Wrongful Death: When Severe Bedsores Lead to Death
Hospitals guarantee quality care. Nursing homes promise to take care of your family members like their own. While these institutions work toward fulfilling these obligations, complications can arise. Preventable problems – like bedsores – left untreated or unnoticed can lead to death and, as a result, a wrongful death lawsuit or medical malpractice lawsuit.
The Seriousness of Severe Bedsores
Bedsores are sometimes referred to as pressure sores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers. Because the skin is the body’s largest organ, it is susceptible to a great number of problems. Bedsores can occur for many reasons:
- Failure to keep a patient clean or change adult diapers.
- Failure to turn and reposition a patient that is immobilized.
- Failure to diagnose another condition.
- Inadequate wound care that leads to infections.
- Improper dosage or administration of medication.
- Failure to provide pressure relief.
- Failure to provide sufficient food and water.
- Failure to act or report complications in a timely manner.
- Lack of supervision and overall neglect.
The inaction on the part of a trusted caretaker that leads to severe bedsores can occur over days, weeks, months, or years. These unforgiveable and completely avoidable complications can lead to:
- Sepsis.
- Severe pain and suffering.
- Serious infections.
- Dehydration.
- Amputation.
- Disfigurement.
- Disability.
- Prolonged rehabilitation.
- Major medical expenses.
- Death.
Why Bedsores Can Be Classified as Medical Malpractice
Close to 2.5 million patients annually suffer from bedsores, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Nearly 60,000 patients die annually as a direct result of bedsores. Both adult and infant patients are at risk from bedsores without proper treatment and consistent care.
It is the job of every hospital to tend to patients’ acute medical needs, as well as their overall health. It is the responsibility of an elder care facility to maintain patient care and comfort and promptly address medical needs. No matter how many staff cuts there may be, no matter how many shift changes, patient care cannot fall through the cracks.
When medical facilities and its employees to not fulfill their duties in caring for patients or residents, the hospital neglect or nursing home neglect can lead to severe bedsores and even death. Many of these cases involve a systematic problem within the facility – that is no excuse. Facilities are responsible for providing consistent management of care, employee training, procedural adjustments, and excellent communication among staff.
Do You Have a Bedsores Lawsuit?
Patients who suffer severe bedsores that lead to extreme suffering or the development of further medical issues caused by lack of care is enough to seek the damages you and your family deserve through a medical malpractice lawsuit. Families that lose a loved one because of severe bedsores are looking at a viable wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation and find out what your options are. You have the best chance of receiving full monetary compensation for your suffering with the help of our experienced attorneys. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today to schedule your consultation.
