The Plavix lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. have been investigating potential cases against Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myer Squibb for failing to warn about the dangerous side effects of Plavix for over three years, and potential Plavix lawsuits are continuing to be evaluated for individuals who suffered a:

• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Cardiovascular Death
• Internal Bleeding
• Ulcers
• Blood Disorder: Thombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpora (TTP)

The new Plavix black box warning is the strongest type of cautionary statement that can be placed on a prescription medication. The FDA mandated the warning to ensure that doctors and consumers are aware that Plavix may be ineffective in users who are poor metabolizers of the drug, which could affect up to 14% of the population.

There is a genetic test available that can identify which potential Plavix users have reduced functioning of the CYP2C19 liver enzyme, making them poor Plavix metabolizers. If the drug makers had properly warned about this risk earlier, it could have prevented many users from suffering heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular injuries. It also could have allowed users to avoid unnecessary exposure to Plavix side effects.

PLAVIX LAWSUITS

If you, a friend or family member have taken Plavix and suffered a heart attack, stroke, internal bleeding, ulcers, TTP or death, request a free consultation and claim evaluation to determine if compensation may be available through a Plavix lawsuit. All cases are reviewed and evaluated on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

>>REQUEST A FREE PLAVIX CASE EVALUATION<<

>>INFORMATION: Product Liability Lawsuits

According to an analysis by Bloomberg News, there was a 52 percent increase in the total value of the top five product defect lawsuit verdicts of 2009, when compared to the previous year. The verdicts seem to indicate that jurors are more inclined to take the side of their fellow citizens amidst the pain of the economic recession, the blame for which many people lay at the feet of Wall Street and big business.

Among the largest jury awards in product liability lawsuits last year that were identified by Bloomberg, were two losses by Pfizer over its hormone replacement therapy drug, Prempro. Pfizer was hit with a combined punitive damage award of $103 million in two Prempro lawsuits, in which women claimed that the drug maker intentionally hid the risk of breast cancer, putting profits before the safety of consumers.

The lawsuits may be just the start of Pfizer’s Prempro woes, with more than 9,000 other hormone replacement therapy lawsuits pending against Pfizer’s Wyeth subsidiary. All of the lawsuits involve allegations that women developed breast cancer as a result of the company’s failure to adequately warn consumers and the medical community about the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy.

In another major lawsuit highlighted in the Bloomberg analysis, jurors hit Altria, a Virginia tobacco company that owns Phillip Morris, with a $300 million verdict in a lawsuit by a former smoker who developed cancer. The lawsuit included $244 million in punitive damages; the largest punitive damages award in 2009.

Overall, five of the 50 largest court verdicts in 2009 nationwide concerned allegedly defective products, compared to only one such case which made the top 50 in 2008.

The verdicts reflect a souring mood of the public toward big business, and hopefully these verdicts are being looked at by corporate executives. Consumers are angry with corporate America, and these large verdicts are likely to continue if companies do not start recognizing that they can not place consumer safety at risk to generate additional revenue for their bottom line.

PRODUCT LIABILITY LAWYERS

The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential claims for severe injuries caused by dangerous and defective products throughout the United States. If you, a friend or family member suspect that you may have a claim, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>INFORMATION: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuits

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential CO poisoning lawsuits throughout the United States for individuals who have been diagnosed with injuries as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide. Unfortunately, CO leaks often result in prolonged exposure because the gas is not detected and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for a common cold or flu. The longer a person is exposed to carbon monoxide gas leaks, the greater the risk that they will be left with serious long-term injuries or die.

