Riverside Pressure Ulcers Injury Lawyer

Pressure Ulcers Injury Attorney in Riverside, CA

There are many reputable nursing homes in the Riverside area, such as The Grove Care and Wellness and the Valencia Gardens Health Care Center. While most of these facilities provide compassionate daily care to their residents, some unfortunately fail in their responsibility to prevent residents from developing pressure ulcers. If your elderly family member developed this condition, you should consult a Riverside pressure ulcers injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Pressure Ulcer Claims in Riverside, CA

The attorneys at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen have decades of experience handling some of the most challenging nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Riverside, including those pertaining to pressure ulcers. A pressure ulcer develops when a bedridden patient is not repositioned correctly on a regular basis. The pressure of remaining in the same position for too long gradually develops into an ulcer that could become infected, threatening their life.

As of 2023, about 14% of Californians over the age of 60 struggled with independent living, and nursing homes and other assisted living facilities provide a crucial service to older individuals in this situation. Unfortunately, when nursing home staff fail to address their residents’ daily needs, this can have life-threatening effects.

Building a Nursing Home Injury Case for Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers, commonly called bedsores, are classified in stages based on severity. Stage one pressure ulcers are sometimes overlooked, but they can quickly worsen without immediate intervention. Left unchecked, these pressure ulcers worsen rapidly. At Stage four, the ulcer will have penetrated entirely through the skin, potentially exposing and damaging underlying tissues. In some extreme cases, bone can be exposed.

Once a pressure ulcer has reached an advanced stage, it can be very difficult and expensive to treat. The patient will require constant monitoring, advanced wound care, and antibiotic support to prevent infection. The ulcer can be extremely painful and further limit the mobility of a nursing home resident who may already be struggling with limited mobility.

Your Riverside pressure ulcers injury lawyer at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen can help you build a case against your elderly loved one’s nursing home if your family member developed this condition because of negligence. Success with this case may require various types of evidence that you do not know how to obtain on your own, so working with seasoned legal counsel is crucial for your success.

Your attorney could seek care logs from the nursing home, which are supposed to include timestamped records of when residents are repositioned, as well as medical event reports that log any notable changes in residents’ medical conditions. Your attorney can also verify whether the victim was receiving appropriate nutritional support and timely medication doses. Evidence could also show whether wound care was arranged immediately once the ulcer was confirmed.

Our team will help you build a comprehensive personal injury claim and seek as much compensation as possible for the resulting damages. In some of these cases, nursing homes may face penalties for failure to ensure proper staff training or failure to follow regulations set forth by the California Code of Regulations. You have a short time to build this case, so reach out to Belgum, Fry & Van Allen as soon as possible to learn how we can assist you.

FAQs

Can You Sue a Nursing Home for a Pressure Ulcer?

Yes, you may have grounds to sue a nursing home for a pressure ulcer. Nursing homes are required to prevent their residents from developing pressure ulcers by regularly repositioning bedridden residents, providing appropriate nutrition and hydration, and addressing medical complications promptly. A Riverside pressure ulcers injury lawyer can help you build a case if your elderly loved one’s nursing home team failed to meet their responsibilities.

What Damages Can You Claim in a Pressure Ulcer Claim in Riverside?

The damages you could claim in a pressure ulcer claim in Riverside include any economic losses related to the pressure ulcer, as well as compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering. Economic damages in these cases typically include all medical expenses related to the treatment of the ulcer, family members’ lost income, and any other financial losses resulting from the incident. Your attorney can estimate the full potential value of this case.

Are There Penalties for Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Homes in California?

Yes, there could be penalties for pressure ulcers in nursing homes in California as the state enforces strict rules meant to prevent nursing home residents from developing these wounds. California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act also allows victims and their families to pursue additional compensation when they can prove that any harm done in a nursing home was reckless or otherwise beyond the scope of typical negligence.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Pressure Ulcer Claim in Riverside?

The time it could take to settle a pressure ulcer claim in Riverside depends on several variables. If you hire a pressure ulcers injury lawyer as soon as possible, they have more time to gather evidence and prepare a comprehensive claim. If a defendant accepts liability and agrees to negotiate a settlement outside of court, this will usually take far less time to complete than litigation. Your attorney can estimate your case’s most likely timetable.

Why Should I Hire a Pressure Ulcers Injury Lawyer?

You should hire a pressure ulcers injury lawyer to increase your chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. Even if the situation appears straightforward, you may encounter various unexpected complications that you will not know how to resolve without an attorney’s help. You are more likely to prove liability for your elderly loved one’s injury and more likely to secure appropriate compensation with a skilled attorney representing you.

The team at Belgum, Fry & Van Allen has extensive experience handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases in Riverside and the surrounding areas of California. If your elderly loved one developed a pressure ulcer due to negligence in their nursing home, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Riverside pressure ulcers injury lawyer you can trust with your case.