KBA Attorneys started as a nursing home abuse attorney firm. Partner Reza Davani joined the firm to change how lawyers handled nursing home abuse lawsuits, particularly bedsores cases.
After a couple verdicts and winning Maryland Trial Lawyer of the year for his record-setting bedsore jury verdict, we became Ketterer, Browne & Davani, LLC (KBD Attorneys) and expanded our practice to help bedsore victims beyond Maryland.
Contact us now for a free case evaluation! 855-KBA-LAWS (522-5297) or email the Nursing Home Team at NursingHome@kbaattorneys.com.
KBD Nursing Home Abuse Attorney for Nursing Home Bedsores
KBA Attorneys’ partner and trial lawyer Reza Davani leads our nursing home practice. He works with trial lawyer, Lauren Henry. Reza, Lauren, and team – Paralegals Lisa and Angela – all share a passion for client-centered service and diligent case workup.
They recently obtained a $1.5 million dollar verdict in Baltimore. The case involved a nursing home that allowed a stage IV bed sore to ultimately kill the victim resident.
It was a difficult case, much like one six months earlier where Reza secured a 9-million-dollar verdict. In that nursing home bed sore case, Reza litigated aggressively to uncover misconduct and show the jury how the nursing home’s failure to turn and position the patient caused his death.
Each case is different. These past records do not assure we will be successful reaching a favorable result in any future case. Instead, please continue learning more about nursing home cases, and contact us today to discuss the specifics of your experience to see how we can help. With nursing home abuse lawyer Christopher Somerville joining the team recently, KBD is ready to take more cases to justice.
Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyer
Some of the most common elements of nursing home lawsuits are bedsores, pressure ulcers, and malnutrition. In many cases, nursing home bedsores result from neglect and improper care. When bedsores do occur, they can be treated, but they grow much worse when the nursing home staff fails to properly care for the wound.
Families of seniors who develop either of these injuries at a nursing facility can retain a nursing home abuse attorney. More specifically, a nursing home bedsore lawyer can file a nursing home abuse lawsuit against the facility. The family may be able to receive financial compensation. This includes economic and non economic damages. Some states like Maryland cap how much families can recover; therefore, it is imperative to retain a nursing home bedsore attorney who will litigate to uncover compelling evidence and fight for the best result.
What are Bedsores?
Also known as pressure sores, decubitus ulcers, or pressure ulcers, bedsores are damaged skin and tissues caused by excessive and prolonged pressure on the skin. Bedsores are most likely to develop around the areas of the body where the bone is closer to the skin, such as the tailbone, back, heels, ankles, elbows, shoulder blades, and hips. Nursing home residents who are unable to move on their own while bedridden or confined to a wheelchair are at a high risk of bedsores. If left untreated, bedsores can become life-threatening.
Stages of Bedsores
Once a resident develops a pressure ulcer, there are steps necessary to care for the bedsores. Each facility will have policies on how to treat bedsores that include changing bandages and cleaning out the wounds. It is important to understand the different stages of bedsores when performing treatments. There are four stages of pressure ulcers, and when they reach Stage IV, they represent a dire threat to life and limb. The four stages of pressure ulcers are as follows:
- Stage I – The skin is intact, but may be red and warm to the touch. When a pressure ulcer is caught at this stage, it is treatable with diligent care and is not a long-term threat to the patient.
- Stage II – Some skin loss is apparent and the pressure ulcers look like a blister or an abrasion. This will likely go away, but it may take around a week.
- Stage III – This severe pressure ulcer may look crater-like with some puss. When a pressure ulcer progresses to this stage, there is a much higher risk of an infection and it requires intensive care so that it can heal in one to four months.
- Stage IV – This is the most serious type of pressure ulcer where the wound is so deep that bone may be visible. Bedsores usually progress to this level when they are not properly treated. Nearly all successful bedsore lawsuits involve Stage IV pressure ulcers. These are the bedsores that become infected and can lead to sepsis. The severity of these bedsores can lead to death.
