San Diego Pressure Ulcer Lawyer

Vaage Law > Practice Areas > San Diego Pressure Ulcer Lawyer

Each year, bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, affect roughly 2.5 million Americans. While these painful wounds are unfortunately common among the elderly due to their fragile skin and limited mobility, this doesn’t mean they should be considered a normal part of nursing home care.

Nursing homes and other facilities have a duty to provide proper care and regular attention to prevent bedsores. When they fail in this responsibility, it’s not just a lapse in care—it’s elder abuse. The presence of bedsores in your loved one’s care is a clear warning sign that their well-being may be at risk.

At Vaage Law, we refuse to standby while senior residents are unjustly subjected to mistreatment, neglect, and pain. For over 30 years, our firm has made it our mission to uphold the rights of and protect the more vulnerable.

Pressure ulcers should never be brushed aside, as they can result in life-threatening complications for your loved one. Reach out to us online or call (619) 338-0505 so a San Diego pressure ulcer lawyer can get to work on protecting your family member.

Every bedsore tells a story of neglect and suffering that no elderly person should endure in what’s supposed to be a safe space for them. If your loved one is facing this painful reality, the time to act is now.

What Causes Pressure Ulcers?

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, develop when there is prolonged pressure on the skin, typically over bony areas like the heels, hips, or tailbone. In nursing homes, these sores often occur because residents may be bedridden or confined to a wheelchair for extended periods.

When someone cannot change positions on their own, the pressure on their skin can restrict blood flow, leading to tissue damage and sores. That’s why nursing home staff are instructed to rotate residents to a new position every two hours or so to prevent bedsores.

Factors That Increase the Risk of Bedsores

Several factors increase the risk of developing pressure ulcers, including:

• Delicate Skin: Elderly individuals often have thinner, more delicate skin that is less able to handle pressure.
• Medical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, incontinence, or poor circulation can make the skin more vulnerable.
• Inadequate Staffing: Insufficient staff may mean that residents are not repositioned regularly, cleaned, or taken care of properly.
• Lack of Proper Training: Staff may not be adequately trained to prevent and manage bedsores.
• Insufficient Attention: Failure to maintain skin hygiene and use supportive surfaces can contribute to the problem.

While factors like delicate skin or medical conditions can increase the risk, they should never be used as scapegoats for your loved one’s bedsores. Preventing these painful wounds is the responsibility of the nursing home.

“At Vaage Law, we are sickened by any instance of elder abuse because ​​when facilities cut corners or ignore their responsibilities, they aren’t just failing in their duties—they’re carelessly and callously risking innocent senior citizens’ health and dignity. We fight for the highest standard of care because when it comes to protecting those you love, anything less is simply unacceptable.” 

• Robert Vaage
  Founding Partner & Attorney at Vaage Law

How Common Is Elder Abuse in San Diego?

In San Diego County, 636,000 older adults are 60+. The city’s senior population is only expected to continue to grow, making it more important than ever to be aware of elder abuse in our community.

Below are just a few facts highlighting the prevalence of elder abuse in San Diego:

• San Diego County handles over 10,000 reports of elder and dependent adult abuse each year.
• San Diego County Adult Protective Services reported a total of 3,532 allegations of elder abuse between 2019-2020.
• By 2050, 26% of San Diego County’s population will be comprised of individuals 65 years and older.
• Sadly, statistics suggest that one out of twenty will be a victim of elder abuse in their lifetime.
• Only 19% of elder abuse incidents are reported.

The Four Stages of Bedsores According to a San Diego Pressure Ulcers Attorney

Pressure ulcers or bedsores are considered “never events” by Medicare, meaning that, other than in rare instances, they should not occur in the absence of neglect. In other words, these painful and preventable wounds are a clear indicator of neglect and substandard care.

Bedsores aren’t just a nuisance—they can lead to severe health problems, or worse, even death. What starts as a minor sore can quickly evolve into deep, painful wounds that may cause infections and systemic health issues.

There are four stages to bedsores:

• Stage 1: The area looks red and feels warm to the touch. Pressure sores only affect the upper layer of the skin. The skin in the area may be painful, burning, or itching.
• Stage 2: The area looks more damaged and may have an open sore, scrape, or blister. The area is swollen, warm, and/or red. There may be clear fluid or pus.
• Stage 3: The area has a crater-like appearance due to damage below the skin’s surface. The sore has gone into the fat tissue. It may have a bad odor and show signs of infection, requiring antibiotics and the surgical removal of dead tissue.
• Stage 4: The area is severely damaged, and a large wound is present. The sore is deep, and you may be able to see bone and tendons. The wound needs immediate medical attention and most likely requires surgery.

Can Bedsores Lead to Death?

