Pressure sores, also known as bedsores, can cause severe pain and infection, significantly impacting quality of life for victims and potentially leading to further injuries and complications. While not all are avoidable, many that develop or worsen at medical facilities such as Adventist Health Systems facilities result from inadequate care and neglect. If you have suffered from pressure sores as a result of negligence or malpractice, you may be eligible for compensation, and an experienced hospital negligence lawyer may be able to help you.
Understanding Pressure Sores And Their Causes
Pressure sores are injuries to tissues from prolonged pressure, often seen in immobile patients. If patients do not receive proper care, pressure sores can form and can worsen into more serious injuries over time, as well as become infected. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to uphold the expected duty of care for all patients, and failure to do so may be considered negligence or malpractice. In order to prevent pressure sores, healthcare professionals are expected to:
- Regularly Assess Risk for pressure sores.
- Frequently Reposition Patients according to a schedule.
- Provide Proper Skin Care, keeping skin clean, dry, and moisturized.
- Ensure Adequate Nutrition and Hydration for patients throughout the duration of care.
- Use Pressure-Relieving Devices like special mattresses and cushions.
Negligence by Adventist Health Systems can occur if staff fail to implement these measures or treat developing sores appropriately. An experienced attorney can help you determine if you have a negligence case after developing pressure sores.
Consequences Of Pressure Sore Neglect At Adventist Health Systems.
Attorneys such as our friends at Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. know that untreated or poorly managed pressure sores at an Adventist Health Systems facility can lead to severe pain, serious infections (cellulitis, osteomyelitis, sepsis), need for surgery, prolonged hospital stays, and, in extremely severe cases, even death. These consequences also carry an increased financial burden, making it important for victims to receive the compensation that they deserve.
Investigating Pressure Sore Claims Against Adventist Health Systems
If you suspect neglect led to pressure sores, it is important to discuss your case with an attorney. Proving negligence in pressure sore cases can be difficult, but an experienced attorney knows how to establish the expected standard of care and display how healthcare providers acted negligently in their care. An attorney will:
- Thoroughly Review Medical Records and Care Plans from Adventist Health Systems.
- Consult with Wound Care Specialists and Nursing Specialists to establish the standard of care and how Adventist Health Systems failed to meet it.
- Demonstrate That Neglect Caused or Worsened the Pressure Sores.
- Seek Fair Compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact An Attorney Today
Do not let preventable suffering from pressure sores at an Adventist Health Systems facility go unaddressed. Contact an attorney today to discuss your situation and determine if you have a valid case of negligence or malpractice. These cases are time-sensitive, and it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible in order to receive the representation that you deserve.