Untreated Decubitus Ulcer Causes Death

Our medical negligence lawyers represent hospital patients and nursing home residents who develop bed sores and decubitus ulcers. The conditions are usually completely avoidable and only develop because the medical staff failed to take the necessary precautions to prevent them from occurring.  Even patients who are at high risk for these sores due to their medical conditions should rarely ever get them with appropriate care and treatment.

Bed sores and decubitus ulcers that are not timely identified and go untreated can lead to a sepsis infection. Sepsis is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria. When undiagnosed or untreated, sepsis can lead to serious medical conditions, including organ shut down, and even death.

The medical staff has the obligation to properly assess a patient for the risk of developing a bed sore and then implement a plan to reduce the risk and prevent it from occurring.  This can be accomplished by using a specialized mattress, turning the patient on a regular schedule, bathing the patient, and providing proper nutrition.  If a decubitus ulcer does develop, the hospital or nursing home facility must implement proper treatment to prevent it from worsening to the point where it becomes uncontrollable.  Quite often, a wound care specialist is called in to treat the sore.

Unfortunately, many times the medical staff fails to prevent the ulcer from developing and fails to treat it in a timely manner. Too often, by the time aggressive treatment is started it is too late to prevent significant harm or even death. These are tragic results from a preventable condition.

If your loved one suffered a decubitus ulcer in a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation facility that should have been prevented, you can pursue a medical negligence case against that facility. In cases involving death, the surviving family members can pursue a Wrongful Death Lawsuit.  These lawsuits seek compensation for the pain and suffering of the patient prior to death, medical expenses, and the loss of companionship suffered by the surviving family members.

We will represent you in your case under our NO FEE PROMISE. This means that you will not be charged any legal fees whatsoever unless we obtain a settlement or recovery for you. You have absolutely no obligation for legal fees unless we win your case. If we do not obtain a settlement for you, you owe us nothing!

If you lost a family member due to neglect in a Michigan hospital or nursing home, you  should contact the law firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C.  immediately. Call us now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys to get started on your case.