A recent reminder released by the Health Canada stresses the importance of the use of CO detectors in homes, in addition to the importance of upkeep on homes and appliances that can emit carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide detectors are often the only way to detect CO emissions before they reach dangerous levels and cause injury or death. Health Canada recommends the following safety tips:

• Make sure that CO detectors are certified by an accredited safety organization.
• Install CO detectors in the hallways outside of every sleeping area in the home.
• Ensure CO detectors are not covered by furniture or drapes.
• Regularly test CO detectors to make sure they are functioning properly, and regularly replace batteries in battery-powered detectors according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have fuel-burning heating equipment vents, chimneys and other exhaust structures inspected annually by qualified technicians to ensure proper ventilation.
• Inspect vents for dryers, furnaces and wood-burning or gas stoves during and after snow storms to make certain the exhaust vents are not blocked by snow.
• Never operate generators or portable fuel-burning camping equipment indoors. In addition, never burn charcoal indoors or in a garage or tent unless it is specifically designed for indoor use.
• Do not idle vehicles or run gas-powered equipment in garages, particularly when the door is closed.
• Do not use gas appliances such as ovens or clothes dryers to heat your home.

If a CO detector emits a warning, you should leave your home immediately and seek fresh air, only then attempting to contact emergency services. You should not return to your home until the source of the carbon monoxide has been identified by a professional who can assure you that the leak has been eliminated.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING ATTORNEYS

The toxic tort attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. review potential carbon monoxide lawsuits throughout the United States for individuals who have experienced injuries as a result of a carbon monoxide leak caused by the negligence of another person, such as a landlord, manufacturer, repair company or other entity.

To review a potential claim with our carbon monoxide poisoning attorneys for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>PRIOR POST (8/4/2009): Yamaha Rhino Safety Problems:
Coverage on CBS Evening News

Here is the video of the Yamaha Rhino segment that aired on CBS News on Tuesday, August 4, 2009:

Watch CBS Videos Online

The CBS investigative report went through evidence that demonstrates just how unstable and dangerous the Yamaha Rhino ATV is. Video footage showed vehicle after vehicle tipping over, and while many involved people engaged in unsafe behavior, others, such as footage from a dealership where the vehicles were being moved from one place to the other, shows the vehicle tipping during a slow turn on flat and paved ground.

CBS News also reported that even the president of an American subsidiary of Yamaha, Keisuke “Casey” Yoshida, experienced a Rhino rollover accident in a prototype in 2002. Coming off a hill onto flat ground, his vehicle tipped over, injuring the foot of Ike Miyachi, president of Yamaha France, and then-vice president in charge of the vehicle’s development.

Yamaha’s response can be found on their website, www.TruthAboutRhinos.com, which was launched earlier this year in response to the growing safety concerns surrounding the ATV and reports of rider deaths and serious injuries in rollovers. They portray the information aired by CBS as “inaccurate, incomplete and false,” concluding:

Yamaha stands firmly behind the Rhino and will continue to vigorously defend the product against baseless claims and distortions, whether they be from plaintiffs’ law firms or biased, inaccurate media reports parroting these lawyers’ claims. The Rhino is a safe and useful off-road vehicle when driven responsibly by licensed operators aged 16 or older and according to the instructions and warnings in our on-product labels, owner’s manuals, and other safety materials.

Comparing the picture of the Rhino Yamaha is attempting to portray in their response statement to the commercials they aired while marketing these vehicles, it seems as though they are talking about two different vehicles. The ATV featured in the commercials is shown taking rocky, dry riverbeds, inclines and hilly terrain with ease, adding new words to the English language, like “terrainability.” However, in response to the reports of Yamaha Rhino rollovers, they explain that the incidents must have been caused by horse play, unsafe driving or adding parts and accessories to the ATV.

Rather than taking responsibility for the safety problems with the Yamaha Rhino, they are attempting to ignore the overwhelming evidence that there is something inherently unsafe about their ATV. This report was not a case of bad publicity orchestrated by plaintiffs lawyers, just ask any of the hundreds of victims who suffered devastating injuries or lost a loved one after a Yamaha Rhino accident.

YAMAHA RHINO ATTORNEYS

The attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Yamaha Rhino accident lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have been injured throughout the country. While not every rollover or injury suffered while riding in a Yamaha Rhino is caused by the vehicle’s design defect, in many cases reasonable alternative designs or safety features could have prevented catastrophic or fatal injuries.

