Can I Sue if No One Noticed My Loved One’s Bedsores?

Families in Maryland are often shocked to learn just how badly their seniors have been treated in nursing homes. Even those who age in place may receive treatment and checkups from negligent healthcare providers who fail to notice the most obvious ailments. A particularly worrying issue is a bedsore, and this type of infection can be fatal. What legal options do you have if your senior died from a missed diagnosis in Baltimore? Can you sue?

No One Should Have to Have to Experience Bedsores 

In a hygienic, safe medical environment, no one should ever experience bedsores. These injuries are signs of neglect, and they often occur when seniors are left lying or sitting in the same position for too long. With no movement, the skin is exposed to the same surface for excessive periods. Dampness and bacteria combine to cause serious skin infections. These skin infections can spread, causing not only discomfort but genuine health concerns – such as sepsis.

Seniors may be particularly vulnerable to bedsores due to their weaker immune systems. In many cases, bedsores have proven fatal. No senior should have to experience this, and bedsores will not occur if staff members move patients into new positions throughout the day.

Can I Prove Negligence in a Bedsore Medical Malpractice Case?

 If you want to pursue compensation for your senior’s bedsores, you may need to prove that the healthcare provider was negligent in some way. A medical malpractice lawyer can assist with this, and they can gather various evidence to support your case.

For example, the nursing home may have written policies stating that the patients must be shifted and moved a certain number of times throughout the day. If staff fail to follow their own policies, this is a clear sign of negligence.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Fatal Bedsore Infection? 

Yes, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one died from a fatal bedsore. A lawsuit of this nature can provide compensation for funeral expenses. It may also cover the cost of your loved one’s healthcare during the last few months of their treatment. Reach out to a lawyer to discuss the details of wrongful death lawsuits.

Bedsores Don’t Just Affect Seniors 

While bedsores are particularly common among seniors, they are also possible in younger generations. For example, your loved one might have slipped into a coma after a car accident. If bedsores develop while the patient lies on a hospital bed, medical malpractice is a likely cause.

Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Baltimore Help Me Pursue Justice? 

A medical malpractice lawyer in Baltimore may be able to help you pursue justice if your senior experienced a missed diagnosis. Bedsores are far too common among seniors, and they are some of the most obvious signs of serious neglect. Fortunately, you may be able to hold nursing homes and healthcare providers liable for their failures. Reach out today to learn more about potential compensation – and take your first steps on the path toward closure with Furman Honick Law.

Sources: 

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17823-bedsores-pressure-injuries#:~:text=Bedsores%20occur%20when%20pressure%20reduces,outer%20layer)%20start%20to%20die.

thedailyrecord.com/2023/08/23/jury-awards-9-million-in-baltimore-county-nursing-home-bedsore-death/