Oakland Bedsores Lawyer
Bed sores, often referred to as pressure ulcers, can lead to significant long-term health complications for individuals. These often affect the elderly, disabled, and infirmed. Bed sores are preventable, and they are often caused by the careless or negligent actions of medical professionals and caregivers. At Milanfar Law Firm, PC, we are here to help if you need an Oakland bedsores lawyer by your side. We know how to handle these types of cases when working to recover compensation for victims of negligence.
Meet Attorney Shahrad Milanfar
Shahrad Milanfar, our founding trial attorney, has over 20 years of experience handling a wide array of legal matters, including personal injury, product liability, nursing home abuse, police brutality, and truck accidents. He has assembled a skilled team of attorneys equipped to manage complex, high-damage cases for individuals and businesses. Shahrad’s expertise extends to cases involving cars, tires, commercial trucks, buses, motorcycles, ATVs, and various household and industrial products.
He is also recognized for his innovative use of technology in trials and his effective presentation of clients’ stories. With extensive professional experience in crisis management and emergency response to catastrophic events, Shahrad has mediated over 120 cases and taught trial skills at institutions such as Golden Gate University School of Law. He is a Super Lawyer and a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 member, and serves on the Board of Directors for Bay Area Legal Aid.
Client Testimonial: 5/5
“I have so much gratitude for Shahrad Milanfar and his personal injury team at Milanfar Law Firm, PC. They represented me in a very difficult case. The injuries I suffered caused me to fall into a deep depression. I felt powerless and I isolated myself from friends and family. When I first talked to Shahrad, he advised me it would be a difficult case, but it seemed like he also genuinely cared about my situation and wanted to help. Even though he was busy with much larger cases, he and his team were always there for me. Shahrad and his team have been the light at the end of the tunnel of anguish I’ve been going through. I would highly recommend the personal injury attorneys at Milanfar Law Firm, PC.”
-Munus D. via Google Reviews
Call Our Oakland Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today
Discovering nursing home abuse can be devastating. If you suspect a loved one is suffering mistreatment in an Oakland care facility, it’s vital to act quickly to protect their rights and well-being. Take these immediate steps:
- Ensure your loved one’s safety
- Document any signs of abuse or neglect thoroughly
- Report the abuse to proper authorities
- Gather crucial evidence:
- Medical records
- Facility reports
- Witness statements
- Photographs of injuries or poor conditions
After these initial actions, consult an experienced Oakland nursing home abuse attorney promptly. Swift action helps ensure your claim is filed within legal time limits and strengthens your case for justice and compensation.
At Milanfar Law Firm, our dedicated elder abuse attorneys are prepared to guide you through this challenging process and advocate for your loved one’s rights. Don’t hesitate – contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you seek justice and protection for your vulnerable family member.
Why Choose Us at Milanfar Law Firm PC?
- At Milanfar Law Firm, PC, we have proudly served the Oakland area for more than 20 years, assisting injury victims with their claims to recover compensation from negligent parties.
- We handle bedsore claims in Oakland on a contingency fee basis, which means clients and their families do not have to worry about paying legal fees until after we recover compensation for their losses.
- We believe in putting the client first in all cases, which means we will never rush to obtain a quick settlement. We want to help you every step of the way.
What are The Stages of Bed Sores and How Do They Affect Legal Cases?
Bedsores can develop in individuals who are bedridden, immobile, unconscious, or unable to sense pain. These ulcers occur on skin areas under prolonged pressure, potentially leading to serious complications if not properly managed. Bedsores are categorized into four stages, indicating the severity of tissue damage:
- Stage 1. The affected area of the body appears red and feels warm to the touch. In individuals with darker skin, the area may show a blue or purple tint. The early signs may involve discomfort, itching, or burning.
- Stage 2. This stage shows more significant damage with the presence of an open sore, scrape, or blister. Skin around the bedsore may be discolored, and the individual may experience considerable pain.
- Stage 3. The sore worsens into a crater-like appearance due to damage below the skin’s surface, indicating deeper tissue damage.
- Stage 4. This final stage involves severe damage with a large wound, and there may be exposure of muscles, tendons, bones, and joints. Infection is a significant risk at this stage.