When bedsores reach stages 3 and 4, the deep wounds can become breeding grounds for dangerous infections. These infections can lead to a serious condition called sepsis. Sepsis happens when the body’s response to an infection goes haywire, causing widespread inflammation that can harm organs and tissues.

This condition can cause symptoms like high fever, rapid heart rate, and confusion. If not treated quickly, sepsis can lead to shock, organ failure, and even death. 

Your loved one’s golden years should be a time of peace and comfort, not hindered by the agony of bedsores. They deserve the kind of care that mirrors the love and attention you would provide yourself.

 

Don’t let these years be overshadowed by suffering. Contact our San Diego bedsores attorneys online or call (619) 338-0505 to learn how we can get compensation and justice for your loved one.

How Can a San Diego Bedsore Lawyer Help Me and My Loved One?

If you’re worried your loved one is experiencing elder abuse and suffering bedsores as a result, you don’t have to tackle this challenge alone. A San Diego pressure ulcer lawyer will work round the clock to hold the facility accountable and protect your family’s rights by:

• Unearthing the Truth: A lawyer will dig deep to gather indisputable evidence of the abuse, including photographs of bedsores, medical records, and reports from nursing home inspections.
• Collecting Witness Statements: Your lawyer will interview staff, other residents, and anyone else who can provide relevant testimony about the mistreatment.
• Bringing in the Professionals: They’ll consult top medical professionals to get a clear picture of the damage done by the pressure ulcers and how it could have been prevented.
• Taking Care of Legal Procedures: Lawyers will handle all of the legal paperwork and procedural obstacles, so you can focus on your loved one.
• Fighting for Fair Compensation: Whether it be negotiating with the facility or taking them to court, your lawyer won’t stop until you get financial support that appropriately addresses the harm your loved one has endured.

Proof in Numbers: How a San Diego Bedsore Attorney Can Improve the Outcome of Your Case

Not only will having a lawyer by your side take legal headaches off your plate while you focus on helping your elderly loved one, but having legal representation can boost your chances of success. A 2016 Martindale-Nolo study that surveyed personal injury claimants found that:

• Over 90% of people with legal representation received a settlement or award, compared to just 50% of those who handled their claims alone.
• Those with lawyers received an average of $77,600 in compensation, while those without only got about $17,600.
• 70% of those who negotiated settlements, often with their lawyer’s help, secured an average of $30,700 more than those who accepted the initial offer.

Listen to Lawyer Robert Vaage Discuss His Dedication to Our Clients

How Much Can a San Diego Pressure Ulcers Lawyer Help Me Recover for My Loved One?

Pressure ulcers – along with other signs – can point to elder abuse, medical malpractice, and neglect.

Discovering your loved one has bedsores due to elder abuse can feel world-shattering. Our San Diego pressure ulcer attorneys will work tirelessly so that you and your family member get the full and fair compensation you’re entitled, such as:

• Medical Costs: Covers the expenses for treating bedsores, including doctor visits, medication, and any necessary surgeries.
• Pain and Suffering: You might be able to get compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the bedsores.
• Lost Wages: If your loved one had to miss work or if you had to take time off to care for them, a lawyer can help you recover those lost wages.
• Future Medical Needs: They can secure funds for ongoing treatment and care if bedsores have caused long-term health issues.
• Special Equipment: Compensation can also cover the cost of special beds, cushions, or other equipment needed to prevent further bedsores.

Vaage Law’s Track Record of Settlements and Verdicts for Seniors

The plight of senior citizens is often overlooked, with their struggles sometimes being swept under the rug or ignored by society. At Vaage Law, we refuse to let their voices go unheard and have brought their stories to light to get them the justice and respect they deserve.

Our San Diego bedsores attorneys have achieved positive outcomes for seniors and their families, including:

• $160,000 Settlement for Wrongful Death: An 89-year-old’s fall, due to failure to monitor fall risk, resulted in a broken hip, surgery, and complications that led to her death, including fluid overload and bedsores.
• $700,000 Settlement for Elder Abuse: A 94-year-old was tragically found dead, asphyxiated by a waist restraint left unsecured at the side of his bed.

Why Hire a San Diego Bedsores Lawyer at Vaage Law

At Vaage Law, our founder, Attorney Robert Vaage, has more than 35 years of trial experience and has tried cases successfully to verdict more frequently than 95% of the civil trial attorneys in San Diego.

This is just a testament to the level of care, experience, and legal counsel you receive when you hire our San Diego elder abuse firm. Whether your loved one develops pressure ulcers in a nursing home or hospital because of neglect, we will see you through this challenging time.

With over $175 million recovered for our clients, our San Diego pressure ulcer attorneys will fight on your and your elderly loved one’s behalf to ensure you get the financial support and justice you deserve. Contact us online or call (619) 338-0505 to learn more about how we can serve you.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents

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