Seniors in nursing homes, particularly those who are bedridden, require a high standard of care in order to allow them to maintain their quality of life or avoid injury. Unfortunately, many nursing homes struggle with a variety of issues, from understaffing to poorly-trained staff members, that can lead to negligence resulting in substantial injuries. If you or a loved one suffered bedsores because of a nursing home’s negligence, a Virginia Beach nursing home bedsores lawyer could help you recover compensation for your losses.
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Bedsores, also known as pressure sores, occur when someone puts pressure on the same area of skin for a long time without moving. They occur most often over bony areas of the body due to the increased pressure, but they can occur in any location.
Bedsores in nursing homes often result from negligence on the part of staff members. A senior who cannot get out of bed or out of their chair on their own may need help to move and adjust position regularly, particularly when dealing with illness or an injury. Unfortunately, staff members may fail to take care of those needs because of:
Virginia law requires nursing homes to meet specific standards for resident care. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-138, nursing facilities must ensure proper supervision and care to protect residents from preventable harm. When a facility fails to uphold this duty and a resident suffers as a result, it may be held legally responsible. A Virginia Beach nursing home bedsores attorney could help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for the harm caused.
Liability for bedsores in nursing homes often rests with the nursing home itself, since the nursing home bears a high duty of care when it comes to its senior residents. However, liability can also rest with a doctor who fails to adequately treat or care for a patient, or a staffing agency that provides staff for the nursing home, but that does not adequately screen the individuals it sends. A nursing home bedsores lawyer in Virginia Beach could help injured individuals determine who they need to file a claim against after developing bedsores.
Compensation for bedsores in nursing homes often depends on the extent of the senior’s damages and losses. It typically includes compensation for increased medical treatment needs or increased cost of care needs due to the bedsores, the cost of moving a patient to a new facility if necessary due to increased medical needs because of neglect, and the senior’s suffering.
Dealing with bedsores can mean immense complications for many seniors. When pressure sores result from nursing home negligence, you may need to file a claim against the nursing home for compensation. A Virginia Beach nursing home bedsores lawyer could prove instrumental in that process. Reach out to The Law Firm of Carlton F. Bennett today to discuss how you can recover compensation for bedsores and the challenges that follow.
