Pittsburgh Bedsores and Infection/Sepsis Lawyer

Bedsores Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores, start small. However, tiny ulcers can develop into more extensive open wounds and expose individuals to significant infections and sepsis before you know it. Unfortunately, individuals who are already vulnerable, such as nursing home residents, those in long-term care facilities, and people with physical disabilities, are most susceptible to bedsores, especially when their caregivers are negligent.

The Pittsburgh injury lawyers at Ainsman Levine, LLC, want to help you protect the ones you love from abuse and neglect and hold individuals responsible for their careless actions when those actions lead to preventable injuries and illnesses such as bedsores and infections. We tailor our legal advice and representation to your needs and the specifics of your unique situation. We want you to feel confident that you get personalized guidance every step of the legal journey.

If you believe that bedsores, infection, or sepsis occurred because of abuse, neglect, or the careless actions of another, contact our office today. You can speak with an experienced attorney who will review your situation, answer your questions, and offer legal options for pursuing compensation.

What Are Bedsores?

Pressure ulcers, or bedsores, are skin and surrounding tissue injuries caused by persistent pressure on one area of the body. When constant pressure gets applied to one body area, it restricts blood flow, damaging the skin and surrounding tissue. Over time, the skin and tissue can deteriorate, causing open wounds and, eventually, tissue death.

While most bedsores occur because of constant pressure, they can also occur due to friction when skin rubs against clothing or bedding, especially when someone shifts their weight or a caregiver moves a patient.

Pressure ulcers can occur nearly anywhere on the body’s surface but are most common on:

• Heals
• Hips
• Ankles
• Behind the knees
• Tailbone
• Spine
• Buttocks
• Shoulder blades
• Back or sides of the head
• Back of the arms and legs

Older adults, bedridden individuals, and those with physical disabilities who require a wheelchair are at an increased risk of developing bedsores. Generally, these individuals require assistance moving or adjusting their positions. When a caregiver neglects the needs of vulnerable individuals and does not help them change positions regularly, body weight can limit blood flow and lead to sores. Bedsore prevention always starts with carefully monitoring vulnerable individuals and frequent position changes.

Bedsore Severity

Many people think bedsores are minor injuries. Unfortunately, what may start as a small wound can develop into a significant and festering open wound without proper care and treatment. The wound stages of bedsores are:

• Stage One – A stage one pressure ulcer appears as a blemish, sore, or discolored skin area. The skin may look red or pink and be tender or sensitive to touch. The skin is not broken at this stage, and there is no open wound.
• Stage Two – Stage two bedsores can still appear pink or red. However, some skin loss, abrasions, irritation, and blisters may also occur. These are minor open wounds that can be painful.
• Stage Three – Stage three bedsores can appear crater-like and may leave deep depressions in the skin and surrounding tissue. These wounds can affect not only the skin but also the surrounding deep tissues.
• Stage Four – The most significant form of pressure ulcer, stage four bedsores can penetrate all skin and surrounding tissue layers, and the open wound can expose bones, muscles, and tendons. Stages three and four bedsores can result in tissue death and devastating medical complications.

Older adults and vulnerable individuals who develop bedsores because of neglect or abuse are at risk of developing severe open wounds and other medical complications. If a caregiver cannot take the necessary steps to prevent bedsores, they may be unlikely to take the necessary steps to treat the wounds and prevent further damage.

How Do Bedsores Cause Infection?

One of the most significant medical complications that can come from untreated bedsores is infection. Open wounds expose the body to bacteria, giving these organisms easy access to the body. When bacteria multiply, they can cause an infection.

The immune system can target most bacteria and fight back in healthy people. However, in older adults or individuals with existing health problems or disabilities, their immune systems may be weak and unable to fight back and control the growth and spread of harmful bacteria and viruses.

Open wounds like bedsores can lead to cellulitis, an infection of the skin and soft tissues. This skin infection can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness and may lead to bruising and blisters. The wound may also ooze pus. The condition also triggers pain, fever, and chills as the body attempts to fight the bacteria. Treatment typically involves antibiotics.

Severe pressure ulcers can also lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to an infection. The immune system is supposed to fight foreign invaders like bacteria. However, when the body is fighting an infection and becomes overwhelmed, it can trigger sepsis, an extreme reaction to infection where the immune system stops fighting the foreign bacteria and instead turns on normal tissue and organs. Sepsis can lead to widespread inflammation and cause an abnormal chain reaction in the body where blood clots form, reducing blood flow through the body, especially organs and other vital tissues.

Sepsis is life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention. Statistics indicate that 1.7 million adults in the U.S. develop sepsis each year, which causes nearly 350,000 deaths. Treatment for sepsis typically involves broad-spectrum antibiotics and IV fluids. Depending on the severity of the condition, extracorporeal therapies, similar to dialysis and mechanical ventilation, and other therapies and drugs, may be needed to stabilize an individual.

Do You Need a Bedsore and Infection Attorney?

Severe bedsores are typically the result of substandard care, whether from medical practitioners, nursing home staff, or caregivers. They are one sign that a loved one may be suffering from abuse or neglect, especially if they are living in a nursing home or long-term care facility.

Significant bedsores shouldn’t be able to form with proper caregiving and patient moving techniques. With immediate and appropriate treatment and wound care, minor bedsores should never reach stage three or four, where they can wreak havoc on the body and expose an individual to infection or sepsis.

If you or a family member suffers severe bedsores, infection, or sepsis, and you believe the careless actions of a caregiver or another party are to blame, it is time to talk to a skilled Pittsburgh injury attorney. At Ainsman Levine, LLC, our legal team focuses on results that matter. To us, that means pursuing justice and building a case that gives you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.

If you need a bedsore and infection attorney, contact our office now. We dedicate our practice to aggressively protecting your rights and offering effective legal representation. Let us review your situation and outline your potential options for seeking compensation.

Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Attorney for Comprehensive Legal Representation

The Ainsman Levine, LLC, team knows this is a frightening and overwhelming time for you. We want to give you the legal advice and moral support you deserve. Let us put you and your family first.

We aim to get results that change the lives of the people we represent. Contact our office today to arrange a free consultation to discuss your case.