Bedsores are a significant health risk that can lead to life-threatening infections, cases of sepsis and even preventable deaths in Las Cruces. If a nursing home resident or hospital patient develops a bedsore, this is a red flag. It’s important to discuss your potential legal options for getting justice for this form of neglect or abuse with a medical malpractice attorney in Las Cruces.
What Makes Our Lawyers the Right Choice in Las Cruces?
- Our personal injury lawyers have more than 50 years of experience helping clients in New Mexico.
- We understand how bedsore injury claims work and are prepared to go up against negligent institutions in Las Cruces.
- We have a 99 percent success rate and have secured millions in recoveries for our clients.
- Our attorneys are known for dedicating time and personal attention to each case.
- You won’t owe us anything unless your bedsore claim results in financial compensation.
What Is a Bedsore?
A bedsore is a pressure ulcer, or a soft-tissue injury that is caused by excessive pressure against one part of the body. Prolonged pressure without relief cuts off the circulation to the skin’s tissues, which can eventually lead to a loss of oxygen and nutrients in the area and cell damage. This creates an ulcer, sore or open wound.
Stages of Bedsore Progression
Bedsores have stages they can progress through if left untreated. A stage 1 bedsore is minor and does not break the skin. At stage 2, a blister or ulcer forms that affects more than just the top layer of skin. A stage 3 bedsore is an open wound with damage that extends down into the fatty tissues. A stage 4 bedsore is a severe ulcer that affects the patient’s muscle and/or bone.
Why Are Bedsores a Sign of Neglect?
Bedsores among individuals who are under the care of others, such as at nursing homes and hospitals, can be a sign of neglect or professional negligence. Bedsores are largely preventable injuries that arise when a victim is not tended to properly.
Individuals and institutions responsible for caring for people who are at risk for bedsores, such as the elderly and infirm, have a duty to follow certain protocols to help prevent a buildup of pressure on vulnerable areas of the body, such as the tailbone and back of the skull. Immobile individuals should be kept to a consistent turn or exercise schedule, for instance, to maintain blood flow in the area.
When a caregiver fails to meet their duty of care, pressure sores can form on the skin of the neglected patient or resident. This lapse in proper care (known as negligence) can lead to nursing home neglect or abuse claims, medical malpractice cases, vicarious liability claims, wrongful death cases, and other legal actions in Las Cruces.
Seeking Justice for Your Bedsore Injury in Las Cruces
If you or your attorney can prove that your bedsore injury was the result of negligence, you can recover financial compensation to make up for related losses. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Present and future medical bills
- Emergency treatments or surgeries
- Follow-up care
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
Sadly, stage 3 and 4 bedsores can lead to fatal health complications and wrongful deaths. In this situation, surviving loved ones may be able to recover compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost inheritance, loss of consortium, and various other damages.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you are a bedsore injury victim or know someone who is, discuss the possibility of filing a personal injury claim against a negligent party in pursuit of justice and fair compensation. Call the Fine Law Firm at (505) 889-3463 or send us a message for a prompt callback. We offer free consultations with our highly experienced attorneys.