When you turn to medical professionals for help, you expect them to offer care that meets the accepted standard. This is especially important if you have mobility issues that keep you from being able to take care of all of your needs. If you or a loved one has had an extended stay at a hospital or a medical facility, one of the issues that your care team must watch for is bedsores.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, our team of Chicago medical malpractice lawyers can assist you if you’ve developed bedsores in a medical facility or nursing home. Take a closer look at what the four stages of bedsores involve and how our Chicago, Illinois, team can make a difference in your case. Contact us today at (312) 635-5400 for a free consultation.
How Powell And Pisman Injury Lawyers Can Help After Bedsores From Medical Negligence In Chicago, IL
In Illinois, medical malpractice means a provider has not met the level of care expected of them. If any medical professional, including a nursing home nurse, fails to monitor bed-bound patients to help prevent the development of bedsores, that’s malpractice, too.
At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys can assist you in fighting for fair compensation through a personal injury claim.
We offer vital services that include:
- Evaluation of the claim
- Investigation of how you developed bedsores
- Collection of evidence to prove liability
- Calculation of the damages you deserve
- Negotiations with insurance companies
- Representation in court, when needed
Nursing home abuse and malpractice at medical facilities can leave you with catastrophic losses. That’s why we are committed to providing compassionate, client-centered assistance aimed at maximizing your case value.
With over 35 years of combined experience, we’ve secured over $250 million for our clients throughout Chicago, Illinois, and we can help you, too. Schedule a free case assessment with our team to get started today.
What Are the Four Stages of Bedsores?
Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, occur when there’s prolonged pressure on a particular patch of skin. They often develop in bony areas where there’s not much fat to cushion the pressure, but they can occur anywhere in the body. There are four stages to bedsores, each one putting you at a higher risk of developing a life-threatening infection.
Stage One
During the first stage, your skin can look slightly pinker or redder than usual. It could be harder for people with dark skin tones to notice this first stage just by sight, but discomfort can also accompany it. For example, your skin can feel tender and warmer to the touch, and the area can feel a bit firmer than normal, too.
Some people experience itching or burning, but the symptoms are generally mild. If the pressure in the area is removed, the bedsore shouldn’t progress further or require treatment.
Stage Two
During the second stage, the sore area may have an open wound due to the pressure, causing a shallow blister-like opening. Some people may even have a fluid-filled blister that could burst. Typically, the wound is pink or red and swollen. If the skin around the wound is also red, that could point to tissue death or damage.
Stage Three
Once the sore has broken through the two top layers of skin, it’s a stage three wound. You may notice visible fat tissue, though not muscle or bone. It’s essential to watch for infection at this stage, which could be present if you notice a foul odor, pus, or discolored drainage coming from the opening. These sores require immediate medical care.
Stage Four
This is the most serious stage of a bedsore. A stage-four sore goes beyond the layer of fat and into deeper tissues, including ligaments, muscles, and tendons. In the most severe cases, cartilage or bones could be impacted, too. The pain is often severe at this stage, and there is a lot of drainage. You may also notice dead tissue, which is typically black.
At this stage, some people develop eschar as well. This is hardened, dead wound tissue. The chances of developing a resulting infection are significant. These infections could be catastrophic injuries because they could lead to sepsis.
Contact Our Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one developed bedsores because of a medical professional or caregiver’s negligence, you may be entitled to receive compensation. At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, we know what it takes to successfully defend your rights in these cases and have a long-standing track record for exceptional representation.
Contact our team to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago medical malpractice attorney and discover your legal options today.