Bedsore Compensation Claims

The number of people suffering and in the worst cases dying for reasons which are preventable whilst they are residing in a care home or are an in-patient in hospital is startling. One major source of suffering, possibly even a cause of death, is bedsores.

Causes Of Bedsores

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers as they are officially known, are caused when a patient is unable to get up and move around or shift their weight and so are lying immobile for long periods of time. The most common areas where patients tend to develop pressure ulcers are on their elbows, back and heels – areas where they are most likely to be putting pressure. This pressure can reduce circulation and hinder the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the area, thus causing the ulcer.

There are four grades or categories of pressure ulcer. Grade one starts with a reddening or bruising of the skin. At grade two, the skin may be broken and there may be ulceration. Grade three is a large, deep ulceration. Ulcers categorised as grade four are the deepest and are often so deep that they extend into the muscle, exposing bone or even internal organs.

Anyone can suffer from pressure ulcers, although elderly people are particularly at risk as they tend to have poorer circulation and are often less mobile.

Bedsores can occur in as little as four hours but they are preventable. Hospitals and care homes can prevent pressure ulcers developing by turning patients regularly and checking for tissue damage. Air mattresses can also be provided to place less pressure on certain areas of the body.

Bedsore Compensation Claims

In cases where patients have developed pressure ulcers whilst in the care of a hospital or care home, the elements for duty of care and breach can often be inferred from the nature of the case without direct evidence of how the defendant acted. This can mean that a personal injury claim for the development of a pressure ulcer(s) can have a high chance of success.

Our expert Personal Injury team prides itself with being able to offer a high level of client care, giving clients jargon-free legal advice with a more human touch. If you wish to proceed with your claim through Nelsons, we are able to offer no win, no fee agreements where our clients receive 100% of their award.

If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article, please contact the team in DerbyLeicester and Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
 

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