All complaints by the resident and signs of abuse and neglect should be taken seriously. While government agencies are empowered to sanction nursing homes you may need to contact an attorney to pursue a private action to obtain a fair and just recovery for your loved one. In egregious cases, experienced attorneys may pursue punitive damages to punish the nursing home and to deter future wrongful conduct. Below is a list of frequently asked questions about nursing home injuries. Pressure sores, also called bed sores or decubitus ulcers, are lesions caused by pressure that has damaged underlying tissues.
Pressure sores are easier to prevent than to treat.
Patients in nursing homes are particularly susceptible to pressure sores and nursing homes must recognize the patient s risk of developing pressure sores and take preventive measures. Pressure sores are often painful and without proper treatment they will become progressively worse risking exposure of the underlying tissue and bones. When pressure sores become infected they can be fatal. While some pressure sores are not preventable, the vast majority of these painful and serious injuries can be prevented and treated through the development of a proper plan of care including turning the patient regularly, keeping the patient clean and dry, and providing for his or her nutritional needs. Under the Federal nursing home reform law, the resident has the right to be free from any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience, and not required to treat the resident s medical symptoms.