Georgia Nursing Home Bedsore Attorneys Seeking Justice for Families
Standing up for your loved one’s right to quality care
When you trust a nursing home with the care of your loved one, you expect them to provide attentive, compassionate support. Unfortunately, bedsores are a common sign that proper care is not being given. These painful injuries are preventable with basic attention and hygiene. If your loved one has developed bedsores, it may be a warning sign of neglect that should never be ignored.
At Johnson Greer Law Group, our Georgia nursing home bedsore lawyers help families hold negligent nursing homes accountable, ensuring residents get the protection, medical attention, and justice they need.
What are bedsores?
Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or pressure sores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that develop when someone is left in one position for too long without being moved. They are most common on areas of the body with less padding, such as the heels, hips, tailbone, and elbows. While they can start as small red patches, untreated bedsores can progress to open wounds and life-threatening infections.
Who is most at risk?
Any nursing home resident can develop bedsores if they are not given proper care and attention. However, residents who are bedridden or confined to wheelchairs are at the highest risk. Because they spend long periods in one position, constant pressure is placed on certain parts of the body. Without regular repositioning, that pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin, causing it to break down and form sores.
Limited mobility also makes it harder for these residents to shift their weight or alert staff when they are uncomfortable. Combined with other factors common in nursing home populations, such as poor nutrition, dehydration, or underlying medical conditions, this creates an environment where bedsores can develop quickly if staff are not vigilant. This is why it’s so important for caregivers to check on residents frequently, help them move, and provide the consistent attention needed to prevent bedsores before they start.
Warning signs and symptoms
Spotting bedsores early can make a major difference in preventing serious harm. Common warning signs include:
- Red, discolored, or irritated patches of skin that don’t fade after repositioning
- Swelling or tenderness in areas where pressure is applied
- Blisters, open wounds, or skin that looks like a crater
- Pus, foul odor, or signs of infection around the sore
- Complaints of pain or discomfort when pressure is applied to certain areas
If you notice these symptoms on your loved one, it’s important to act immediately. Early-stage bedsores can often be treated effectively, but advanced sores can cause severe complications.
Why bedsores are a red flag for neglect
In a properly staffed and attentive nursing home, bedsores should rarely occur. Caregivers are expected to reposition residents regularly, ensure clean bedding, and provide proper nutrition and hydration. When these basic standards are not met, residents may develop painful sores that are not only preventable but also dangerous.
Bedsores often signal that a facility is failing to provide even the most basic level of care, and they can quickly lead to serious infections, hospitalization, or even life-threatening conditions like sepsis. For families, the presence of bedsores should be taken seriously as a warning sign of potential neglect.
Complications of bedsores
Bedsores are not just uncomfortable, they can lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening complications if they aren’t treated quickly and properly. Because nursing home residents are often older or ill, the risks are even higher. Some of the most common health dangers include:
- Cellulitis: A painful skin infection that can spread quickly, causing swelling, redness, and fever. Left untreated, cellulitis can lead to more serious health problems.
- Sepsis: A life-threatening blood infection that occurs when bacteria from a bedsore enter the bloodstream. Sepsis requires immediate hospitalization and can be fatal if not treated quickly.
- Bone infections (Osteomyelitis): When bacteria spread deep into the body, they can infect bones and joints. This type of infection can be extremely painful and difficult to treat.
- Gangrene: Severe bed sores can cut off blood flow to affected areas, leading to dead tissue. Gangrene often requires surgery and, in some cases, amputation.
- Cancer: Chronic, untreated bedsores can sometimes develop into a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma.
- Chronic pain and loss of mobility: Even when not life-threatening, bedsores can cause severe pain and make it difficult for a resident to move, worsening overall health and independence.
- Delayed healing and extended Hospitalization: Advanced sores often require long-term medical treatment, wound care, and sometimes surgery, keeping residents in hospitals longer and away from familiar surroundings.
Seeking justice and protection for Georgia’s nursing home residents
Bedsores are not normal, they are a preventable injury and often a clear sign of nursing home neglect. If your loved one has developed bedsores in a nursing home, it may mean care and attention are lacking. No family should have to wonder if their loved one is suffering because of neglect.
At Johnson Greer Law Group, we are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable and protecting vulnerable residents. Our experienced Georgia attorneys understand how painful and dangerous bedsores can be, and we will fight to secure justice and fair compensation for your family. If you’ve noticed bedsores or other warning signs of neglect, don’t wait. Call us today for a free consultation and let us help you take the next step toward protecting your loved one’s health.