Bedsores and Dehydration
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
NJ | PA Personal Injury Lawyer
Bedsores · Wrongful Death · Malpractice Lawsuits · Elder Abuse
If your loved one develops a bed sore, you will want to know how it happened. Unfortunately, it is unlikely a nursing home will be forthcoming with such information because, with proper care, most bed sores are entirely avoidable. Bed sores (or bedsores) are caused by unrelieved pressure on the body; however, other factors including dehydration can also play a significant part in bed sore development and deterioration. If a resident is not properly hydrated, the chances of the resident developing a bed sore are significantly increased.
Bedsores and Dehydration: Nursing Home Failures
Nursing home residents depend on staff members to provide them with adequate amounts of fluids so that they do not become dehydrated. Many times residents cannot provide fluids to themselves, and they rely on staff members to provide sufficient water and other fluids. It is the duty of the nursing home to determine which residents need assistance with fluid intake and ensure all residents’ hydration needs are met. This is particularly important for those residents at risk of developing a bed sore. Poor fluid intake leads to dehydration which can make the skin more vulnerable to wounds.
Bedsores and Dehydration: Short-Staffed Nursing Homes
In the Philadelphia area, many Pennsylvania and New Jersey nursing homes are owned by large for-profit corporations. The nursing homes’ corporate owners are focused on making money. At times, corporate owners cut their nursing home staffing to dangerously low levels in order to keep costs down and business profits up. This directly impacts the care residents receive, and it places nursing home residents at risk of nursing home abuse and neglect. When a Pennsylvania or New Jersey nursing home is short-staffed, elderly nursing home residents suffer neglect. It takes time to keep residents properly hydrated. If a nursing home is short-staffed, proper hydration needs cannot be met, and vulnerable nursing home residents become dehydrated. As a result of this type of nursing home neglect, residents who are at high risk for bed sores can develop severe wounds. Bedsore development of dehydrated residents is a common sign of neglect found in nursing homes throughout Bucks County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia, Mercer County, and all over PA and NJ. Nearly all bed sores that develop in these nursing homes and long-term care facilities or hospitals are avoidable if proper pressure relief and hydration are provided.
Nursing Homes Do Not Have Good Excuses
Bed Sores and Dehydration = Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Nearly all bed sores and dehydration suffered by Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents, especially those in Philadelphia and the suburban nursing homes, can be prevented. Do not permit neglectful nursing homes to make excuses. Bed sores are much less likely to develop if a resident is provided pressure relief and a sufficient amount of fluids. Only in very rare circumstances will a bed sore be considered medically unpreventable.
Speak With an Experienced
Nursing Home | Bedsore Attorney
In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Brian P. Murphy has demonstrated his extensive experience litigating nursing home neglect cases involving bed sores and dehydration. Mr. Murphy focuses his practice exclusively on nursing home abuse and neglect. He is well-versed on the issues that arise in bed sore / dehydration lawsuits, including the defenses nursing homes attempt to make. Mr. Murphy has had great success filing bed sore lawsuits against neglectful nursing homes.
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Brian P. Murphy is an experienced and well-regarded New Jersey and Pennsylvania nursing home abuse attorney. He has successfully represented many elderly nursing home residents subjected to abuse and neglect. Mr. Murphy handles cases throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you see signs of nursing home abuse or neglect, take immediate action today. Contact nursing home abuse attorney, Brian P. Murphy, to discuss your potential legal matter.
This website is owned by Attorney Brian P. Murphy. Its purpose is to assist you in understanding your rights, especially when it comes to preventing or protecting yourself and/or your loved ones against nursing home abuse, neglect, bedsores, dehydration, and wrongful death. Legal matters are billed on a contingency fee basis.
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