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Call a Lawyer: Bedsores Are Often a Sign of Nursing Home Neglect

A woman lies neglected in a Georgia nursing home bed

Pressure ulcers can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Georgia and throughout the U.S. have a legal obligation to provide patients with proper care and adequate attention.

But too often, they fail to give even the most basic, humane level of service. Figuring out if a loved one is being abused in a nursing home can be difficult sometimes. This is because negligent nursing homes often try to hide their misdeeds, and many patients are afraid of retaliation if they complain.

However, no one has to talk for you to know that something is wrong. There are common telltale signs of nursing home neglect and abuse, and bedsores are one of them.

It is important for loved ones and patients to understand how to spot bedsores and take action to prevent further nursing home abuse or neglect. If you suspect a loved one in a Georgia nursing home is suffering due to below-standard care, contact Kurle Justice, LLC for a free case consultation.

We can explain how the law applies to your situation and help weigh your legal options.

Bedsores may signal nursing home neglect

Bedsores are often an indication that a patient is being neglected because they can develop if a person is sedentary and doesn't move around much for long periods of time.

Bedsores typically grow on a person's tailbone, hip, heels, or ankles but can form just about anywhere on the body. They are painful and can become infected. If left untreated, the sore may never fully heal or may become fatal.

Signs of bedsores include:

  • Swelling.
  • Bruising or abnormal change in skin color and/or texture.
  • Draining of clear pus-like substance.
  • The area of affected skin feels warmer or cooler to the touch than the surrounding area.
  • Tenderness.

If you notice one or more bedsores on a loved one in a nursing home, you need to seek immediate medical attention for your loved one.

The four stages of bedsores (pressure ulcers)

Bedsores progressively become worse over four stages. The first stage is the mildest, while in stage 4, there is a risk of death.

  • Stage 1 - The sore may appear red and be hard or warm to the touch.
  • Stage 2 - The skin has cracked open, and there may be a blister or fluid, like puss, under the ulcer.
  • Stage 3 - The sore is now in the fatty tissue below the dermis (the layer just below the most exterior skin). The injury may look like a crater. Dead tissues around the wound make it appear black.
  • Stage 4 - At this point, the sore may have spread to the bones, muscles, and ligaments and extended infection to these areas. Stage 4 bedsores may take months to heal, or the victim may never fully recover.

Again, if your loved one is suffering from or had bedsores, do not sit on the fence wondering whether to take action. The nursing home may insist everything is "fine," but if you sense something is off, trust your gut and contact an experienced nursing home negligence lawyer to learn more about your legal options.

A nursing home neglect attorney can be your voice for justice

For years, families in Decatur and throughout Georgia have trusted Kurle Justice, LLC to handle complicated nursing home negligence and wrongful death claims. We are relentless in our pursuit of justice, and we will fight for the financial compensation you deserve.

If you suspect a loved one has been injured or died due to neglect or abuse at a Georgia nursing home, contact us for a free, confidential case consultation. A member of our team is available to hear from you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us today.

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