Eventually, if left untreated, bedsores can lead to sepsis. There are numerous cases each year where nursing home residents die from infections that resulted from untreated bedsores. Needless to say, residents never need to die from infected bedsores, and if this happens, a family will have grounds for a lawsuit against the nursing home.
Causes of Bedsores
There are two main causes of bedsores:
Prolonged and Excessive Pressure
Nursing home residents who remain in the same position or who are unable to walk are vulnerable to developing bedsores. Pressure applied to the skin for a long time makes it vulnerable to breakdown. This can happen when a senior is sitting in a wheelchair all day long or lays in bed for large parts of the day. When lying or sitting for an excessive amount of time, the body’s tissue compresses. This compression cuts off the circulation of blood flow and deprives the tissue of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
It is critical for patients to be moved – turned and repositioned. If not, bedsores or pressure ulcers arise. They led to infection and ultimately death.
Friction and Shearing
Friction and shearing damage can occur when a resident’s skin rubs against an object such as bedding or clothing. The surface of a chair or a mattress will irritate skin that is already breaking down. As seniors age, their skin condition deteriorates and makes them more susceptible to blistering and other skin damage.
When moving residents with limited mobility, nursing home staff may be too aggressive or careless and cause damage to the fragile skin of the elderly residents. Bedsores will develop if the skin is damaged during the moving process.
Negligent Nursing Homes Cause Bedsores
Nursing home bedsores occur when nursing homes have staff members who are not properly trained or when facilities simply do not have enough staff to properly tend to their residents. Providing attentive care requires a sufficient number of certified nursing assistants. However, to increase profits, nursing homes may sacrifice adequate staffing. As more nursing homes are acquired by large chains, there is increased pressure to maximize profits at the expense of care. This type of nursing home negligence is widespread throughout the United States.
To avoid bedsores, the nursing home staff in Maryland must reposition its residents frequently to make sure that the same part of the skin is not continually pressed against a surface. Changing positions ensures that parts of the skin get air as opposed to being compressed against a potentially dirty surface. This should be done every two hours in order to prevent skin breakdown. Some signs of bedsores that nursing staff should be looking out for include:
- Open wounds
- Reddish or discolored skin
- Swelling
- Tender skin
Nursing home staff are also required to keep residents well-fed and hydrated to avoid malnutrition. Studies have found that malnutrition, common among the elderly, has a major impact on the prevalence of bedsores.
Bed Sores and Nursing Home Neglect: Can You Sue for Pressure Ulcers?
Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are a serious yet preventable condition affecting patients in hospitals and nursing homes. If a loved one has developed severe bed sores due to neglect, legal action may be necessary to hold the facility accountable.
At KBD, our nursing home abuse attorney will obtain medical records and develop a damages case by working with the family empathetically. We will retain a team of medical experts to prove liability. Using our unique strategies drawing on years of experience and honed expertise, we will file a nursing home lawsuit. Our nursing home abuse lawyer will pry the evidence from the other side. As necessary, we will take the nursing home to trial to ger justice.
Again, What Causes Bed Sores?
Bed sores develop when prolonged pressure on the skin restricts blood flow, leading to tissue damage. The most common causes include:
- Neglect in repositioning patients who are bedridden or wheelchair-bound
- Poor hygiene and failure to keep the skin clean and dry
- Malnutrition and dehydration, weakening the skin’s ability to heal
- Failure to provide pressure-relieving devices, such as special mattresses or cushions
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
If your loved one has developed severe pressure ulcers, this could be a sign of negligence. Warning signs include:
- Open wounds or blisters on bony areas (hips, heels, back)
- Unexplained weight loss or dehydration
- Lack of medical attention to worsening sores
- Complaints of pain or discomfort ignored by staff
Can You Sue for Bed Sores?
