Bedsores (also known as decubitus ulcers, pressure sores, or pressure ulcers) are open flesh wounds that develop from lying or sitting in the same position for prolonged periods. Wounds can easily become infected if left unattended. As a result, bedsores can be fatal if untreated, particularly for those with compromised health or vulnerable immune systems.
Developing bed sores at an inpatient facility or while in the care of a long-term care facility or nursing home is unacceptable. It often takes weeks or months to develop bedsores, meaning bedsores are caused by a pattern of neglect and treatment that consistently falls well below the acceptable standard of care for a healthcare facility.
If you or a loved one developed bedsore in a hospital or other type of healthcare/assisted living facility, we encourage you to contact our West Palm Beach bedsore lawyers for a free evaluation of your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to pursue compensation for the harm you suffered.
Clark, Fountain, Littky-Rubin & Whitman handles bedsore and other medical negligence cases throughout the state of Florida from an office in West Palm Beach. Our experienced team does not charge a fee unless they win their client’s case.
The Stages & Symptoms of Bedsores
Bedsores usually happen at the points of the body where the bones protrude to the surface. This includes the hips, shoulders, spine, and head. However, bedsores can appear anywhere the patient has prolonged pressure. Some bedsores do not meet the normal symptom requirements—for example, deep tissue sores will not break the skin. Instead, it will appear as a deep and mushy bruise. If you see this on yourself or a loved one, seek medical attention immediately.
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Bedsores come in 4 stages, with specific symptoms unique to each stage:
- Stage I — No open wound. The skin on the area is warm and red, but hardened. Pressure will not change its color like healthy skin would.
- Stage II — The skin begins to break, wear away, or form blisters and ulcers. It may form a small opening that will still be shallow. It will continue to be sore and painful.
- Stage III — The ulcer will deepen, eating all the way through the skin. Some of the fat layers underneath the skin will be visible.
- Stage IV — The sore has eaten all the way through to the bone and tendons. At this stage, the patient is at risk for severe bone infection and blood infection, or sepsis.
Reach Out to Our West Palm Beach Bedsore Lawyers
If you or a family member has suffered at the hands of a negligent and abusive medical staff, you deserve justice. Let Clark Fountain represent your case. We have more than 200 years of experience holding the largest, most negligent organizations and companies accountable for their treatment of patients, and we’ve helped clients receive more than over a Billion dollars in compensation.
Our West Palm Beach bedsore attorneys serve injured patients throughout Florida and are board-certified and Nancy La Vista is certified by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys in medical malpractice. Board-certified means the Florida State Bar has recognized us as legal specialists in what we do. We are dedicated to handling cases that are too complex or too difficult for other attorneys to handle, and we guide you through the entire process as your partners and advocates. Let us fight for your dignity, your medical care, and your financial security.
REACH OUT TO OUR ATTORNEYS TODAY IN A FREE LEGAL CONSULT—CALL 561-899-2100, AND WE CAN SHOW YOU YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS QUICKLY AND EASILY.