Nursing homes carry a heavy responsibility. They are charged with protecting and caring for one of the most, if not the most, vulnerable populations amongst us. That is why they are subjected to various rules and regulations pertaining to everything from care plans to staffing ratios. Yet, despite the importance of their work, far too often nursing home neglect occurs, which leaves innocent and unsuspecting nursing home residents susceptible to serious harm.
One common sign of nursing home neglect is bedsores. These injuries occur when consistent pressure is applied to the skin, causing the skin to develop ulcers. Bedsores are most often found on bony parts of the body, such as hips, elbows, ankles, heels, tailbones, and even the head. In the nursing home context, bedsores develop when a resident isn’t tended to frequently enough and turned from his or her position. These injuries can be extremely painful and lead to more serious medical conditions.
When bedsores go untreated, an individual can end up developing life-threatening conditions. Amongst them are infections of the skin, bone, and joints. A bedsore sufferer can also wind up with certain types of cancer. Perhaps the most immediately dangerous condition that can develop is sepsis, which is an infection in the blood. All of these conditions, and underlying bedsores, need prompt medical treatment.
The sad reality is that far too many nursing home patients are subjected to a wide array of actions and inactions that constitute nursing home neglect. These victims suffer physical and emotional harm, and the medical costs associated with recovering can be quite extensive. Oftentimes these victims and their families want some sort of accountability, too.
Fortunately, they have the option to pursue legal action against the nursing home and its staff. If successful, victims and their families may be able to recover compensation for their damages, found accountability, and better ensure that other nursing home patients aren’t subjected to a similar future.
