Protecting Your Loved Ones From Bedsores and Neglect
If your loved one has experienced bedsores as a result of a neglectful nursing home or care facility, Ring The Bell and call us today at 505-898-2355
Picture this: you’re visiting an elderly relative who has been residing in a nursing home in Albuquerque for several months due to their limited mobility and advanced age. You arrive intending to spend quality time with your loved one and ensure they’re being cared for.
As you help your relative get comfortable in their wheelchair, you notice some unusual redness and skin discoloration on their lower back. Concerned, you gently touch the area and notice it feels warmer than the surrounding skin. Alarmed, you carefully inspect the skin and find a small open sore.
Worried about your family member’s condition, you immediately bring this to the attention of the nursing home staff, expressing your concerns about the possibility of bedsores. You request a thorough assessment and appropriate medical care for your loved one. They ignore you, and your relative’s condition worsens.
What do you do?
If you’re concerned about the well-being of an older adult residing in an Albuquerque nursing home or assisted living facility, you’re not alone. Albuquerque nursing home residents, particularly elderly patients, may be at risk of developing bedsores. These life-threatening wounds can result from nursing home neglect, and if left untreated, they can lead to serious complications, including sepsis and wrongful death.
Your Legal Rights in Albuquerque: Filing a Bedsore Lawsuit with Ron Bell Injury Lawyers
If your loved one has suffered from pressure ulcers due to nursing home neglect or abuse in Albuquerque, you may have the legal right to seek compensation through a bedsore lawsuit against the nursing home. Don’t try to fight their insurance companies alone, and don’t settle for what they offer. An experienced Albuquerque nursing home abuse attorney at our firm can help you navigate the legal process. We fight for justice on behalf of your family, seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and wrongful death, if applicable.
What does a bedsore lawyer do?
Our Albuquerque law firm understands the pain and suffering that long-term care residents and their families endure when bedsores develop. The nursing home abuse attorneys at Ron Bell Injury Lawyers are well-versed in the relevant New Mexico laws and regulations governing nursing home care. We can investigate and build a strong case against the facility responsible. Here are a few specific ways we can help.
- Gather medical records, photographs, and other evidence
- Interview witnesses
- Consult medical experts
- Assess the extent of the harm caused to their clients
- Negotiate with the nursing home and its insurance companies for fair compensation
- Take the case to court if necessary
- Ensure you receive justice and appropriate financial recovery for medical bills and pain and suffering
Ron Bell Injury Lawyers are dedicated to ensuring that your family member receives the care they deserve. Our experienced bedsore lawyers have a proven track record in representing families in bedsore cases. We work tirelessly to hold nursing home staff, caregivers, and healthcare facilities accountable for their actions and negligence.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Recover Compensation on Your Behalf
Our law firm handles all personal injury cases, including nursing home abuse cases, on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney’s fees until we get your loved one the compensation they deserve. Call us today at 505-898-2355 to get started with a FREE case review.
Understanding Bedsores and Their Risk Factors
Bedsores are open wounds that develop when prolonged pressure on specific parts of the body restricts blood flow, causing tissue damage. They’re also known as pressure sores, pressure wounds, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers. They can develop on someone who lies in a bed for extended periods without repositioning. Typical areas of the body where bedsores can occur include:
- Tailbone
- Heels of the feet
- Elbows
- Shoulder blades
- Hips
- Back of the head
- Knees
Risk Factors for Bedsores
Risk factors for bedsores include the following.
Immobility: Immobility increases the risk of bedsores by reducing blood flow and putting prolonged pressure on specific areas of the body.
Incontinence: Incontinence elevates the risk of bedsores due to prolonged skin exposure to moisture and irritants, making it more susceptible to damage.
Poor nutrition: Poor nutrition increases the risk of bedsores by impairing the body’s ability to repair and maintain healthy skin tissue.
Medical conditions: Medical conditions like peripheral vascular disease pose a risk for bedsores. They can lead to reduced blood circulation, limiting the delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen to tissues—thereby hindering their ability to withstand pressure and heal.