Yes. If a facility failed to prevent or properly treat pressure ulcers, you may have grounds for a nursing home negligence lawsuit if you do so within the statute of limitations, which varies by state. A nursing home abuse attorney may obtain compensation may cover:
- Medical treatments and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of a loved one (nursing home wrongful death)
- Wrongful death damages if bed sores contributed to a fatal outcome
At KBD Attorneys, we have recovered millions for victims of nursing home abuse and medical negligence. Each case is different and prior results do not guarantee future results, so contact us today for a free consultation.
Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Fighting to Remedy Bedsores
Bedsores and malnutrition are devastating consequences of nursing home neglect. At Ketterer, Browne & Davani, LLC (KBD Attorneys), we hold negligent facilities accountable. Our team has secured significant trial verdicts in Maryland. Our bedsore lawyer can represent families in Philadelphia, Florida, Boston, Raleigh, and Washington, D.C., among others. We bring our expertise, experience, and unique strategies to other states with local counsel.
Understanding Bedsores in Nursing Homes
Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, develop due to prolonged pressure on the skin. These wounds are entirely preventable when nursing homes follow proper care protocols. Failure to do so is nursing home negligence, and families have the right to pursue legal action.
Common Causes of Bedsores in Elderly Residents
- Lack of repositioning bedridden or wheelchair-bound residents
- Inadequate staffing leading to neglect
- Poor hygiene and moisture buildup
- Malnutrition and dehydration, which weaken skin integrity
Stages of Bedsores
- Stage 1: Red or discolored skin, but unbroken
- Stage 2: Open sore with possible blistering
- Stage 3: Deep tissue loss, exposing fat
- Stage 4: Severe wounds exposing muscle or bone, often leading to life-threatening infections
If your loved one has developed stage 3 or stage 4 pressure ulcers, they may have suffered severe nursing home neglect. Call our our nursing home abuse attorney today to hold negligent facilities accountable – 855 KBA-LAWS (522-5297) or email the bedsore lawyer at NursingHome@KBAattorneys.com.
Bedsore Injury Lawsuits
Bedsores and malnutrition are prime examples of nursing home negligence. Most cases of pressure ulcers and malnutrition involve nursing homes failing to provide the care that was promised to residents. This failure of care is something that is legally actionable in court, and there are hundreds of cases across the country each year that either result in a jury award for the family of the resident or a settlement.
In some cases, when the facts are egregious enough, juries may even assess punitive damages against the nursing home.
A family in Augusta, GA filed a wrongful death lawsuit against PruittHealth after a woman allegedly died from a severe bedsore. The family claims that the lack of care by the nursing home resulted in a stage four bedsore and the death of Laura Bulloch. Similar reported complaints from other families of residents at PruittHealth were also found.
A nursing home negligence lawsuit filed in June 2015 ended with a $1.2 million settlement awarded to a woman who was not given proper care for her bedsores. Newfane Rehab & Health Care Center was accused of failing to prevent the woman’s bedsores from getting worse.
KBA Attorneys is now KBD Attorneys: Proven Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
At KBD Attorneys, we aggressively litigate cases against nursing homes that fail to provide adequate care. Our firm is committed to becoming the leading Philadelphia nursing home attorney team, leveraging our trial experience and legal expertise to protect vulnerable residents.
Why choose KBD Attorneys to be your nursing home abuse attorney?</strong>
- Successful trial verdicts in nursing home negligence cases
- A dedicated Pennsylvania lawyer with experience in Philadelphia courts
- Lawyers in Boston, Florida, Raleigh, and Washington, D.C. (coming this summer)
- Empathetic legal teams who know how to support families through this difficult time
- No fees unless we win your case
Get a Free Nursing Home Neglect Consultation
If your loved one suffered from bed sores, pressure wound, pressure ulcer, or a fall in a nursing home, contact KBD Attorneys today. Our experienced Maryland nursing home abuse lawyers, Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers, Boston Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers, North Carolina nursing home lawyers, Florida nursing home lawyers will fight for justice and maximum compensation. If we’re not licensed in your state, we will work with a local attorney so you can benefit from our expertise and award-winning experience.
