Plant City Assisted Living Bed Sores Attorney
Many assisted-living facility residents have difficulty with movement and certain activities of daily living, meaning that they require assistance getting out of bed, and taking care of personal hygiene. In some cases, these needs are temporary because a resident is recovering from an illness or a medical procedure, but they can also be long-term needs. If you or an elderly loved one developed bed sores in an assisted-living facility in Florida, you may be eligible to seek compensation from the facility. One of our Plant City assisted living bed sores attorneys can help you with your case.
Understanding Bed Sore Stages in Plant City Assisted Living
Bed sores, or pressure ulcers, are staged according to their severity. Stage 1 bed sores are the least serious (although they can still result in significant pain and discomfort), with Stage 2 being the next most serious, followed by Stage 3 and Stage 4 bed sores. Generally, Stage 4 bed sores are the most serious, but in some cases pressure ulcers are classified as “unstageable” (cannot be staged without further inspection and treatment) or “suspected deep tissue injury” (appears like Stage 1 or 2 but is actually more serious). We want to give you more information about each stage and its severity according to WebMD:
- Stage 1: This stage of pressure ulcer only affects the upper layer of a person’s skin, but it nonetheless causes pain, burning, and itching. The skin may be red or warm around the area. With this stage pressure sore, it is important to move at least once every two hours (if you are in bed) or once every 15 minutes (if you are sitting), and to clean the pressure ulcers with soap and water. This stage of bed sore typically will go away within a few days.
- Stage 2: Pressure ulcer is below the surface of the skin, and it leaves an open wound. Sometimes it will look like a pus-filled blister, and it will be painful. Stage 2 bed sores need to be cleaned, which can be painful, and they may require treatment for infection. This stage of bed sore typically will heal within a few days to a few weeks.
- Stage 3: Bed sore is below the second layer of skin and has gone into fat tissue. It usually appears like a crater, it may have a bad odor, and it will have clear signs of infection. This stage of bed sore requires quick medical attention and will take anywhere from one to four months to heal with proper care.
- Stage 4: Pressure ulcer stage that is the most severe. For some people, this stage of bed sores affects the muscles and the ligaments. The pressure ulcer will look extremely infected, and it will be large and deep. In the worst cases, tendons or muscles or bone may be visible. This stage of pressure ulcer is a medical emergency and may take years before healing is complete.
Contact a Plant City Assisted Living Bed Sores Attorney
You should get in touch with an experienced Plant City assisted living negligence lawyer as soon as possible if you or someone you love was diagnosed with bed sores. Contact Kohn Law today for help.