To review a potential case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

According to a promotional preview statement posted on the CBS news website:

It’s one of the country’s most popular off-road vehicles, linked to a disturbing number of injuries and EVEN deaths. So why are there no government standards to regulate it? An EXCLUSIVE CBS News Investigation.

The following video was also posted at CBSNews.com, showing an April 2006 Yamaha Rhino accident that occurred at a Yamaha dealership in Liberty, Missouri. The video shows the Yamaha Rhino tip over as it is making a turn at a slow speed on flat pavement.

Watch CBS Videos Online

(Via John Sand, who has run the website www.yamaha-rhino-information.com since he lost his daughter in a 2007 Rhino accident.)

UPDATE: Here is the full CBS News Yamaha Rhino story that aired:

Watch CBS Videos Online

YAMAHA RHINO ATV LAWYERS

The accident lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who are pursuing Yamaha Rhino ATV lawsuits over severe injuries that were caused by design defects with this ATV. To review a potential claim, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Dog Bite Lawsuits

Children between 5 years old and 9 years old, people with multiple dogs in their home and adult males are identified by the CDC as the most likely to suffer a dog bite.

Approximately one in five dog bite attacks result in personal injury requiring medical attention and more than 31,000 people had to undergo reconstructive surgery in 2006 after a bite. Scarring and fractured bones are uncommon injuries, with many victims of dog bites left with a permanent injury and deformities, even after plastic surgery.

The CDC outlined a number of preventative measures that may decrease the risk of a childhood dog bite, recommending that parents regularly review the following safety tips with their children:

• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Do not run from a dog or scream.
• Remain motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still.
• Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

To reduce the risk of a dog bite injury in your own house, the CDC recommends that the following steps be taken before a dog is brought into a household:

• Consult with a professional to determine what breed of dog would best suit the home.
• Avoid dogs known to be aggressive, particularly in homes with children.
• Spend time with the dog before buying or adopting it.
• Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.
• Do not play aggressive games with the dog.
• Properly train and socialize a dog being brought into the home and teach it submissive tendencies.
• Seek immediate professional advice if the dog’s behavior turns aggressive or undesirable.

Interestingly, the CDC Dog Bite Prevention website page fails to discuss the steps that responsible dog owners should take to protect others from their animal, especially if they know that a dog has a tendency to bite, chase, attack or act aggressively. In addition to the recommendations made by the CDC, which focus on steps a potential victim can take to reduce the risk of a bite, dog owners should:

• Make sure that their animal is adequately restrained in public and when visitors enter the home.
• Take steps to ensure that a dog is unable to wander free by securing the animal to a lead or having adequate fencing.
• Always keep their dog on a leash in public and make sure you are able to adequately control the animal.
• Warn any visitors in your home about the presence of an animal and provide information about any propensity to bite or act aggressively.

DOG BITE ATTORNEYS

The personal injury attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent victims of dog bites and animal attacks who have suffered severe and permanent injuries as a result of the negligence of a dog owner to take steps that could have prevented the attack.

In many cases our dog bite attorneys have investigated, the owner of the animal that attacked had prior knowledge that their dog had a propensity to bite, yet failed to take steps to control the animal, contain the animal or warn others of the danger that their dog could pose.

If you, a friend or family member have suffered a serious and disfiguring injury as a resut of a dog bite or animal attack, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

According to a News.com.au report from Australia, Yamaha is not conducting a Rhino recall in Australia or requiring the installation of the same new safety features. Yamaha Australia indicates that they are not offering the same repair program because “when the user guidelines are followed, the Rhino is a safe and extremely capable side-by-side vehicle.”

Facing a track record of nearly 50 Yamaha Rhino deaths in the United States and hundreds of other serious injuries suffered by riders in rollover accidents, Yamaha is attempting to spin the problems as an American phenomenon.

However, the rollover issues with the Yamaha Rhino have been tied to the design of the vehicle, which is essentially the same in the United States and Australia. The vehicle was built with small tires on a narrow frame with a powerful engine and a high center of gravity. These “features” cause the vehicle to be extremely unstable, and it has been shown to rollover even when it is operated safely at slow speeds under 15 miles per hour on flat surfaces.

