Bed Sores · Falls · Medication Errors · Wrongful Death

Serving all of New Jersey & Pennsylvania including Philadelphia

Elder Abuse & Nursing Home Neglect

When to Hire a Pennsylvania Bed Sore Attorney

If you have a loved one in a Pennsylvania nursing home facility, you should know that he or she may be vulnerable to bed sore development. Bed sores (also referred to as pressure sores or pressure ulcers) are a serious concern in many Pennsylvania skilled nursing facilities. If not properly cared for, these pressure wounds can be a very serious health problem and may even result in death.

Brian P. Murphy is an experienced Pennsylvania bed sore attorney. He has successfully represented many elderly residents that have suffered from bed sores. Mr. Murphy handles cases throughout Pennsylvania. If your loved one has developed a bed sore, take action today, call Brian P. Murphy for a free consultation.

Bed Sores are Usually Preventable

Bed sores are a common occurrence at some Pennsylvania nursing home facilities; however, with proper care and treatment, bed sores are also almost entirely avoidable. When Pennsylvania nursing homes provide proper assessments, monitoring, and care to a nursing home resident’s skin, most pressure ulcers can be prevented.

Defining Bed Sores

Bed sores are pressure wounds. They develop because of continuous, unrelieved pressure on the skin. Bed sores have four different stages of development. Stage I is a reddening of the skin. Stage II is an abrasion. By Stage III the bed sore is a much more serious wound. It is now developing depth. A Stage IV ulcer is a severe wound. It is often infected and has a depth that extends to underlying bone. These wounds all develop on parts of the body where the layer of muscle tissue between skin and bone is the thin. Examples of these locations include:

• Ischium (sit bone)
• Sacrum
• Hips
• Heels
• Shoulder blades
• Elbows
• Buttocks
• Lower back

Causes of Bed Sores

Bed sores will not develop unless the body’s skin is exposed to continuous pressure; hence they are commonly known as pressure ulcers. At times,  nursing home residents are left sitting or lying in one position for long periods of time. When this happens, the skin is exposed to too much pressure and the skin deteriorates. This prolonged pressure on the skin is commonly the result of nursing home neglect.

“I wanted to thank you for all your help and expertise in handling the wrongful death/survival action of my sister at the nursing home. Although I don’t believe anyone can put a value on the life of a loved one, I am satisfied you have obtained a very fair settlement with this nursing home. Your prompt return of phone calls and willingness to come out to my home for every meeting and every need signature was really appreciated. I hope to never need your services again but would certainly recommend you to anyone in need of assistance in dealing with a nursing home’s neglect, abuse, accidentally injury, or death of a resident. Thanks again.”

Bob B.

Nursing Home Negligence

Any resident admitted to a Pennsylvania nursing home is required under federal and state law to have their skin assessed for potential skin breakdown. If the nursing home resident is assessed as a high risk for developing a pressure-based wound, the nursing staff is required to pay close attention to the issue and make sure the individual has his or her pressure off-loaded. If this is not done, nursing home neglect has occurred and the nursing home can be held legally responsible.

If your loved one is at risk or has already developed a bed sore, contact Pennsylvania bed sore attorney, Brian P. Murphy, and get your questions answered.

Review Mr. Murphy’s testimonials page to see what his former clients have to say.

All legal matters are billed on a contingency fee basis. All Pennsylvania nursing home abuse cases are personally handled by Brian Murphy.

* Nothing on this website is to be construed as attorney advice or otherwise creating an attorney-client relationship.