Albuquerque Bedsores Lawyers
Discovering that your loved one has developed bedsores while in nursing home care can be devastating and infuriating. When facilities fail to provide adequate attention and medical care, residents suffer unnecessarily.
At The Law Office of Salazar, Sullivan & Jasionowski, we have fought for victims of nursing home negligence throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico since 1997. Our experienced attorneys understand the emotional toll that bedsores place on families and work tirelessly to hold negligent facilities accountable while pursuing maximum compensation.
What Are Bedsores, And What Do They Look Like?
Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, are wounds that develop when sustained pressure cuts off blood flow to skin and tissue. These injuries typically form over bony areas like the tailbone, hips, heels and elbows. Early-stage bedsores may appear as red, warm areas, while advanced cases can develop into deep, infected wounds.
If you suspect your loved one has developed bedsores, document the condition with photographs and request immediate medical attention.
What Are The Causes Of Bedsores In Nursing Homes?
Contributing factors in nursing homes include several preventable issues:
- Insufficient staffing levels leading to inadequate patient monitoring
- Inadequate training on proper repositioning techniques
- Poor nutrition and dehydration affecting skin health
- Failure to follow established care protocols
- Lack of specialized mattresses or cushions for high-risk patients
Prevention requires regular position changes, proper hygiene, adequate nutrition and specialized equipment to reduce pressure points.
How Severe Are Bedsores In New Mexico?
Medical professionals classify bedsores into four distinct stages based on severity:
- Stage 1: Nonblanching redness on intact skin
- Stage 2: Partial skin loss with shallow open wounds
- Stage 3: Full-thickness skin loss extending into fat tissue
- Stage 4: Extensive tissue damage exposing muscle, tendon or bone
Advanced stages can lead to life-threatening complications, including sepsis and bone infections that require immediate medical intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions families have about bedsores and nursing home negligence.
Are bedsores always a sign of negligence or abuse?
While bedsores can develop despite proper care in high-risk patients, their presence often indicates inadequate attention or nursing home negligence. Facilities have a duty to implement prevention protocols.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for nursing home negligence in New Mexico?
New Mexico typically allows three years from the discovery of nursing home negligence to file a lawsuit.
Get The Justice Your Loved One Deserves
If your family member has suffered from bedsores due to nursing home negligence in Albuquerque, contact our skilled lawyers for a free consultation. Call 505-349-4003 today or submit our online contact form to get in touch with us.