As part of the Rhino recall in the United States, owners were told that the safety issues posed such a risk that they should not operate the ATV until after the repairs and modifications had been made. The U.S. CPSC indicated that Yamaha would add a spacer onto the rear wheels and remove the rear anti-sway bar to reduce the risk of a rollover.

Although questions still remain about whether these design modifications and safety improvements will actually help reduce the risk of a Yamaha Rhino rollover accident, if Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. told the U.S. CPSC that they would make the vehicle safer, why would the same design modifications not be offered worldwide?

LAWYERS FOR YAMAHA RHINO RECALL

The Yamaha Rhino lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who have suffered serious fractures and other injuries in ATV rollover accidents that occurred at slow speeds while the vehicle was being operated in a reasonable and prudent manner.

Yamaha has known about the safety problems with the Rhino for years and have continued to place riders at risk by failing to issue a recall earlier and warn about the problems. Hundreds of lawsuits over Yamaha Rhino accidents have been filed, and other riders who were injured in a rollover may be entitled to compensation.

If you, a friend or family member have suffered injuries in a Yamaha Rhino accident, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Yamaha Rhino Rollover Problems

The Yamaha Rhino recall lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who were injured or killed in a rollover accident that could have been prevented if Yamaha had taken actions earlier to address the rollover problems. Although the corrective actions should have been required years ago, we applaud the U.S. CPSC for taking action to require Yamaha to make simple design changes which may save lives.

On March 31, 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that owners have been asked to stop using about 120,000 Yamaha Rhino 450 and 650 model ATVs sold since Fall 2003 and about 25,000 Yamaha Rhino 700 model ATVs, until repairs can be made to add a spacer onto the rear wheels and remove the rear anti-sway bar to reduce the risk of a rollover.

In August 2007, Yamaha began offering after-market doors and additional passenger hand-holds which were designed to help riders keep their arms and feet inside the vehicle when it rolled over. However, that did not address the inherent stability problems with the side-by-side ATV.

It is too early for our attorneys to make a judgment about whether these design modification will be enough to make the vehicles safe, but at least it is a step in the right direction to require Yamaha to make the ATV safer.

The U.S. CPSC indicated that the actions were taken after they investigated more than 50 incidents involving 46 Yamaha Rhino deaths, more than two-thirds of which involved rollovers, many of which occurred while the vehicles were being turned at relatively low speeds on level terrain.

YAMAHA RHINO RECALL LAWSUITS

Hundreds of riders have suffered severe fractures, head injuries and other debilitating and fatal injuries in Yamaha Rhino rollovers since the vehicles were first introduced in 2003. Those who have suffered injuries which may have been prevented if Yamaha had made simple design changes to their utility ATV may be entitled to compensation through a Yamaha Rhino recall lawsuit.

To speak with an attorney and determine if you, a friend or family member may have a claim, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

Since 1929, over 600,000 asbestos lawsuits have been filed against more than 6,000 different defendants over the development of mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. It is one of the largest and longest-running mass torts in U.S. history, with the total payouts estimated to exceed $200 billion one day.

A growing number of lawsuits are being filed by those who were not directly exposed to asbestos by working around the toxic substances, but by living in the same house as those who came into direct contact.

Wives who have washed the clothing of their husbands, children who were held by their parents after arriving home from work covered in the fibers, and other similar situations have resulted in successful lawsuits for compensation against the manufacturers of asbestos and products that contain asbestos.

SPOUSE AND CHILDREN ASBESTOS LAWYERS

The asbestos lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential claims throughout the United States for mesothelioma caused by either direct or indirect exposure to asbestos.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused diseases are often not diagnosed until years have passed from exposure. Therefore, it is important to have any potential claim reviewed as soon as possible after a diagnosis to make sure that your family’s rights are protected.

To have an attorney review your potential case to determine whether compensation may be available for your family, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>REVIEW A CLAIM WITH OUR DEFECTIVE DRYWALL LAWYERS<<

Between 2004 and 2007, thousands of homes throughout the United States may have been built with bad Chinese drywall that was made from waste material, known as fly ash residue.

