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PRESSURE ULCERS & BEDSORES


Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer reviewing injury cases for plaintiffs nationwide
Nationwide Success

Nursing Home Pressure Ulcers

investigating nursing home neglect & preventable injury cases

Pressure ulcers are localized damage to skin and the underlying soft tissue, typically over bony areas of the body. Bedsores occur as a result of intense or prolonged pressure against the skin that limits blood flow to the skin.

Three primary contributing factors for bedsores in nursing home patients are: Pressure, friction and shear (occurs when two surfaces move in the opposite direction). Constant pressure on any part of your body can lessen blood flow and deprive tissue of nutrients.

Major risk factors include immobility, a lack of sensory perception, Poor nutrition and hydration, and medical conditions affecting blood flow like diabetes and vascular disease.

Common Sites of Bedsores:

  • Tailbone or buttocks
  • Shoulder blades
  • Spine
  • Backs of arms and legs
  • Back or sides of head
  • Hips and lower back

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Cincinnati personal injury attorney and Ohio nursing home lawyer with experience reviewing pressure ulcers and other neglect injuries. Mr. Lyon has represented plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of Medical Negligence and pressure ulcer lawsuit claims.  

Common Stages of Pressure Ulcers

Bedsores and pressure ulcers are categorized into four stages, based on depth and severity, which include:

  • Stage I— Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin: a persistent redness, swelling and tenderness on a patient’s skin. Color changes do not include purple or maroon discoloration, which may indicate deep tissue pressure injury.
  • Stage II— Partial-thickness loss of skin with exposed dermis. a loss of some of skin thickness. Appears as a blister, abrasion or shallow crater. The wound bed is viable, pink or red.
  • Stage III—damage to the full thickness of the skin. A deep lesion or crater is present. Fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage and/or bone are not exposed.
  • Stage IV—a complete loss of the skin. Muscle or bone is exposed.
  • Unstageable Pressure Injury—obscured full-thickness skin and tissue loss.

Pressure Ulcer & Bedsores complications include:

  • Amputation
  • Sepsis
  • Cancer—unhealed wounds or non-healing wounds (Marjolin’s ulcers) can develop into squamous cell carcinoma
  • Cellulitis—Infection of the skin and soft tissues.
  • Bone and joint infections—Infections from a pressure ulcer can burrow into joints and bones. Septic arthritis can damage cartilage and tissue.

Legal Action Following Pressure Ulcers

Patients in Ohio spending a great deal of time in hospitals and nursing homes are at serious risk of developing injuries like bed sores due to improper care and negligence. Medical teams and nurses can contribute to the problem by prescribing improper medication, displaying a lack of supervision, contributing to malnutrition, inadequately cleaning wounds and ulcers, and delaying sending patients to hospitals.

Pressure sores and deep tissue injuries are almost always preventable. Nursing home and hospital neglect can lead to serious infection, amputations, and deaths. Medical centers and long-term care facilities throughout the country  can be held liable for injuries in a pressure ulcer lawsuit.

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

photo of attorney Joe Lyon REVIEWING PRESSURE ULCERS
A Voice for Those who have suffered

Why are these cases important?

The transition into a nursing home is difficult for both patients and their families. It is a sacrifice, and residents rely heavily on the compassion and competence of nursing home staff and management to provide the best care possible. When nursing homes fail to provide the professional care they promise, and injuries and deaths result, they may be held accountable by Ohio law.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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Questions about Nursing Home Neglect Cases

What is nursing home neglect litigation?

Nursing home neglect has been a serious issue for decades now, and the management of facilities must be held accountable when instances of negligence affect your family.

If an Ohio nursing home fails to provide the professional care they have advertised, and patient injuries and deaths result, the companies may be held responsible in Ohio courts. Large settlements have resulted from the families of victims filing injury claims against Diversicare, Genesis, ManorCare and Laurel homes.

What are common types of nursing home abuse?

Nursing home neglect injuries may result from understaffing, underqualified staff, bad management and poor communication. Abuse and neglect can result in dangerous bedsores and other serious infections. Common types of nursing home abuse may include:

Does a fall in the nursing home count?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates approximately 1,800 nursing home residents die from dangerous falls each year. Residents who survive falls may sustain hip or head injuries which can lead to permanent disabilities.

Because of the new surroundings and staff neglect, many newly admitted nursing home residents will suffer a fall shortly after their arrival. Understaffing is a big factor in these injuries, and the management of nursing homes have a responsibility to prevent falls and accidents.

Do nursing home injury cases settle?

Nursing homes tend to settle out of court when accidents and wrongful deaths occur, and you may seek legal counsel to guide you through the legal process. 

Why Hire the Lyon Firm?

Our Firm will help you find the answers.  The Firm has the experience, resources and dedication to take on difficult and emotional cases and help our clients obtain the justice for the wrong they have suffered. 

 Experience:  Joe Lyon is an experienced Cincinnati Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer. The Lyon Firm has 17 years of experience and success representing individuals and plaintiffs in all fifty states, and in a variety of complex civil litigation matters.   Nursing Home lawsuits can be complex and require industry experts to determine the root cause of an accident or injury. Mr. Lyon has worked with experts nationwide to assist individuals understand why an injury occurred and what can be done to improve their lives in the future. Some cases may go to a jury trial, though many others can be settled out of court.

Resources/Dedication: Mr. Lyon has worked with experts in the fields of accident reconstruction, biomechanics, epidemiology, metallurgy, pharmacology, toxicology, human factors, workplace safety, life care planning, economics, and virtually every medical discipline in successfully representing Plaintiffs across numerous areas of law. The Lyon Firm is dedicated to building the strongest cases possible for clients and their critical interests.

Results:  Mr. Lyon has obtained numerous seven and six figure results in personal injury,  automotive product liability, medical Negligence, construction accidents, and auto dealership negligence cases.  The cases have involved successfully litigating against some of  the largest companies in the world 

Your Right to Safety
Your Loved Ones Should Not Have to Suffer in Their Homes

The elderly population in nursing homes and assisted living facilities frequently suffer injuries like bedsores due to understaffing and neglect. Some underlying issues that lead to dangerous skin ulcers include improper medication, a lack of supervision, malnutrition, inadequate wound care, and a delay in sending patients to medical centers and hospitals. These severe injuries are almost always preventable, and nursing homes have a duty to ensure that residents are kept safe and as healthy as possible. Nursing home neglect may lead to severe infection, amputations, and death.

Good quality care in nursing homes includes evaluating medical quality, nurse staff levels, sanitary conditions, and health inspection reports. Overall staffing appears to be a huge factor in the level of care provided. Residents need continual attention and reports aim to monitor the average hours a day a patient receives care from registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses and certified nurse assistants.

Popular Ohio Nursing Home Management
that have Faced Penalty

In recent years, several Ohio nursing homes have faced personal injury claims for failing to protect residents. 

Diversicare of St. Theresa

Cincinnati, Ohio

Diversicare of Siena Woods

Dayton, Ohio

Diversicare of Bradford Place

Hamilton, Ohio