Bed Sores

The Los Angeles bed sore attorneys at Yeroushalmi Law have successfully litigated assisted living facility cases involving injury due to bed sores, or “pressure ulcers,” developed at these facilities. Pressure ulcers, also known as pressure sores, have continuously been a critical issue for older adults in assisted living facilities. If left unattended, even the most minor pressure sore can progress into a critical condition that, in some cases, may be fatal.

Individuals who have lost their ability to move freely are highly susceptible to developing pressure ulcers. Prolonged periods of sitting or lying in one position can restrict blood flow to the skin, leading to the deterioration and eventual death of skin tissue. This deterioration can create an open wound, making the ulcer susceptible to bacterial infection, which can not only destroy healthy tissue but also spread to the bones and bloodstream.

Similar to any skin wound, pressure ulcers cause severe pain and require a significant amount of time to heal properly. These bedsores typically form on bony areas of the body that protrude, such as the heels, hips, ankles, and tailbone. The immobility and lack of repositioning experienced while lying in bed or sitting in a chair or wheelchair result in continuous pressure on these areas. If your loved one has suffered harm due to an assisted living facility's failure to treat or prevent a pressure sore, it is crucial to contact an elder abuse attorney in Los Angeles without delay.

Effectively preventing the development of pressure ulcers in patients demands meticulous care and constant vigilance. This responsibility can often surpass the capabilities of an assisted living facility. Insufficient staffing and inadequate training frequently lead to substandard healthcare for older adults residing in these facilities, a problem that will likely worsen as the "baby boomer" generation continues to age.

In accordance with state and federal regulations, most pressure ulcers are preventable if the resident receives basic care. Therefore, those responsible for the care of elderly individuals in assisted living facilities, including staff, administrators, managers, physicians, and the facility itself, should be held accountable when a pressure ulcer develops. Research indicates that long-term care facilities that fail to provide adequate quality of care place their patients at a high risk of developing pressure ulcers. If an assisted living facility cannot prevent its residents from deteriorating, it should not retain them. These facilities must be aware that retaining residents they are unable to care for is not permissible. Unfortunately, based on the experiences of bed sore attorneys at Yeroushalmi Law in Los Angeles, assisted living facilities often fail to transfer their residents to more suitable care.

Although not as heavily regulated as nursing homes, assisted living facilities should take proactive measures when residents experience deterioration or develop pressure ulcers. Moreover, facilities that lack the necessary resources to meet a patient's needs have a responsibility to inform the individual and their family about the need for a transfer to a more appropriate long-term care facility.

Despite the growing number of assisted living facilities, the majority are incapable of providing a substitute for nursing home or hospital care. Due to the limited regulation governing these facilities, older adult residents are particularly vulnerable. According to Title 22 under state regulations for assisted living, facilities are prohibited from retaining residents with any open pressure ulcer, regardless of its size or location. While an assisted living facility may legally retain a patient with a stage 1 or 2 pressure ulcer, they must transfer the patient to a nursing facility if the ulcer reaches stage 3 or 4.

Furthermore, it is crucial to understand that an assisted living facility's license is for "residential" purposes and not for medical care, unlike a nursing home. Assisted living facilities lack both medical staff and medical services. Pressure ulcers are medical issues that require attention in a medical environment.

If you or a loved one has experienced a pressure ulcer while staying at an assisted living facility or another healthcare institution, it is highly likely that the facility failed to provide the necessary care. The Los Angeles bed sore attorneys at the Yeroushalmi Law advocate for those who have suffered from pressure ulcers due to neglect in residential care facilities. We will collaborate with our experts to conduct a comprehensive assessment, determining the cause of the pressure ulcer and providing guidance on your legal rights and options. We firmly believe that preventable pressure ulcers inflict unnecessary suffering on older adults, and we will pursue your case with urgency to secure a fair verdict. We are prepared to take your case to trial without hesitation. Please contact us online  or at (310) 623-1926 immediately for a free consultation.