Homeowners throughout Florida, Louisiana and other southern states have reported that their new homes suddenly began to smell of spoiled eggs as a result of high levels of sulfur compounds in the drywall. The problems have been most noticeable in states with high humidity, but the bad drywall could have been installed in a number of other states.

If a home is found to have defective drywall from China, it may be necessary to complete gut the entire home to remove every piece of the bad drywall and replace it. However, in some cases, the smell of the sulfur could have entered the wooden structure of the home, requiring even more extensive repairs.

The sulfur compounds in the drywall have also been found to corrode air conditioning units and copper wiring throughout the home. In many situations, homeowners first signs of problems with the drywall will be the blackening of pipes, faucets and silver jewelry, as well as the repeated failure of their air conditioning systems.

A number of homeowners have also complained about respiratory problems and other health issues, like insomnia, nosebleeds, headaches and eye irritation while living in the homes.

DEFECTIVE DRYWALL RECALL LAWYERS

The Chinese Drywall Lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential claims for homeowners throughout the United States. If you suspect that your home may contain bad drywall, financial compensation may be available from the manufacturer, distributor, supplier and/or home builder. To find out if you may qualify for a Chinese drywall lawsuit, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuits

According to the BIAA, about 1.4 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury every year as a result of car accidents, sports, falls and other incidents.

Problems caused by a brain injury trauma can vary widely, potentially impacting the person’s motors skills, cognitive ability and sensory perception. They could result in difficulty thinking, speaking, learning and remembering. Emotions, sensation and ability to function in day-to-day activities could also be adversely affected.

A brain injury may also increase the risk for chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and other brain conditions.

Last month a study was published by the medical journal The Lancet, which indicated that children and young adults who suffer a traumatic brain injury could face an increased risk of epilepsey even more than 10 years after they suffer a head injury.

>>PRIOR POST (2/24/2009): Traumatic Brain Damage in Children

The Brain Injury Association of America provides information, education and support which is available to assist the estimated 5.3 million Americans who have suffered a brain injury trauma which impacts their daily activities.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY LAWYERS

In many cases a traumatic brain injury is caused by the negligence, recklessness or carelessness of another person, and financial compensation may be available to help provide for the life-time of care and assistance that may be required.

The traumatic brain injury lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential head injury lawsuits throughout the United States. Free consultations are provided to help families determine whether they may be entitled to compensation and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

If you, a friend or family member have suffered a traumatic brain injury, request a free claim evaluation.

>>Contact Your Senators
>>Contact Your Representative

The Medical Device Safety Act of 2009 was introduced in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate to reverse a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court last year in Riegel v. Medtronic, which held that product liability lawsuits challenging the safety or effectiveness of medical devices are pre-empted by federal law if they are approved by the FDA.

Corporations which manufacture defective medical devices and dangerous drugs have been arguing for years that they should be insulated from liability for injuries caused by their products so long as the FDA approved the products. However, in reality, the FDA is not equipped to be the last line of defense for product safety, and their regulations should be viewed as the floor, not the ceiling.

Ultimately, responsibility for the safety of medical devices and prescription drugs should fall to the manufacturer, and a consumer should be entitled to compensation when a corporation fails to ensure that their product is safe and effective.

Earlier this month, in the case of Wyeth v. Levine, the U.S. Supreme Court came down on the side of the consumer, finding that makers of pharmaceutical drugs are not insulated from liability for faulty warning labels, regardless of whether the FDA approved the label.

However, the Riegel decision is continuing to present substantial hurdles for individuals injured by defective medical devices, such as the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis defibrillator lead that was recalled in 2007.

Although Medtronic was aware that the small wires they were selling to connect cardiac defibrillators to the heart were prone to fracture or break, they continued to allow the products to be implanted for months.

In January 2009, U.S. District Judge Richard H. Kyle in Minneapolis cited the Riegel decision as the basis of his dismissal of over 1,400 Medtronic lawsuits that had been filed on behalf of patients who were injured by the defective Medtronic defibrillator leads.

