Leitner Varughese continues the fight for the victims of nursing home neglect and abuse by securing a $350,000 settlement on behalf of an 83 year-old woman who developed a Stage IV bed sore while residing at a Brooklyn nursing home.
Pressure sores, also known as "bed sores" or "decubitus ulcers", are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue largely caused by unrelieved pressure. Bed sores can range from superficial reddening of the skin to severe tissue damage which extends into the muscle and bone.
Stage IV involve the serious loss of skin, fat, and bone, tendon, or muscle tissue, with tissue damage sometimes extending far beyond view of the open wound, so that there are actually dead and damaged tissues laying beneath seemingly healthy skin surrounding the bed sore wound.
Leitner Varughese alleged that the Brooklyn nursing home failed to provide appropriate interventions to reduce the risk that the elderly resident would develop pressure-related skin breakdown.
Some interventions that nursing homes can implement in order to reduce the risk of developing bed sores are:
Shifting weight frequently. If the resident is in a wheelchair, shift weight about every 15 minutes. If in bed, re-position once an hour.
Use a specialty wheelchair, one which can relieve pressure.
Select cushions or a mattress that relieve pressure. Do not use doughnut cushions, as they can focus pressure on surrounding tissue.
Adjust the elevation of the bed. If the bed can be elevated at the head, raise it no more than 30 degrees. This helps prevent shearing.
Keep skin clean and dry, and limit the skin's exposure to moisture, urine and stool.
Protect the skin. Use plain talcum powder to protect skin at friction points. Apply lotion to dry skin. Change bedding and clothing frequently if needed.
Inspect the skin daily. Look closely at your skin daily for warning signs of a pressure sore.
These are just some of the many interventions that may be used by a nursing home to lessen the risk of skin breakdown.
The attorneys at Leitner Varughese are among New York’s most recognized and respected leaders in the area of nursing home abuse and negligence litigation. Both in and out of the courtroom, our attorneys are leading the charge to establish an environment where substandard care will not be tolerated. Having facilitated in the recovery of over $50 MILLION in nursing home verdicts and settlements on behalf of neglected residents and their families, the attorneys of Leitner Varughese continues to work tirelessly to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Neglect and abuse in the nursing home setting comes in many different forms. Know the signs:
Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers) Falls (resulting in serious injury) Malnutrition Dehydration Choking Incidents Medication Errors Loss of dignity Wrongful death
If you, a family member or a friend have been INJURED due to the neglect of others in a NURSING HOME, call Leitner Varughese at (855) LV LAW NY (855-585-2969), or visit our website at http://www.lvlawny.com.