The Signs and Stages of Bedsores
Bedsores are not static injuries; they progress through various stages, each with its own set of challenges and complications. Understanding these stages and how affected areas may appear is crucial in addressing the severity and potential consequences of bedsores.
Stage 1: Minor Blisters
In the initial stage, bedsores often present as reddened or discolored skin. This is an early warning sign that pressure is affecting blood flow to the affected area. At this stage, the skin may feel warmer or cooler than the surrounding areas, and it may be painful or itchy.
Stage 2: Shallow Ulcer
As the pressure continues, the skin may break open, forming a shallow ulcer or blister. This wound can be painful, and it may ooze fluid. Proper wound care and repositioning are crucial at this stage to prevent the sore from worsening.
Stage 3: Deep Ulcer
Without timely intervention, bedsores can progress to deeper ulcers. At this stage, the affected area may involve damage to not only the skin but also the underlying tissue. The wound may appear as a crater, and there can be significant pain and tissue loss.
Stage 4: Open Wound
The most severe stage of bedsores is when the wound becomes an open sore that extends through the skin and underlying tissue, potentially exposing muscles, tendons, or even bone. These wounds are highly susceptible to infection, and the affected area can have a foul odor.
The Connection to Sepsis
In the later stages of bedsores, when the affected area becomes an open wound, the risk of infection significantly increases. Infections can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to infection can cause widespread inflammation, organ failure, and potentially death. Sepsis is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Nursing Home Neglect and the Standard of Care in New Mexico
Hospitalized patients and long-term care residents are particularly vulnerable to bedsores due to their often-extended periods of immobility or limited mobility. The affected area can vary depending on a person’s position, how often they move, and the quality of care they receive.
In New Mexico, nursing home staff and caregivers have a legal obligation to provide proper care for residents, including repositioning them regularly, ensuring hygiene, and closely monitoring their health. When they fail to meet this standard of care, bedsores can occur, making them liable for nursing home abuse or medical malpractice. According to 7.6.2 NMAC, requirements for New Mexico’s Standard of Care for Long Term Care Facilities include:
- 24-hour care to maintain or improve residents’ physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
- At least 2.3 hours of direct care per resident for intermediate care and at least 2.5 hours for skilled nursing.
- Physicians or other licensed health professionals must develop care plans for residents and review them every 30 to 60 days.
Testimonials from Satisfied Clients
Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Albuquerque have successfully represented numerous families in personal injury cases, and our testimonials speak to our dedication and commitment to our clients’ well-being.
“My dad was treated badly in a nursing home. We called Ron Bell, and they sent a representative to get us started. The services are great, and they really explained everything clearly. Everybody we have spoken with has been really helpful. I would recommend Ron Bell Injury Lawyers.”
Johnny R. – Albuquerque, NM
“My aunt was in a skilled nursing facility. She was neglected and had a couple of unexplained falls. Ron Bell’s law firm was called. They sent out a representative to start paperwork and get things started. They were very friendly and explained everything to us. I am very satisfied with services we have received.”
Crestina B. – Albuquerque, NM
“My mother was in a nursing home, they did not take good care of her. She was assaulted, and finally I had to take her out of that facility. She was traumatized. I called Ron Bell. I am very satisfied with the help the firm has provided me to get justice for my mom.”
Michelle R. – Albuquerque, NM
Free Consultation and Nursing Home Bedsore Case Evaluation
In the battle against nursing home neglect and abuse, trust Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, Albuquerque’s experienced bedsore and nursing home abuse attorneys, to protect your family’s legal rights and seek justice for your loved one. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and let us help you hold negligent nursing home staff and healthcare providers accountable for their actions. Your loved one’s health and safety matter, and we are here to fight for them.
If you suspect nursing home abuse or negligence has led to your loved one’s bedsores, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free case evaluation. Our team will listen to your concerns and provide guidance on your potential bedsore lawsuit.
Ring The Bell and call us today at 505-898-2355