Contact us now for a free case evaluation! 855-KBA-LAWS (522-5297) or email the Nursing Home Team at NursingHome@kbaattorneys.com.
Malnutrition in Nursing Homes
Bedsores are not the only negligence-related injury that a senior may endure at a nursing home. As bedsores are indicative of an overall lack of care, other injuries and conditions will likely be present at the same time. Nursing home malnutrition is a condition that is commonly present with residents suffering from bedsores. When a senior is not consuming the proper nutrients, their overall health and physical condition will suffer.
Nursing homes have several regulatory obligations when it comes to feeding their residents. The staff cannot simply place a plate of food in front of the resident and hope that they will eat it. Instead, a resident’s diet is something that requires proper planning and implementation. Here are some of the nursing home’s responsibilities in this regard:
- Each nursing home must have a trained and registered dietitian on staff who must oversee the diet of each resident.
- Individual diets should their specific needs. While the nursing home may serve the same food to many residents, if a resident cannot tolerate that type of food, the nursing home must provide them a suitable option.
- If the senior is having difficulty eating a particular type of food, the staff must take measures such as cutting the food into smaller pieces and feeding it to them.
- The nursing home staff must ensure that residents are eating and monitor their food intake.
- Nursing homes will be penalized by inspectors if residents lose a certain percentage of their body weight. The facility must intervene if they notice that the resident is losing weight. To the extent necessary, the facility should supplement the resident’s diet with a nutritional additive to preserve the resident’s body weight.
Malnutrition impacts a senior in many harmful ways and can cause many injuries. Injuries relating to malnutrition include bedsores, loss of cognitive functions and mobility, and organ failure.
Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Homes
Malnutrition and dehydration significantly increase the risk of bed sores, infections, and organ failure. Nursing homes are responsible for ensuring residents receive adequate nutrition.
Signs of Malnutrition and Dehydration in Nursing Homes
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dry skin and lips
- Fatigue and weakness
- Cognitive decline
- Frequent infections and slow wound healing
Contact a Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyer Today
The nursing home abuse lawyers at KBD Attorneys strive to ensure that nursing homes have to answer for what they have done. If your loved suffered a physical injury such as bedsores, broken bones, or a brain injury in a nursing home, contact us to see if we can obtain financial compensation.
Filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit requires aggressive and skilled counsel. Nursing home bedsores and malnutrition lawyers at KBD Attorneys have years of combined experience in handling nursing home negligence cases.
Contact us now for a free case evaluation from our nursing home abuse attorney! 855-KBA-LAWS (522-5297) or email the Nursing Home Team at NursingHome@kbaattorneys.com.
References
- Mayo Clinic. “Bedsores (pressure ulcers)”, Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bed-sores/symptoms-causes/syc-20355893. Accessed July 10, 2019.
- Healthline. “What You Should Know About Decubitus Ulcers”, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/pressure-ulcer#outlook. Accessed July 10, 2019.
- Sarah Lyon. “What to Do If Your Loved One Develops a Bedsore in a Nursing Home”, Verywell Health, https://www.verywellhealth.com/bedsore-in-a-nursing-home-3861403. Accessed July 10, 2019.
- The Commonwealth Fund. “Malnutrition And Dehydration Plague Nursing Home Residents”, The Commonwealth Fund, https://www.commonwealthfund.org/press-release/2000/malnutrition-and-dehydration-plague-nursing-home-residents. Accessed July 10, 2019.
- WebMD. “What Are the Stages of Pressure Sores?”, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/pressure-sores-4-stages#1. Accessed July 10, 2019.
Contact Us
Contact us now for a free case evaluation! 855-KBA-LAWS (522-5297) or email the Nursing Home Team at NursingHome@kbaattorneys.com.