changes in skin color
- Changes in texture
- Pus draining from the wound
- Tender areas
- Hot or cold areas
Bedsores fall into one of several stages based on their severity. A severe injury may involve muscle and bone.
The location of the pressure sores will vary based on whether the patient spends most of their time in bed or a wheelchair. For those who stay in bed, bedsores tend to happen on the heels, ankles, lower back, shoulders, sides of the head, hips, and behind the knees.
For those who use wheelchairs, bedsores are more likely to occur on the buttocks, tailbone, spine, shoulders, and backs of the arms and legs.
Contact Kohn Law Today
Bed sores are a form of nursing home neglect, which is a serious issue. If your loved one has been affected, make sure you seek legal help.
The team at Kohn Law can assess your case and help you obtain compensation for your loved one’s injuries. Contact one of our Naples assisted living bed sores attorneys today for a free consultation by calling (813) 428-8504 or filling out the online form.
