Although they are more widely referred to as bed sores, pressure sores (pressure ulcers) are areas of the skin that have been damaged or killed completely due to a pressure-causing lack of circulation. These types of injuries tend to appear in areas of the skin with less fat and muscle and more bone and/or cartilage, such as heels, knees, elbows, ankles, and sacrum.

Although these injuries can happen to anyone, bedsores (pressure ulcers) are more likely to occur in elderly patients who have been bedridden for an extended period of time as the result of:

  • Coma
  • Surgery
  • Auto accident
  • Dangerous infection
  • Other injury or ailments

If you or your loved one have been diagnosed with bed sores, you may qualify for a nursing home neglect claim if the sores were due to the direct negligence of the nursing home staff. At The Injury Firm Las Vegas, our lawyers are ready to get to work for you. We have repeatedly been named one of the top injury law firms in Nevada, and we have successfully helped thousands of clients achieve maximum compensation for their personal injury claims for the past 10 years.

Different types of bed sores

If the bed sores arose in regular, stageable fashion, bedsores will be easily identifiable to any medical professional and are fairly easy to diagnose and treat. These types of sores tend to result in a favorable recovery. However, if they are unstageable, bedsores will arise without any of the standard visibilities or symptoms, which can lead to permanently damaged skin, bone, tendon and muscle.

Stage 1 bedsores: Redness of the skin. This is the typical development of pressure sores which  causes a person to feel pain in their skin, an odd or uneven texture in skin, or a hot or cold sensation in the skin to touch.

Stage 2 bedsores: Formation of blisters. These sores have advanced and damaged layers of the skin, causing blisters, abrasions, and moderate pain.

Stage 3 bedsores: Visible damage to skin. These bedsores have damaged all layers of the skin.

Stage 4 bedsores: Tissue loss; life-threatening infection. These bedsores have advanced so far that they are now damaging bone, tendon, and/or muscles. Nearly 40 percent of all stage 4 patients do not fully heal from their injuries.

Can bed sores cause death?

Bedsores can, and do, cause death more often than one would think. Once the sores hit stage 3 or stage 4, the bedsore becomes susceptible to bacteria and infection, including sepsis and septic shock, which can eventually lead to organ failure and/or death.

In fact, over 60,000 people die from bedsores complications each year, and over half of all cases are found inside of nursing homes. For that reason, if you or a loved one have suffered form a bedsores injury while under the direct care of a nursing home, you should contact an experienced nursing home neglect attorney right away.

Who is most commonly affected by bed sores?

Bedsores can affect people of all ages and ethnicities, however, the most susceptible demographic are:

  • Old age: Those who are 65 or older are more likely to suffer from bedsores.
  • Nursing home residents: A recent study found that over 25 percent of all pressure ulcer cases arose from nursing homes.
  • Bedridden patients: Those who are confined to bedrest for prolonged periods of time are more prone to developing pressure ulcers if they are not properly cared for by their healthcare facility.

Proper treatment for bed sores

Every case is unique; however, there are certain things that should be done regardless of how advanced your bedsores are. Common treatments include:

  • Constantly moving a patients position in bed;
  • Utilizing pressure-relief mattresses and pillows;
  • Tending and caring to open wounds;
  • Addressing damaged skin tissue;
  • Eating a healthy diet;
  • Taking antibiotics;
  • Surgery.

If you or a loved one have suffered from bed sores and you feel your nursing staff is not doing enough to care for them, you may have a valid elder abuse claim. Sometimes staff will ignore the severity of a bed sore, leading to improper treatment and care. Moreover, failing to issue antibiotics to any infected body part while under the direct supervision of medical care paves the way to proving negligence.

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Contact our bed sores lawyer in Las Vegas, Nevada

Our skilled attorney understands personal injury law and he has successfully recovered millions for his injured clients. By working with Brian M. Boyer, you will never be left in the dark. You can text or call him 24/7, and he and his dedicated staff will provide you with case updates as your claim progresses.

When it comes to patients who have developed bedsores during an admission to a Las Vegas, NV hospital, The Injury Firm Las Vegas is committed to prosecuting the case to the fullest extent under Nevada negligence law. Before you accept that your loved one’s hospital bedsore was inevitable, contact our law office so we can advise you of your legal options. Contact us today for a free case review at (702) 800-0988.

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“I got into an accident that wasn’t my fault. When my insurance wanted to hold me accountable for it I didn’t know who to call so I reached out to The Injury Firm. I can’t tell you how satisfied I was! It was like having a personal assistant. They took care of everything for me. I hope I never get in an accident again but if I do, they’ll be the first call I make.” – Omid S.

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Brian M. Boyer, Esq.

Meet Our Las Vegas Bed Sores Attorney

Brian M. Boyer has been practicing in the area of personal injury for over a decade. Throughout his career, he has helped hundreds of injured Las Vegas residents seek financial compensation for their accident-related injuries. His area of expertise includes car accidents, slip and falls, casino injury, brain injuries and more.

In 2019, he was recognized as the best car accident lawyer by Attorney At Law Magazine. This highly-sought-after award demonstrates his dedication, compassion, and commitment to his clients as well as the Las Vegas Valley.

If you or a loved one has been injured in Las Vegas, contact lawyer, Brian Boyer 24/7 at (702) 800-0988 for a free and confidential case review. If he cannot help you, he will point you in the best direction for your specific needs.

Remember, if you have been injured, the longer you wait, the less chance you have at achieving a successful recovery. We never make more than our clients. All consultations are free, and if you decide to hire Brian, you will not pay a dime until you’ve received your settlement. Thank you for taking the time to review our website and we hope to speak with you soon!

OUR ATTORNEY NEVER SETTLES FOR LESS. NEITHER SHOULD YOU.