Sarasota Bed Sores Attorney
Bed sores in Sarasota develop as a result of negligence. Bed sores can affect residents and patients in many different types of facilities in Southwest Florida, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. Anytime a person has mobility issues due to an injury or an illness, it is critical to move regularly with assistance from an employee at one of these facilities to prevent bed sores from forming. When facilities are understaffed and engage in unintentional acts of neglect, or employees at facilities intentionally neglect a patient who needs assistance turning in a bed or chair, bed sores can develop. If you have an elderly loved one who developed bed sores at any type of facility in Southwest Florida, you should contact a Sarasota bed sores attorney today to get help with your case.
Learning About Sarasota Bed Sores
What are bed sores? As the Mayo Clinic explains, they are a kind of injury that can also be known as a pressure ulcer or a decubitus ulcer. Pressure ulcers tend to occur more frequently on certain parts of the body than others, depending upon whether a person is confined to a chair or to a bed. When a person spends a significant amount of time in a chair or wheelchair, bed sores are most common on the tailbone, buttocks, spine, shoulder blade, and the backs of the arms or legs. When a person is confined to their bed, bed sores are more likely to appear on the hips, lower back, tailbone, heels, ankles, behind the knees, shoulder blades, and even the back or side of the head.
Types of Bed Sores in Sarasota
Bed sores are classified according to how severe they are. The least severe type of bed sores, which are “stage 1” bed sores, can usually be treated effectively and will heal relatively quickly with appropriate care. As bedsores worsen and patients fail to receive proper treatment, infections can occur and the injuries can become life-threatening. Stage 4 bedsores are the most serious type of bed sores and should be considered an emergency. The following are the four stages of bed sores that can occur in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals:
- Stage 1 bed sores, which cause pain and burning and itching but can be readily treated and usually will heal;
- Stage 2 bed sores, which result in pus-filled blisters, are increasingly painful, and may require medical attention or medication to heal;
- Stage 3 bedsores, which develop in a person’s fat tissue and require medication and possibly hospitalization; and
- Stage 4 bedsores, which affect the muscles, tendons, and ligaments below the skin, may result in exposed bone, and are a medical emergency.
Contact Kohn Law Today
At Kohn Law, we know how devastating bed sores can be to seniors. We routinely assist clients who want to file bedsore claims against nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals in Southwest Florida. Contact our experienced Sarasota bed sores attorney today for assistance with your claim.