Bedsores in Illinois Nursing Home Residents Can Lead to Serious Consequences

Illinois Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys

Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, are a common and preventable injury in nursing homes that can cause severe physical pain and lead to life-threatening complications. When nursing home staff fail to provide proper care, residents can develop these painful sores due to prolonged pressure on the skin, particularly in bedridden or immobile residents. At John J. Malm & Associates, we are committed to fighting for the rights of nursing home residents who have suffered from bedsores due to neglect. With offices in Naperville and St. Charles, our experienced nursing home injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims and their families seek justice and obtain compensation for the harm caused by nursing home negligence.

What Are Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)?

Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. These sores typically develop on areas of the body where bones are close to the skin, such as the hips, heels, tailbone, and elbows. Bedsores are categorized into four stages, ranging from mild skin irritation to deep wounds that can expose muscle and bone. The stages of bedsores include:

• Stage 1: The skin is red and painful but not broken. This stage can often be reversed if treated early.
• Stage 2: The skin breaks open or forms a blister, exposing the underlying layers of skin. Proper treatment can still prevent further damage at this stage.
• Stage 3: The sore deepens, affecting the tissue beneath the skin. The wound may appear as a crater, and fat may be visible.
• Stage 4: The pressure ulcer becomes deep enough to expose muscle, bone, or tendons. This stage often leads to severe infections and requires extensive medical intervention.

Bedsores are preventable with proper care, including regularly repositioning residents, maintaining good hygiene, and ensuring adequate nutrition. When nursing homes fail to provide this level of care, residents are at high risk of developing these painful and dangerous ulcers.

“Bedsores are a clear sign of neglect in nursing homes. Our firm is dedicated to holding nursing homes accountable for failing to provide the basic care that could prevent these painful and dangerous sores.” — John J. Malm, Illinois nursing home abuse attorney.

Common Causes of Bedsores in Nursing Homes

Bedsores often occur due to a combination of factors, many of which can be prevented with proper care. In nursing homes, common causes of bedsores include:

• Immobility: Residents who are bedridden, use a wheelchair, or are otherwise immobile are at high risk of developing bedsores because they cannot shift their weight regularly. Without assistance from caregivers to change positions, prolonged pressure on the skin leads to ulcers.
• Inadequate Repositioning: Nursing home staff are required to regularly reposition immobile residents to prevent pressure on certain parts of the body. Failing to do so is a form of neglect that leads directly to bedsores.
• Poor Hygiene: Bedridden residents require regular cleaning and changing of bed linens to prevent moisture and bacteria from accumulating on the skin. Poor hygiene increases the likelihood of skin breakdown and infections that can contribute to bedsores.
• Incontinence: Residents who are incontinent need frequent assistance with cleaning and changing. When urine or feces is left on the skin for too long, it can irritate the skin, leading to the development of bedsores.
• Malnutrition and Dehydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining healthy skin and promoting healing. Nursing homes that fail to provide adequate nutrition and fluids increase the risk of bedsores because the body is less able to repair damaged skin.
• Poorly Fitted Medical Devices: Devices such as braces or catheters that are too tight or improperly placed can put pressure on certain areas of the skin, leading to the development of pressure ulcers.

When nursing homes fail to take these basic preventive measures, residents suffer unnecessary pain and face the risk of serious medical complications.

Complications of Bedsores

Without prompt treatment, bedsores can lead to a range of serious complications, including:

• Infections: Open wounds from bedsores can become infected with bacteria, leading to conditions such as cellulitis, sepsis, or osteomyelitis (bone infection). In severe cases, these infections can be life-threatening.
• Sepsis: Sepsis occurs when an infection spreads throughout the body, causing a potentially fatal immune response. Elderly residents with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to sepsis.
• Tissue Necrosis: In advanced stages of bedsores, the tissue surrounding the ulcer can die due to lack of blood flow, leading to tissue necrosis. In extreme cases, this may require surgical removal of the dead tissue or amputation.
• Chronic Pain: Bedsores are extremely painful, especially in their later stages. Residents with untreated bedsores may experience chronic pain that significantly reduces their quality of life.
• Death: In the most severe cases, complications from bedsores—such as infections or sepsis—can lead to death, particularly in elderly or immunocompromised residents.

