Many nursing homes do not have the adequate number of staff to meet the needs of all their residents. A person is usually in an assisted living facility because they cannot care for themselves without assistance. People with severe disabilities need help with things like turning in bed or getting from a bed to a wheelchair. Neglect or lack of care can result in falls, the failure to give necessary medication, or even severe bed sores. Bed sores, or pressure ulcers, form when pressure on certain areas of the body is not relieved by changing positions. Blood flow can be cut off and tissue can start to die.
Once this process starts, much care is needed to keep it from spreading and turning into a open wound. These wounds can lead to infection and can be life-threatening. If a resident enters a facility without any sores or wounds, Federal regulations require that the patient remain free of wounds. If a bed sore develops, it usually signals some level of neglect on the part of the nursing staff. These cases are very complex and often must go to court to be resolved. Be sure that your attorney knows what to look for and is experienced with this kind of case.