Are Bed Sores a Sign of Nursing Home Abuse?

Entrusting a loved one to a nursing home can be a difficult choice. You may not have made it lightly, but now, you’re worried that your loved one is suffering under the nursing home staff’s care. You may have recently noticed bed sores, and now, you’re worried your loved one isn’t getting the treatment they’re due.

But are bed sores a sign of nursing home abuse? If you’re not sure, especially if you don’t have the evidence for a lawsuit, talk to your lawyer at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP. They can help you determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit against the nursing home.

What Causes Bed Sores?

Bed sores, or pressure sores, are a painful type of ulcer that can develop on the skin. Typically, these sores can develop when someone is lying in one position for a long time. People who need a wheelchair to be mobile, and those who can’t get out of bed without assistance, are more prone to bed sores because they’re unable to easily move from these positions.

Nursing home staff members are in charge of preventing issues like these. They should be moving the nursing home residents regularly, preventing them from staying in one spot and causing these sores to develop. That means in some cases the nursing home staff may have been neglectful and may be responsible for your loved one’s suffering.

Compensation for Bed Sores

Because your loved one has suffered, your family may be due compensation to make up for the suffering they experienced. But what is your family due?

Typically, New York residents who have suffered nursing home abuse may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages, or payment for the financial, mental, and emotional suffering they experienced.

For example, a resident may need medical treatment for the bed sore to heal correctly. That could involve some lengthy treatment, and your family shouldn’t have to pay for those costs. These damages are economic and can be added up for your claim.

But what about non-economic damages? Your loved one may have suffered severe pain because of their condition, but how do you know what compensation they’re due for those damages? That can be difficult to determine, so talk to your nursing home abuse lawyer about calculating these damages correctly.

Talk to Your Lawyer About Compensation for Bed Sores

While accidents happen and abuse or neglect aren’t the only causes of bed sores, you may have found that a loved one’s suffering could have been avoided with more attention and care to their health. Unfortunately, the at-fault party may have caused their injuries and is now avoiding paying for your family’s suffering.

You have a chance to act on this claim and help your loved one recover compensation. At Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, we understand how difficult it can be to overcome suffering like this, and we’re here to provide the guidance and representation you need. When you’re ready, contact us for a free consultation. We can be reached at 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or by completing the online contact form below.