When our loved ones are in a nursing home, we place our trust—and our loved ones’ safety and health—in the abilities of the facility. But sometimes, nursing homes can be neglectful of their patients, leading to health complications. For instance, bedsores can often be a sign that a nursing home is neglecting its residents.

Families of patients affected by neglect or abuse in one of these facilities may choose to sue a nursing home over these issues—not only for financial compensation, but also to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and inactions.

Why do bedsores happen?

Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, are injuries to not just the skin but also the tissue underneath. They occur because of pressure to the skin over an extended period of time. The name “bedsores” comes from the fact that these injuries often occur when a person remains in a bed or chair for most of the time, without changing their position.

Common locations for bed sores are the boniest parts of the body, like the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone, but they can occur anywhere.

Symptoms that may indicate the development of bedsores include unusual skin color or texture changes, swelling, pus-like draining, an area of skin that is cooler or warmer to the touch than the skin around it, or tender areas.

Bedsores may in some cases not be very deep, but in other cases may even involve the muscle and bone. Usually, bedsores heal with treatment, but in some cases may never heal completely.

Sometimes, people with medical conditions are unable to change their positions often enough to avoid getting bedsores themselves, so the responsibility for this kind of care and upkeep falls to nurses or nursing home staff. Unfortunately, there are a growing number of reports of nursing home neglect.

Indeed, the CDC’s National Nursing Home Survey in 2004 found that about 11 percent of nursing home patients in the U.S. had pressure ulcers.

Can you sue a nursing home for neglect?

There are federal laws in place meant to protect patients from abuse and neglect in nursing homes and hospitals. In long-term care facilities, patients may suffer from a number of avenues of neglect, including bedsores, illnesses, infections, amputations, dehydration.

Of these complications, bedsores may seem relatively inconsequential, but unfortunately, bedsores can actually lead to further infections and illnesses, which can be quite dangerous for elderly patients.

In the worst cases, a nursing home patient may actually die from their injuries. In these instances, family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit over the death of their loved one.

If you or someone you love suffered from bedsores or other issues due to nursing home neglect, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the nursing home. Filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by these problems, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially after an injury, so Top Class Actions has helped get the process rolling by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.