The stages of a bed sore or multiple bed sores could alter the Oakland personal injury claim against another party. Often, bed sores that reach later stages are indicators that there has been a pattern of inadequate care for some time with a patient.
Common Causes of Bed Sore Injuries
These injuries result from prolonged pressure on the skin, cutting off the supply of blood to the area and causing damage or death to the skin and underlying tissues. Common causes of bed sore injuries include:
- Prolonged immobility. Individuals who are bedridden or use wheelchairs for extended periods without changing position are at a higher risk. This is often seen in hospitalized patients, elderly individuals, and those with severe disabilities.
- Inadequate nutrition and hydration. Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial for skin health. A lack of these can weaken the skin and make it more susceptible to damage.
- Moisture. Skin that is exposed to moisture for an extended period, such as from sweat, urine, or feces, can become soft and more prone to injury.
- Friction and shear. When skin rubs against bedding or clothing or when it is dragged across a surface, the risk of developing bed sores increases.
We do want to be clear that bed sores can occur even if individuals receive good care inside of a nursing facility. However, as soon as caregivers realize a person is developing bed sores, they must take appropriate steps to treat the current bed sores and prevent further bed sores from occurring.
Bedsores Often Occur Due to Caregiver Negligence
Data from the National Council on Aging indicates that approximately one out of every ten Americans over the age of 60 have experienced some type of elder abuse. What many people do not realize is that the development of bedsores is an indicator of neglect or even willful abuse by a nursing home employee or a caregiver.
Information from the Cleveland Clinic indicates that bed sores happen in individuals who have been immobile for long periods of time, such as those who use a wheelchair or are bedridden. Bed sores can lead to larger wounds and cause severe, life-threatening infections. Estimates are that approximately 2.5 million individuals develop bed sores every year in this country, and they are most likely to affect the buttocks, heels, hips, tailbone, ankles, back, and any other areas where Bony parts of the body come into direct contact with a bed or chair.
Bed sores are preventable. Caregivers should regularly help individuals change positions if they are in a bed. The skin should be cleaned regularly, and caregivers should look for any changes in color to the skin or tenderness or numbness on their patient’s body. Proper nutrition and hydration help prevent bed sores, as does keeping the skin dry.
Can You Recover Compensation for Bedsore Injuries?
Individuals may be able to recover compensation if they sustain bed sores caused by the negligence of a caregiver or nursing home. This compensation can include both economic and non-economic damages, such as the following:
- Coverage of medical care needed to treat the bed sores
- Payment for any necessary changes with in-home or institutional care
- Physical pain and suffering damages
- Emotional and psychological pain and suffering damages
California Statutes of Limitations for Bed Sore Claims
Bedsore victims should file their claims as promptly as possible (or a representative of the victim should file the claim on their behalf). The personal injury statute of limitations in California is two years from the date an injury occurs. We understand that pinpointing the exact date for when a bedsore happened can be challenging, particularly if your loved one is unable to communicate clearly. In general, bedsore claims should be filed within two years from when the bed sores are discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
Areas Our Oakland Personal Injury Attorneys Serve
We proudly serve the following neighborhoods in Oakland:
Adams Point | Allendale | Bella Vista | Bushrod | Chinatown | Cleveland Heights | Clinton | Dimond District | Eastmont | Fairfax | Fruitvale | Glenview | Grand Lake | Havenscourt | Jack London Square | Lake Merritt | Laurel | Maxwell Park | Montclair | North Oakland | Oakmore | Piedmont Avenue | Pill Hill | Redwood Heights | Rockridge | Seminary | Shepherd Canyon | Temescal | Trestle Glen | Uptown | West Oakland
Call an Oakland Bedsore Injury Attorney Today
If you or somebody you care about has developed bed sores due to the careless or negligent actions of a medical provider or caregiver in the Oakland area, reach out to the team at Milanfar Law Firm, PC for assistance as soon as possible. We understand medical malpractice and Oakland nursing home negligence claims, and our team will conduct a complete investigation into your case. Our goal is to help ensure that you receive the compensation and care you need after going through this type of neglect. When you need an Oakland bed sores lawyer, you can reach us for a free consultation of your claim by filling out our contact form or calling us at (925) 433-6003.