Bedsore Lawyer in Southern California
Do you have a loved one in hospice or nursing home care? Unfortunately, this can predispose an elderly resident to develop nursing home bedsores. Bedsores prove that your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect; they’re disappointingly common among nursing home residents and are costly to manage and treat.
If you suspect that your loved one is suffering from neglect as evidenced by bedsores, call us here at Peck Law Corp. We are the trusted bedsore attorneys in Southern California. We have represented our clients in their bedsore claims, winning settlements year after year.
Our combined experience in representing clients has made us one of the most recognizable names in elderly care law in Southern California.
Let us protect your loved one’s rights — call us now for your free case evaluation.
How A Bedsore Attorney Can Help
If your loved one has developed bedsores, you must call a bedsore attorney immediately. Our lawyers can represent you in your bedsore claim and help you win compensation for your loved one in the following ways:
We Can Establish Negligence
You must prove nursing home negligence to have a viable cause for filing a bedsore claim. Nursing home negligence is a failure on the part of the hospice or nursing home to perform their duties based on the minimum standards of care.
The presence of bedsores can indicate the nursing home’s failure to render appropriate care. With evidence, we can prove that the care facility was negligent in its duties.
We Can Prove Causation
The presence of negligence is the starting point for a bedsore claim. However, it does not guarantee a compelling case. You must also establish the connection between the nursing home’s negligence and the development of your loved one’s bedsores.
Proving the connection between nursing home negligence and your loved one’s bedsores is tricky in California, but don’t worry; we can help you build a compelling case. With our expertise, we can prove that the nursing care home is to blame for your loved one’s bedsores.
We Fight for a Fair Settlement for You
Nursing care homes will try to settle your claim quickly in an attempt to dissuade you from insisting upon full and complete compensation. No matter how generous a settlement offer appears, do not take it. It will likely be much less than what your loved one deserves.
We can deal with the nursing home on your behalf and fight for a fair settlement. With our bedsore lawyer in your corner, you can receive compensation for not just your loved one’s bedsores, but the pain and suffering caused by the nursing home’s negligence, as well.
We Represent You Both In and Out of the Courtroom
Granted, not many bedsore claims escalate to a trial. Nevertheless, you must prepare yourself for the possibility.
Maximize your chances of winning by enlisting our counsel and representation. Aggressively and with your interests in mind, we can represent you in and out of the courtroom.
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores go by many different names, such as pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers.
Bedsores are ulcerations on the skin that often appear at the bony prominences. Pressure ulcers are particularly common along joints like the hips, elbows, and lower back.
Bedsores develop in varying degrees of skin and tissue damage.
Stage I Bedsores
Stage one bedsores manifest as reddish skin blemishes along the bony prominences that may or may not appear ulcerated.
Stage II Bedsores
Stage two bedsores are deeper, by comparison. At this stage, the skin along the bony prominences becomes thinner, manifesting as craters in some cases. Stage two bedsores indicate that a bedsore is progressing and that an elderly resident has been in the same position for too long.
Stage III Bedsores
Stage three bedsores are similar to second-degree bedsores, except that the crater on the skin becomes deeper. Left untreated or unaddressed, stage bedsores quickly progress to stage four bedsores.
Stage IV Bedsores
Stage four bedsores are ulcerations on the skin that reveal part of the muscle. At their worst, these bedsores also expose some areas of the bone or joint.
Unstageable Bedsores
Unstageable bedsores are typically stage three or four bedsores. These bedsores are difficult to stage due to the scar formations that have developed beneath the ulcerations. After the removal of eschar tissue, physicians will be able to stage bedsores more accurately.
Why Do Bedsores Develop?
Not all elderly residents develop bedsores. The ones most susceptible are those who are bedridden or stay in bed for long periods of time. Bedsores can also develop in elderly residents who remain in wheelchairs for long hours.
For the most part, we can trace the formation of pressure ulcers to three causes.
Here are the three most common reasons elderly residents develop decubitus ulcers or bedsores:
1. Pressure on the Skin
Prolonged pressure on the surface of the skin is the most common reason that residents acquire bedsores. The risks are even greater on bony prominences since the bones push the skin into the bed or wheelchair.
2. Excessive Friction
Friction is a risk factor for the development of bedsores, especially since elderly residents have thinner skin. Friction can occur in many situations. Often, this happens during sheet changes. An elderly resident can also fall prey to excessive friction from careless assistance to and from the bed or wheelchair.
3. Moisture
Moisture can also contribute to skin breakdown. Most of the time, moisture comes from bodily fluids like uncleaned urine and feces. It may also come from spilled beverages that nursing home staff neglected to clean
Has Your Loved One Been Neglected? Reach out to a Bedsore Lawyer Today
Bedsores are a clear indicator of sub-standard care and neglect. If you discover bedsores on your loved one, contact us today for a free case evaluation so we can help you keep the negligent care facility in check.
FAQs
Here are the most common questions about bedsore claims.
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Yes. Remember that three things can cause bedsores: pressure, friction, and moisture. All of these causes are indicators of neglect.
Thus, the presence of bedsores proves that a nursing care home has neglected a resident.
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Pressure ulcers develop because of nursing home neglect, which is considered a form of malpractice in California. Because of this, pressure ulcers can entitle you or the victim to file a malpractice case against the care facility.