Oakland Bedsores Lawyers

Bed sores, often referred to as pressure ulcers, can lead to significant long-term health complications for individuals. These often affect the elderly, disabled, and infirmed. Bed sores are preventable, and they are often caused by the careless or negligent actions of medical professionals and caregivers. At Milanfar Law Firm, PC, we are here to help if you need an Oakland bedsores lawyer by your side. We know how to handle these types of cases when working to recover compensation for victims of negligence.

Why Choose Us at Milanfar Law Firm PC?

  • At Milanfar Law Firm, PC, we have proudly served the Oakland area for more than 20 years, assisting injury victims with their claims to recover compensation from negligent parties.
  • We handle bedsore claims in Oakland on a contingency fee basis, which means clients and their families do not have to worry about paying legal fees until after we recover compensation for their losses.
  • We believe in putting the client first in all cases, which means we will never rush to obtain a quick settlement. We want to help you every step of the way.

What are The Stages of Bed Sores and How Do They Affect Legal Cases?

Bedsores can develop in individuals who are bedridden, immobile, unconscious, or unable to sense pain. These ulcers occur on skin areas under prolonged pressure, potentially leading to serious complications if not properly managed. Bedsores are categorized into four stages, indicating the severity of tissue damage:

  • Stage 1. The affected area of the body appears red and feels warm to the touch. In individuals with darker skin, the area may show a blue or purple tint. The early signs may involve discomfort, itching, or burning.
  • Stage 2. This stage shows more significant damage with the presence of an open sore, scrape, or blister. Skin around the bedsore may be discolored, and the individual may experience considerable pain.
  • Stage 3. The sore worsens into a crater-like appearance due to damage below the skin’s surface, indicating deeper tissue damage.
  • Stage 4. This final stage involves severe damage with a large wound, and there may be exposure of muscles, tendons, bones, and joints. Infection is a significant risk at this stage.

The stages of a bed sore or multiple bed sores could alter the personal injury claim against another party. Often, bed sores that reach later stages are indicators that there has been a pattern of inadequate care for some time with a patient.

Common Causes of Bed Sore Injuries

These injuries result from prolonged pressure on the skin, cutting off the supply of blood to the area and causing damage or death to the skin and underlying tissues. Common causes of bed sore injuries include:

  • Prolonged immobility. Individuals who are bedridden or use wheelchairs for extended periods without changing position are at a higher risk. This is often seen in hospitalized patients, elderly individuals, and those with severe disabilities.
  • Inadequate nutrition and hydration. Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for skin health. A lack of these can weaken the skin and make it more susceptible to damage.
  • Moisture. Skin that is exposed to moisture for an extended period, such as from sweat, urine, or feces, can become soft and more prone to injury.
  • Friction and shear. When skin rubs against bedding or clothing or when it is dragged across a surface, the risk of developing bed sores increases.

We do want to be clear that bed sores can occur even if individuals receive good care inside of a nursing facility. However, as soon as caregivers realize a person is developing bed sores, they must take appropriate steps to treat the current bed sores and prevent further bed sores from occurring.

Bedsores Often Occur Due to Caregiver Negligence

Data from the National Council on Aging indicates that approximately one out of every ten Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some type of elder abuse. What many people do not realize is that the development of bedsores is an indicator of neglect or even willful abuse by a nursing home employee or a caregiver.

Information from the Cleveland Clinic indicates that bed sores happen in individuals who have been immobile for long periods of time, such as those who use a wheelchair or are bedridden. Bed sores can lead to larger wounds and cause severe, life-threatening infections. Estimates are that approximately 2.5 million individuals develop bed sores every year in this country, and they are most likely to affect the buttocks, heels, hips, tailbone, ankles, back, and any other areas where Bony parts of the body come into direct contact with a bed or chair.

Bed sores are preventable. Caregivers should regularly help individuals change positions if they are in a bed. The skin should be cleaned regularly, and caregivers should look for any changes in color to the skin or tenderness or numbness on their patient’s body. Proper nutrition and hydration help prevent bed sores, as does keeping the skin dry.

Can You Recover Compensation for Bedsore Injuries?

Individuals may be able to recover compensation if they sustain bed sores caused by the negligence of a caregiver or nursing home. This compensation can include both economic and non-economic damages, such as the following:

  • Coverage of medical care needed to treat the bed sores
  • Payment for any necessary changes with in-home or institutional care
  • Physical pain and suffering damages
  • Emotional and psychological pain and suffering damages

California Statutes of Limitations for Bed Sore Claims

Bedsore victims should file their claims as promptly as possible (or a representative of the victim should file the claim on their behalf). The personal injury statute of limitations in California is two years from the date an injury occurs. We understand that pinpointing the exact date for when a bedsore happened can be challenging, particularly if your loved one is unable to communicate clearly. In general, bedsore claims should be filed within two years from when the bed sores are discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.

Call an Oakland Bedsore Injury Attorney Today

If you or somebody you care about has developed bed sores due to the careless or negligent actions of a medical provider or caregiver in the Oakland area, reach out to the team at Milanfar Law Firm, PC for assistance as soon as possible. We understand medical malpractice and nursing home negligence claims, and our team will conduct a complete investigation into your case. Our goal is to help ensure that you receive the compensation and care you need after going through this type of neglect. When you need an Oakland bed sores lawyer, you can reach us for a free consultation of your claim by filling out our contact form or calling us at (925) 433-6003.