Improper Nursing Home Leads to Bed Sore and Death

A Louisiana jury recently awarded the daughter of an 84-year-old man $1 million dollars after the man developed a bed sore while confined to his hospital bed and later died.  The victim was apparently admitted to a nursing home due to his declining health.  At the time of admission, he was confined to his bed, required a feeding tube and a Stage II pressure sore on his left hip.  Within a month of his admission, the man's bed sore had become infected due to exposure to feces, he had become malnourished and was suffering from dehydration.  In addition, he had developed a new Stage II pressure sore on his right hip and on his sacrum.  He was subsequently transferred to a hospital where he died six days later.  The lawsuit brought by his surviving daughter alleged that the nursing home failed to adequately treat and prevent bed sores and failed to properly clean and bathe her father. 

At STSW, we have recently and routinely secured large verdicts for patients who have died or suffered severe injuries as a result of the bed sores or infections arising out of untreated bed sores.  Given the large number of nursing homes in the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area, these cases are becoming all too frequent.  It is important to note that there are many advancements that have been made in the prevention and treatment of bed sores in recent years.  As a result, the negligent failure to properly treat and prevent bed sores is becoming entirely unacceptable.  If you or a loved one believe that you have been the victim of medical negligence / medical malpractice / medical error as the result of an untreated or undiagnosed bed sore, contact the lawyers at STSW for a free consultation at 410-385-2225.