Can You Sue a Nursing Home for Bedsores?

Moving an elderly loved one into a nursing home can be a difficult transition for the entire family. It’s not easy to trust someone else to care for a family member. If you’ve recently found out that the nursing home betrayed your trust and neglected your loved one, and this has resulted in the development of bedsores, it may be possible to collect monetary damages from the facility.

Bedsores, or “pressure ulcers,” are one of the most telling signs of nursing home neglect. They are caused by prolonged pressure or friction on the skin, and are especially common among residents who have limited mobility. They tend to develop on the skin that covers bony protrusions such as the heels, hips, ankles, and shoulder blades.

Nursing homes have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent the development of bedsores and other preventable medical conditions. If your family member was diagnosed with bedsores, an attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to determine if negligence played a role, in which case your family may have grounds for a claim against the facility.

How Can Nursing Home Staff Prevent Bedsores?

Doctors, nurses, and CNAs can prevent bedsores from developing by moving mobility-impaired residents regularly so no single patch of skin is under prolonged pressure. Nursing home residents who use wheelchairs should also be provided with adequate padding to prevent irritation.

How Can I Prove the Nursing Home Is Liable for My Loved One’s Bedsores?

You may be convinced that your loved one did not receive adequate attention at the senior care facility, but you will need strong evidence of negligence in order to win your family’s claim. The specific kinds of evidence will depend on the circumstances but may include:

• Documents detailing the facility’s hiring and training practices;
• Records demonstrating the facility is consistently understaffed;
• Deposition from other residents who were also victims of neglect, as well as their family members;
• The victim’s medical records; and
• Security footage and/or keycard data demonstrating that the victim did not receive adequate attention.

What Kinds of Damages Can My Family Seek by Suing a Nursing Home for Bedsores?

Untreated bedsores can cause a host of complications, some of which are life-threatening. As such, the resulting damages can be exorbitant. Fortunately, victims and their families may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages including:

• Past medical expenses;
• Anticipated healthcare bills;
• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Loss of enjoyment in life; and
• Other objectively verifiable costs related to the bedsores or their corresponding complications.

Discuss Your Case with a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Florida

If you want to sue a Florida nursing home for providing substandard care to an elderly loved one, turn to Emerson Straw. We have recovered more than $27 million on behalf of clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Call (727) 821-1500 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free consultation with a nursing home neglect lawyer in Florida.