Patient was admitted to a Richmond hospital for joint replacement surgery and rehabilitation. The patient developed severe pressure ulcers over both heels during rehabilitation because the hospital did not properly relieve pressure from the patient’s heels while in bed. Once the pressure ulcers developed, the hospital also applied his pressure-relieving orthotic (PRAFO) boots too tightly, which caused the pressure ulcers on his heels to deteriorate. After the patient’s discharge from the hospital’s rehabilitation department, home health personnel documented that one heel pressure ulcer was 8 cm x 7 cm, the other was 7.5 x 6 cm, and both were extremely painful. The patient was forced to undergo multiple surgical debridements of his heels over a four month period. Before developing the ulcers, the patient was able to walk independently. After the pressure ulcers developed, he was able to walk only with supervision or the assistance of another. The case settled for six figures.
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Robert W. Carter, Jr. is a Virginia attorney whose law practice is dedicated to protecting the rights of the victims of nursing home and assisted living neglect and abuse in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, Lynchburg, Danville, Charlottesville, and across Virginia.
