Stages of Pressure Ulcers | Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers

Our nursing home neglect lawyers in Michigan at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. represent victims in all types of nursing home cases such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, abandonment, and even neglect. Pressure ulcers, a form of physical abuse, are a common cause of neglect that is caused when there is a prolonged pressure on an area of the body. They are common among the sick, elderly, disabled, and others who have difficultly moving themselves. The pressure from prolonged amount of time sitting or lying in the same position begins to cut off the supply of blood to an area of the body.

This form of nursing home neglect is completely preventable with the use of proper care for the patient, treatment, and monitoring. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2004 nearly 159,000 seniors in nursing homes had a pressure ulcer resulting from patient neglect. Research also showed that 35 percent of nursing home residents that had a pressure ulcer had obtained stage 2 or greater.

There are different stages of pressure ulcers. These states include:

Stage One: Persistent redness of the skin

Stage Two: Loss of partial thickness of skin appearing as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater

Stage Three: Loss of full thickness of skin presented in a deep crater

Stage Four:  Loss of full thickness of skin exposing muscle or bone

Patients who suffer bedsores and pressure ulcers at a nursing home or in other medical care facilities do have legal rights. These injuries and conditions are completely preventable with proper nursing practices and medical supervision.

Victims, or their family members, should contact our office immediately to discuss their case. Call our office now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with one of our experienced Michigan nursing home abuse lawyers about your case.  We will represent you under our No Fee Promise, meaning you do not pay any legal fees until we win or settle your case.