The legislation introduced by Sentator Edward Kennedy (MA-D), Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-D) and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-D) could restore these lawsuits and protect other consumers injured by medical devices, by ensuring that they are able to hold the manufacturer responsible for a negligent design that results in a dangerous and defective medical device.

ACT NOW TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL DEVICE SAFETY ACT

To preserve your right to pursue a product liability lawsuit for injuries caused by a bad medical device, it is important that you contact your Senators and Representative to make sure they understand the importance of supporting the Medical Device Safety Act.

The civil justice system and state court juries are an important safeguard to hold companies accountable for decisions which put profits ahead of consumer safety. Let your voice be heard.

>>Read More from American Association for Justice.

>>INFORMATION: Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers

In addition to the range of physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral effects of a traumatic brain injury which can surface immediately following a head injury, a Danish team of researchers warn that the long term effects may not surface for many years.

According to the study released online Monday by The Lancet, the risk of epilepsy is more than two times higher after a mild brain trauma or skull fracture, and the risk increased to almost seven times when there is a serious brain injury. The risk remains even 10 years later, especially among teens over 15 years old, females and those with a family history of epilepsy.

“Traumatic brain injury is a significant risk indicator for epilepsy many years after the injury. Our data suggests a long time interval for potential, preventative treatment of high-risk patients,” the authors of the study concluded. “Drug treatment after brain injury with the aim of preventing post-traumatic epilepsy has been discouraging, but our data suggest a long time interval for potential, preventive treatment of high risk patients.”

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY LAWYERS

The personal injury lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of another person’s negligence throughout the United States. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident or injury to make sure that all steps are taken to protect the victims right to compensation through a traumatic brain injury lawsuit.

To review a potential case for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

Pressure ulcers, which are also commonly referred to as decubitus ulcers, pressure sores or bed sores, are a serious and greatly overlooked problem in many nursing homes. They occur when prolonged pressure is allowed to be placed on one part of the body, decreasing blood circulation in the skin.

When a resident is unable to reposition themselves, they rely on the nursing home staff to make sure that they are not left in a position to develop these painful and debilitating open wounds. Pressure ulcers do not develop instantaneously, but start with red or irritated skin and can progress to deep open wounds, which could become infected and ultimately may lead to death.

>>INFORMATION: Identify Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Homes

According to a CDC report published last week titled “Pressure Ulcers Among Nursing Home Residents: United States, 2004,” national survey data from 2004 found that about 159,000 residents (11.%) developed nursing home pressure ulcers. The most commonly encountered were Stage II bedsores, which are characterized as blisters or shallow craters where the outer layer of skin dies.

Other interesting data from the surveys indicated:

• Younger residents who are under 65 years old were found to be more likely than older residents to develop nursing home pressure sores
• Residents who were at the nursing home for a year or less were more likely to develop bedsores than those with longer stays
• One in five (20%) of residents with recent weight loss developed pressures ulcers
• Approximately 35% of residents who developed a more severe pressure ulcer categorized as Stage 2 or higher, received special wound care services

Previous research has established that the risk of nursing home pressure ulcers can be greatly reduced with better education of nursing home staff about prevention and with simple preventative measures to identify those at a high risk for bedsores, such as those with mobility problems, poor nutrition or incontinence.

>>PRIOR POST (2/22/2008): Prevent Nursing Home Bedsores

NURSING HOME PRESSURE ULCER LAWYERS

The nursing home neglect lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential pressure ulcer lawsuits throughout the United States to determine if the painful and debilitating sores could have been prevented with the exercise of reasonable standards of care.

In many cases, nursing home’s may be responsible for the development of ulcers for failing to check the residents regularly, failing to obtain immediate treatment when signs of a sore develop, leaving the resident in the same position for long periods of time, not giving proper fluids or nutrition or letting moisture develop next to the skin by not replacing wet bed sheets or soiled adult diapers.

To review a potential case with one of our nursing home pressure sore attorneys, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.