Bedsores in New Jersey Nursing Homes

Bedsores might seem like a minor concern if you or a loved one are already dealing with other health problems, but they can develop into life-threatening infections if left untreated. Bedsores in New Jersey nursing homes are usually preventable with proper care. If your loved one develops bedsores because of nursing home neglect, a skilled attorney could help you get the compensation you need to hold the facility accountable and pay for future care.

What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Homes?

Bedsores, which are also called pressure ulcers, happen when the skin does not get enough blood flow. Sitting or lying down for long periods without being able to reposition oneself creates a risk of bedsores. This is common with nursing home patients who cannot move around easily. If bedsores are not treated quickly, they can develop into open wounds that put the nursing home resident at risk of serious infections. They are most common on bony parts of the body like the tailbone and backs of the arms and legs. Diabetes and other conditions that affect blood flow can increase the risk as well.

To prevent bedsores, New Jersey nursing homes should reposition residents who are not independently mobile regularly and place cushions or pillows intentionally to protect bony areas. General care, like providing proper nutrition and managing underlying conditions like diabetes, also reduces the risk of bedsores. In many cases, nursing home staff do not reposition residents frequently enough because of understaffing rather than intentional neglect.

Can a Nursing Home Resident Sue Because of Bedsores?

Bedsores can usually be prevented with proper care, so a New Jersey nursing home resident who develops them will often have a good case for a lawsuit. To file a successful nursing home neglect lawsuit, the resident needs to prove that the facility had a duty to provide appropriate care, failed to uphold that duty, and caused an injury by doing this. Nursing homes automatically have a duty to care for their residents, so the legal case wil ok I’m c l usually focus on connecting the nursing home’s actions or lack of actions to the injury.

In general, injured people have two years from the date the injury happens to file a lawsuit. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. New Jersey Statute Section 2A:14-21 states that if the injured person is mentally disabled, the two-year time limit does not start until the disability ends. This means that family members of nursing home residents with dementia or other cognitive issues could have extended time to pursue a lawsuit. If the bedsores are not discovered right away, the discovery rule may also allow the injured person to start the two-year clock when the injury is found instead of when it happened.

Discuss Your New Jersey Nursing Home Bedsores Case With an Attorney Now

If you or a loved one has limited mobility and does not receive proper care in your nursing home, bedsores can be a serious risk. Bedsores in New Jersey nursing homes are usually a sign of neglect. A lawyer could help you determine whether you have a strong case for a lawsuit. If you do, your lawyer will guide you through the process to ensure that you get the best possible outcome. Schedule a free consultation with Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq today.