As you may know, nursing home neglect is a growing problem throughout the country. Current statistics show that nearly 91% of all nursing home facilities in the U.S. are understaffed—forcing countless residents to suffer to the consequences. For this reason, the Long Island personal injury lawyers at The Odierno Law Firm, P.C. encourage you to question the level of attention that your elderly loved ones are receiving. While there are a number of warning signs that could indicate neglect and/or abuse, one of the most obvious indicators of insufficient care is the development of bed sores.
Bed sores, also known as pressure sores, typically develop when an immobilized patient is neglected by their caretaker. When the body remains in a sedentary position for too long, the sustained pressure will prohibit blood flow to vulnerable areas (i.e. elbows, tailbone, spine and shoulders). This, in turn, can cause the skin tissue to die. If these sores go untreated, the underlying muscle, bone, tendons and joints can be irreparably damaged. For this reason, it is imperative that a bed-ridden patient be turned or moved at least once every two hours—as this is the only way to prevent a build-up of pressure.
If a nursing home caretaker fails to attend to their patients’ needs, bed sores are just one of the many consequences that may develop as a result. Fortunately, all wrongfully injured victims have the right to pursue compensation if they have been injured by the negligent or careless actions of a nursing home facility. With the help of a Long Island personal injury attorney from The Odierno Law Firm, P.C., you or your elderly loved one can bring suit against the responsible party. To find out if you are entitled to damages, contact our firm today for a free consultation: (877) 379-5144.
Lee J. Odierno is the managing partner of Odienero Law’s no-fault department. Find out more about Lee on his profile page, or visit any of his social media profiles below: