Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer
LARGEST FLORIDA BED SORE SETTLEMENT – A CASE OF HOSPITAL ACQUIRED PRESSURE ULCER Although we have represented many patients who suffered the development and worsening of pressure ulcers in the…
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The Orlando and Casselberry medical malpractice attorneys at Warner & Warner have extensive experience fighting for the rights of injured victims suffering from pressure ulcers. We are dedicated to holding negligent healthcare practitioners responsible for the damages they cause and want to make sure you are justly compensated for all of your injuries. Pressure ulcers, commonly referred to as bedsores, can cause serious long-lasting injury to a victim. If you are looking for pressure ulcer attorneys who understand the physical and emotional toll of these injuries, give us a call so we can talk about your case immediately.
Recent data indicates that pressure injuries continue to be a significant concern in U.S. healthcare. Each year, more than 2.5 million individuals in the United States develop pressure ulcers. The incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) varies, with studies reporting rates between 2.5% and 3.2% from 2013 to 2019. Furthermore, reports indicate that up to 60,000 Americans die each year due to complications from these preventable sores.
Why Do You Need to Hire a Pressure Ulcer Lawyer?
If you or a member of your family developed pressure ulcers while being cared for in a hospital, in a long-term care facility, or by other healthcare professionals, you may be able to hold the negligent parties accountable and collect compensation for your physical injuries, as well as your pain, suffering, and other losses. It is your right, and the experienced bedsore lawyers at Warner & Warner are here to help guide you every step of the way.
Why Choose Us as Your Hospital Injury Lawyer
Hospital injuries can have serious and lasting consequences, and you need a bedsore attorney who can navigate complex medical and legal issues. Our team combines in-depth medical knowledge with strong legal advocacy to protect your rights.
- Expertise in medical negligence cases – we understand hospital protocols and how specific breaches of care lead to pressure injuries.
- Thorough review of medical records – we analyze every detail of the patient’s turning and repositioning logs to build a strong case.
- Skilled negotiation and litigation – we challenge hospitals and insurance companies to achieve settlements that reflect the true cost of your injuries.
- Client-centered approach – we provide personalized attention, keeping you informed throughout the entire legal process.
What Is a Pressure Ulcer?
You may not think of your skin as a living organ; however, it is the largest organ in your body. Like all organs, your skin needs a constant flow of blood to survive. If that blood flow is impaired or stopped, the living tissue that is part of your skin will die. The resulting wound may become a pressure ulcer if it occurs over a bony prominence—an area where not much tissue separates bone from muscle, such as your elbows, tailbone, hip bone, or shoulder blades.
People who are confined to a bed are particularly susceptible to developing bedsores because they are often unable to move or change positions without help. If caregivers fail to provide that much-needed assistance to move, or if a patient remains in a prone position for an extended period, pressure ulcers can quickly occur and become life-threatening.
Stages of Pressure Ulcers
Stage 1 – Non-Blanchable Erythema of Intact Skin
This stage involves intact skin with a localized area of non-blanchable erythema, which may appear differently in darkly pigmented skin. The presence of blanchable erythema or changes in sensation, temperature, or firmness may precede visual changes. Color changes do not include purple or maroon discoloration, as these may indicate deep tissue pressure injury.
Stage 2 – Partial-Thickness Skin Loss with Exposed Dermis
This stage involves partial-thickness loss of skin with exposed dermis. The wound bed is viable, pink or red, and moist, and may also present as an intact or ruptured serum-filled blister. Adipose (fat) and deeper tissues are not visible, and granulation tissue, slough, and eschar are not present. These injuries commonly result from adverse microclimate and shear in the skin over the pelvis and shear in the heel.
Stage 3 – Full-Thickness Skin Loss
In this stage, there is full-thickness loss of skin in which adipose (fat) is visible in the ulcer and granulation tissue and epibole (rolled wound edges) are often present. Slough and/or eschar may be visible. The depth of tissue damage varies by anatomical location; areas of significant adiposity can develop deep wounds. Undermining and tunneling may occur, but fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and/or bone are not exposed.
Stage 4 – Full-Thickness Skin and Tissue Loss
This advanced stage involves full-thickness skin and tissue loss with exposed or directly palpable fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, or bone in the ulcer. Slough and/or eschar may be visible, and epibole (rolled edges), undermining, and/or tunneling often occur. One should be especially careful about tunneling bedsores, as this version of a wound goes deep into the body and affects multiple layers, making it extremely difficult to heal.
Who Is Responsible When a Pressure Ulcer Occurs?
Bedsores are preventable when patients receive competent, consistent, and timely care. Unfortunately, something as seemingly simple as failing to turn and reposition a bed-ridden patient on a regular basis can limit blood flow and cause the skin to die. When caregivers fail to monitor and move patients as needed, the healthcare professionals and facilities responsible for providing that care may be held legally liable.
Identifying who is responsible is a complex process that requires the expertise of a dedicated bedsore lawyer to investigate. Potential at-fault parties often include:
- Hospitals
- Doctors
- Long-term care facilities and nursing homes
- Home healthcare agencies
- Nursing staff
What Compensation Is Possible for Pressure Ulcer Victims?
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence, a knowledgeable pressure ulcer attorney can help you take legal action against the facility and its staff. At Warner & Warner, we work tirelessly to hold negligent parties liable and obtain the financial compensation you deserve for both economic and non-economic damages.
This compensation for physical and emotional injuries may include payment for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anguish
- Diminished capacity to enjoy life
- Medical bills related specifically to the treatment of the bedsores
- Wrongful death damages if the ulcer led to fatal infections or sepsis
- Other relevant damages recoverable under Florida medical malpractice law.
When to Contact an Orlando or Casselberry Pressure Ulcer Lawyer
Do not waste time; a pressure ulcer can cause serious, even fatal, injuries that require immediate legal intervention. If you suffered injuries or lost a family member because of a bedsore, you may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. The Orlando and Casselberry pressure ulcer attorneys at Warner & Warner are dedicated to zealously advocating for the rights of victims.
Let us put our extensive experience, resources, and dedication to work for you. We have the specialized knowledge required to successfully prove and litigate negligence or medical malpractice lawsuits that stem from pressure injuries. Call us today at 321-972-1889 to schedule your free case review.
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