That is the (potentially) million-dollar question. Before we can figure out the financial value of a bed sore, it’s important to first understand what a bed sore is and why it is considered to be such an egregious example of neglect.
Pressure sores and bed sores are also known as pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers. They occur when a patient’s skin encounters unrelieved pressure, shear, or friction. Pressure comes from a person’s weight. Pressure sores form on the skin that covers elbows, heels, hips, shoulders, heads, and other prominent bony structures due to shear or friction. Shear happens internally when bone and skin move in opposite directions. Friction occurs when the skin rubs against a surface. These dynamics occur while the patient is in bed, in a wheelchair, or restrained by a medical device.
The CDC National Center for Health Statistics’ brief, “Pressure Ulcers Among Nursing Home Residents” explains how medical professionals rate pressure injuries by severity.
In general, if a hospital’s negligence or failure to provide appropriate care leads to the development of bedsores in a patient, it may be possible to sue the hospital for damages. Bedsores are considered a preventable condition, and hospitals have a duty to provide a certain standard of care to their patients, including taking appropriate measures to prevent bedsores, especially in patients who are at high risk due to prolonged immobility or other factors.
Bedsore lawsuits can be worth thousands or millions of dollars depending on several factors, including:
A Plaintiff in these types of cases may be entitled to economic and general damages and also punitive damages.
If your loved one was injured due to nursing home or hospital negligence, neglect, or abuse, we are ready to fight for you. Nichols Injury has represented clients in the Atlanta area in communities throughout Georgia and South Carolina. We’re also licensed in Georgia and South Carolina. We work for you on a contingency basis. We don’t collect a fee until we resolve your case.
Give us a call at (678) 722-5311 or complete our online contact form. We’ll schedule a free consultation to determine if we can help you.