2 replies to this topic

[E R]

I am very new so please bear with me. My brother was injured on May 31, 2009. We understand he suffered a C4/C5 injury. Since his injury, he has been ventilator dependent and he has developed a 'Stage 4' pressure sore. The injury occured in a local park here in the southern New Jersey, USA, area. From what we were told by witnesses, David was saying that he hurt his neck and he couldn't feel his legs. A call was made to 911 and we were told that the 911 operator directed the person who called to sit David up. David was sat up and we will forever live with what damage was done when. Anyway, we did consult an attorney, actually 2 attorneys who were both of the opinion that there was no way to prove that sitting David up made any difference in my brother's injury. David spent 7 months in the Trauma intensive care unit of a local hospital and it was not until there David was transferred to a rehabilitation facility that the rehabilitation facility discovered a pressure wound on his back side. Well that was about 4 months ago and the pressure wound is at this time a 'stage 4' wound with an infection in his bone. Upon the rehabiolitation center's discovering the wound David was sent back to the Trauma ICU where he, against all odds, actually fought to survive until he was finally admitted to a different rehabilitation facility on January 4, 2010 which is where he is at now and which is where we were told by a doctor that the pressure wound was as a result of David not being turned every 2 hours. Would anyone happen to have any advice as to if I should consult yet another attorney with respect to David's injury and his developing a stage 4 bed sore?

[edlee]

Lawsuits are tough whenever they involve the medical profession. It seems they (doctors) close ranks when they see one coming. You need to find a lawyer with EXPERIENCE with both malpractice AND spinal cord injury. Most lawyers are like most people,,, they simply don't know anything about either unless they have had personal experience.

Two things,,, ask your wound care specialist about using a WOUND VAC on the pressure sore,,, he will have heard of the system,, it worked for me. The other is to be sure the bed he is in has , what is known as, a low air loss mattress, with alternating pressure cells. I'm still using one. It will prevent damage if they "forget" to turn him again.

Your local Bar association will be able to help you with the short list of appropriate attorneys,,, but as you meet people at the rehab, , you might ask for reccomendations,,, without giving away too much.

I wish you luck,,, on all fronts.
ed

[Ratticis]

ABSOLUTELY seek litigation. Here you have 2 years to file, but seek a lawyer with experience. Best of luck with this. I know what he's going through, had stage 4 bedsores on my tailbone down to the bone myself. Ask about a wound vac and definitly an air matress. Also might be worth trying honey dressings, they did wonders for me. Good luck!