These complications are not only painful but can also result in long-term disability or death, making it critical for nursing homes to prevent bedsores and provide immediate care if they develop.

Legal Protections for Nursing Home Residents in Illinois

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act ensures that nursing home residents are entitled to proper care, including measures to prevent the development of bedsores. Nursing homes are required to provide appropriate care, regularly reposition residents, maintain proper hygiene, and monitor for early signs of pressure ulcers. If bedsores do develop, they must be treated immediately to prevent further complications.

When nursing homes fail to meet these standards, they can be held legally responsible for the harm caused by their negligence. Victims of bedsores and their families may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation for the cost of medical treatments, hospital stays, surgeries, or ongoing care required due to complications from bedsores.
• Pain and Suffering: Residents who have endured physical pain and emotional distress from bedsores may be entitled to compensation for their suffering.
• Wrongful Death: In cases where bedsores lead to the death of a resident, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our experienced personal injury attorneys have successfully represented victims of bedsores in Illinois nursing homes. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they deserve and that negligent facilities are held accountable.

How Our Attorneys Can Help Victims of Bedsores

Proving negligence in a bedsore case requires a thorough investigation of nursing home care practices, medical records, and facility protocols. At John J. Malm & Associates, our Illinois nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers have the expertise and resources necessary to pursue justice on behalf of victims of bedsores. Here’s how we can assist you:

• Thorough Investigation: We will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the development of bedsores, gathering evidence such as medical records, staff reports, and facility inspection records to build a strong case.
• Advocating for Residents’ Rights: Our legal team is dedicated to protecting the rights of nursing home residents, ensuring they receive proper care and holding negligent nursing homes accountable.
• Filing a Lawsuit: If necessary, we will file a lawsuit against the nursing home and any responsible parties, seeking compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by bedsores.
• Negotiating Settlements: We will work to negotiate a fair settlement that compensates the victim for their suffering and ensures they receive the care they need moving forward.
• Trial Representation: If a settlement cannot be reached, our experienced trial attorneys are prepared to take the case to court, presenting a compelling argument on behalf of the victim.

With offices in Naperville and St. Charles, our team at John J. Malm & Associates is ready to represent victims of bedsores across Illinois.

What to Do if You Suspect Bedsores in a Nursing Home

If you suspect that your loved one has developed bedsores due to neglect in a nursing home, it is important to take immediate action to protect their health and well-being. Follow these steps:

1. Document the Evidence: Keep detailed records of any signs of bedsores, including photographs of the affected areas, notes on the resident’s condition, and any complaints of pain or discomfort.
2. Speak with Nursing Home Management: If it is safe to do so, discuss your concerns with the nursing home’s administration and document their response. Ensure that immediate steps are taken to address the bedsores and provide proper care.
3. Report the Neglect: Contact the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to report the suspected neglect. The IDPH is responsible for investigating allegations of abuse and neglect in Illinois nursing homes.
4. Contact an Experienced Nursing Home Abuse Attorney: Reach out to John J. Malm & Associates for a free consultation. Our attorneys will investigate the case and work to hold the nursing home accountable for failing to provide proper care.

Protecting Your Loved One’s Rights in Bedsore Cases

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are committed to holding nursing homes accountable for bedsores and ensuring that residents receive the care they need. Bedsores are a preventable injury, and nursing homes that fail to take basic preventive measures must be held responsible for their negligence.

Our firm provides compassionate, skilled legal representation to victims of bedsores and their families, and we work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you won’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact the Experienced Illinois Bedsore Injury Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates

If you or a loved one has developed bedsores in an Illinois nursing home, don’t wait to take action. Our experienced Illinois nursing home injury attorneys offer free consultations. With offices conveniently located in Naperville and St. Charles, we are here to help families throughout Illinois. Contact us in Naperville or St. Charles today, and let us fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.