This post is the third in a series of posts dealing with the most common form of nursing home abuse – the development of pressure ulcers and bedsores. In our previous two posts, we discussed the nursing home abuse that can lead to a Stage I bedsore followed by a Stage II bedsore. Hopefully, that nursing home abuse information was helpful to any person or family who has had a loved one suffer from a pressure ulcer or a bedsore caused by nursing home neglect. Sadly, Stage I and Stage II ulcers are not the most common types of nursing home abuse cases we handle as a New Jersey and Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawfirm. We typically deal with cases involving Stage III and Stage IV – the most serious and life-threatening pressure ulcers.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Represent Victims of Stage III Bedsores
According to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP), a Stage III pressure ulcer or bedsore is defined as:
Full thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may be visible but bone, tendon or muscle are not exposed. Slough may be present but does not obscure the depth of the tissue loss. May include undermining and tunneling.
As we detailed in our previous posts, prevention is always the best medicine. All nursing home staff should be trained and experienced in selecting an appropriate support surface to help with redistribution, sheer reduction, and microclimate control. Typically, nursing home abuse consists of the failure of untrained, overworked, and underpaid nursing home staff to meet their legal obligations to properly perform skin assessment, and properly turn and reposition patients who are at a risk for development of pressure ulcers and bedsores. Sadly, some studies suggest that nearly 30% of all nursing home residents have a form of bedsore. When a nursing home abuse case involves a patient with a Stage III ulcer, it is always a serious medical problem, and is usually a clear sign of nursing home neglect.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
A Stage III pressure ulcer is a serious medical condition which, if not properly treated, could lead to a life-threatening Stage IV ulcer. In addition, if not properly treated, a Stage III pressure ulcer could become infected, and a nursing home patient could be at serious risk of systemic infection which can lead to wrongful death.
If you or a family member have been in a nursing home or an assisted care facility and have developed a Stage III bedsore, you should immediately contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Let the Mininno Law Office team earn you the compensation you need a deserve.