Las Vegas Bed Sore Lawyers
Pursuing Justice for Bed Sore Victims in Nevada
Bedsores, when they occur, are almost always the result of substandard care. Under Nevada law, healthcare facilities in Southern Nevada must provide all patients, regardless of their type of insurance coverage, with care that meets a standard of care that a reasonable person would expect to get. They must take all reasonable steps to avoid exposing patients to unnecessary harms, one of the most common of which is decubitus ulcers, commonly known as bedsores.
If you or your loved one has suffered bedsores, contact a Las Vegas nursing home neglect attorney from Burris & Thomas, LLC today. Attorney Burris can help you pursue justice for your loved one, providing the dedicated representation you need.
Call Burris & Thomas, LLC today at (702) 529-3101 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our bedsores attorney in Las Vegas!
Practical Strategies to Prevent Bedsores
Preventing bedsores isn’t tough—it simply requires a facility and its staff to take simple precautions. Because the proper prevention of bedsores requires adequate staffing from trained persons who care, many facilities that are trying to maximize profits by understaffing or hiring "as needed" occasional labor personnel will often have bedsore situations.
Some of the standard practices to prevent bedsores include:
- Keeping the patient’s body clean
- Regularly changing the bedsheets
- Any area of the body touching the bed must be examined often
- The patient must be moved regularly
- Special mattresses and bedding may be required
- Ointments should be used to prevent dry skin
Signs and Symptoms of Bedsores to Watch For
Recognizing the early signs of bedsores can significantly affect a patient's recovery. Key indicators include:
- Red or Discolored Skin: Areas that appear red or darker than surrounding skin, especially over bony prominences, may indicate early tissue damage.
- Pain or Tenderness: Patients may experience discomfort in areas under pressure, which should not be ignored.
- Skin Changes: Look for any changes in texture, such as softening or hardening of the skin or the development of blisters or open sores.
- Foul Odor: A noticeable odor may indicate an infection requiring immediate medical attention.
Family members and caregivers should remain vigilant for these signs and act quickly to seek medical intervention. Quick treatment can help prevent further complications and promote healing.
Types of Compensation Available in Bed Sore Cases
Families impacted by bed sores due to nursing home neglect have the right to seek various forms of compensation. Understanding these options is essential for pursuing justice and recovery. The primary types of compensation available in bed sore cases include:
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 702-529-3101 today!
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How much is my case worth?
There are many factors that go into evaluating the settlement value of a personal injury case. It is not a simple matter of applying a formula. Typically, everyone thinks that their case is “simple” and “clear-cut”. Everyone tends to think that the amount of money they are seeking is “fair and reasonable”. That is human nature. However, the reality is that, in the end, a personal injury case is worth what a jury says it is worth. The job of the victim’s personal injury lawyer is to come up with a settlement that reflects the risk of going to trial (odds of winning vs. odds of losing), together with the range of what value a jury might actually return on the case.
In deciding settlement values, we need to consider the following:
- Is fault clear, or contested?
- Are the injuries severe or mild?
- Is there an issue with insurance coverage?
- Is the client a good communicator?
- Is the defendant/wrongdoer likable or unlikable?
Normally, I am able to give a very general estimate range of settlement value and odds soon after taking on a case, with the understanding that these are just estimates and not guarantees. The longer the case goes on, the more definite I can be about the settlement value range.
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Do I have a personal injury case?
It is often times said by attorneys that in order for there to be a viable personal injury case, there must be “three legs on the stool.” These legs are: liability (or fault); damages (or injury); and collectability (insurance). If any one of the “legs” is missing, then there is not a viable case.
- Liability - A clear example of liability would be someone running through a red light. That person would be at fault. On the other hand, let us say that somebody is hit by a meteorite falling from the sky, and seriously hurt. In that case, although there is injury, there is no earthly entity at fault.
- Damages - An example of damages would be someone getting hit in the nose by an airbag, which breaks their nose. That person has an injury caused by the collision. On the other hand, what if that same person is almost hit by a car running a red light, but by the grace of God is able to avoid the collision? That person might say “I was almost killed, but I didn’t get a scratch.” In that case, the person was not injured and there is no case.
- Collectability - To give an example of collectability, imagine that a drunk driver runs through a red light, and the driver is Donald Trump. In that case, if Donald Trump hit and injured someone when he ran the red light, the victim will be able to collect upon any judgment that they receive. Imagine, on the other hand, that the drunk driver is someone who just got out of prison, and has no insurance and no property. Although that person will probably go to jail, there is no practical way to collect money from him, as he is a “scofflaw” living outside responsibilities of society.
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What Is the Nevada Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases?
When it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit, it's important to pay attention to the statute of limitations for the state you're filing in. A statute of limitations is the time limit that a state puts on how long after your accident you are allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit. Statutes vary from state to state.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) (2016) states that individuals wishing to file a personal injury lawsuit must do so within 2 years of the date of their accident. However, there are certain exceptions that can be made depending on your circumstances. For example, if you have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, you generally only have 1 year to file your lawsuit after the date of your injury (Nevada Revised Statutes section 41A.097).
Statute of limitations can be complex, and if you fail to file your lawsuit within the allotted amount of time your case will most likely be dismissed. Don't put your compensation on the line! Contact our experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation and determine what your next steps should be.
