What Should I Do If My Family Member Develops A Severe Pressure Sore In A Nursing Home?

Discovering that a loved one has developed a severe pressure sore while in a nursing home or medical rehabilitation facility can be both alarming and heartbreaking. Pressure sores, also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, are often a sign of neglect and can lead to devastating complications, including life-threatening infections. If your family member has suffered from a severe pressure sore due to inadequate care, it’s crucial to take action to protect their health and their legal rights.

Understanding Pressure Sores And Why They Develop

Pressure sores occur when prolonged pressure to the skin decreases blood flow, leading to tissue damage and open wounds. They typically form in areas where bones are close to the skin, such as the hips, tailbone, heels, and elbows. Patients who are bedridden, wheelchair-bound, or have limited mobility are particularly vulnerable.

Pressure sores progress through four stages:

1. The skin appears red and may feel warm but remains intact.
2. The sore becomes an open wound, often resembling a blister or shallow ulcer.
3. The ulcer deepens, exposing fat beneath the skin.
4. The wound extends to muscles, tendons, or even bones, significantly increasing the risk of infection.

Severe pressure sores (stages 3 and 4) are a serious medical concern and can indicate neglect, as they are often preventable with proper care.

What Steps Should I Take Now?

Here are the steps you should take if your loved one develops a serious pressure sore while under medical care:

Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If your family member has developed a severe pressure sore, their health should be your top priority. Pressure sores can lead to life-threatening infections such as sepsis, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis (a bone infection). Immediate medical attention and treatment are necessary to prevent further deterioration.

What You Should Do:

• Request that the nursing home or rehab arrange for a doctor to examine the wound.
• If the facility delays or refuses proper care, take your loved one to a hospital or contact their primary physician.
• Ensure the wound is properly assessed, cleaned, and treated by qualified medical professionals.
• Ask about wound care plans, including debridement (removal of dead tissue), specialized dressings, and antibiotics if an infection occurs.

Step 2: Document Everything

Proper documentation is essential if you suspect medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, or abuse. Detailed records will strengthen any potential legal case against the facility.

What to Document:

• Photographs of the wound: Take clear pictures of the sore from different angles, noting any changes over time.
• Medical records and reports: Request copies of your loved one’s medical evaluations, treatment plans, and any other relevant records.
• Staff interactions: Keep a log of conversations with the facility’s staff, including who you spoke to, what they said, and when the conversation took place.
• Living conditions: Note any unsanitary conditions, lack of mobility assistance, or signs of overall neglect.

Step 3: Ask the Nursing Home or Rehab for an Explanation

The medical facility is responsible for preventing pressure sores through proper care, repositioning, hygiene, and nutrition. If your family member has developed a severe bedsore, the facility owes you an explanation.

Questions to Ask the Staff:

• How did this happen?
• When was the sore first noticed?
• What treatment has been provided?
• Has the wound been getting better or worse?
• What steps will be taken to prevent further deterioration?

If the staff is evasive, dismissive, or refuses to provide clear answers, this may be a red flag that neglect or improper care is involved.

Step 4: File a Formal Complaint

If you believe your loved one’s severe pressure sore resulted from neglect or inadequate care, you have the right to file a complaint against the facility.

How to File a Complaint:

• Report to the facility’s administrator: Submit a written complaint to the facility’s administration requesting an immediate investigation.
• Contact the appropriate regulatory agencies: Every state has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or a Department of Health that oversees nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. They can conduct an investigation and hold the facility accountable.
• Notify Adult Protective Services (APS): If neglect or abuse is suspected in a nursing home, APS can intervene to protect vulnerable seniors.

Step 5: Consider Moving Your Loved One

Your family member’s health and safety may be at risk if they remain in the same facility. If it is at all possible, consider transferring them to a different facility or setting up alternative care, such as in-home assistance or an assisted living facility with better standards of care.

Before transferring, consult with their doctor to determine the best course of action.

Step 6: Consult a Medical Malpractice Attorney

Pressure sores, especially severe ones, often indicate medical neglect. Suppose your loved one’s condition was preventable and resulted from poor staffing, lack of proper care, or failure to follow medical protocols. In that case, the nursing home or rehab may be legally liable.

Why You Should Contact a Lawyer:

• To hold the medical facility or nursing home accountable for their negligence.
• To seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and relocation costs.
• To prevent future neglect by pushing for policy changes within the facility.
• A skilled attorney with experience in medical malpractice and nursing home neglect cases can help you learn your legal options and guide you through filing a lawsuit if necessary.

Contact Ross Feller Casey For Help

If your loved one has suffered from a severe pressure sore due to neglect in a nursing home, rehabilitation facility, or other medical setting, you don’t have to fight this battle alone. Ross Feller Casey has a proven track record of holding negligent parties responsible.

Our team of experienced lawyers understands the devastating impact of medical negligence and will fight to get your loved one the justice they deserve. We offer free consultations; you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Don’t let a negligent facility get away with mistreating your loved one. Contact Ross Feller Casey today. Let us help you seek the justice and compensation your family deserves.