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Bed Sore Lawyer (Pressure Ulcer Attorney): The Complete Legal Guide to Nursing Home Negligence
A bed sore (or pressure ulcer) is an open wound that develops when a person is left lying or sitting in one position for too long. These sores form because constant pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues.
They typically affect individuals who are:
Elderly or bedridden
Paralyzed or immobile
Hospitalized for long periods
Residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities
When staff follow proper care procedures—like repositioning patients regularly, maintaining hygiene, and monitoring skin health—bed sores are almost always preventable.
2. What Causes Bed Sores?
Bed sores occur when caregivers fail to take necessary precautions. Common causes include:
Failure to reposition the patient regularly
Prolonged pressure on vulnerable body parts
Friction or shear from rough repositioning
Moisture from urine or sweat that weakens skin
Poor nutrition and dehydration
Inadequate medical supervision or understaffing
When these lapses occur under the supervision of a healthcare professional, they may amount to medical negligence or abuse.
3. Why Bed Sores Are a Sign of Neglect
Bed sores are often called “never events”—meaning they should never happen in a properly managed care environment.
Nursing home staff and hospital personnel are trained to:
Identify high-risk patients
Implement repositioning schedules
Keep skin clean and dry
Monitor pressure points daily
If your loved one develops a bed sore, it’s often a red flag of systematic neglect, such as:
Inadequate staffing levels
Lack of staff training
Failure to follow care plans
Ignoring patient complaints or warning signs
A skilled pressure ulcer attorney can investigate whether neglect or inadequate medical care caused the injury.
4. Where Bed Sores Commonly Develop
Bed sores typically develop on bony areas where skin and tissue are compressed between bone and a hard surface. The most common sites include:
Heels
Ankles
Hips
Tailbone or lower back
Shoulder blades
Elbows
If these wounds appear in any of these areas during a hospital or nursing home stay, it’s a strong indication that preventive measures were not properly followed.
5. Stages of Bed Sores and Why They Matter
Understanding the stages of bed sores can help establish the severity of neglect and determine the level of compensation you may be entitled to:
Stage 1: Red, irritated skin; painful but not broken.
Stage 2: Open sores or blisters; damage to the outer skin layer.
Stage 3: Deep wound reaching the fat layer; infection risk increases.
Stage 4: Severe tissue loss, muscle or bone exposure; high risk of sepsis or death.
Advanced-stage pressure ulcers almost always signal serious neglect or abuse.
6. Legal Responsibility in Bed Sore Cases
Healthcare providers and facilities have a legal duty of care to prevent avoidable harm. When they breach this duty, they may be held liable for medical malpractice or nursing home negligence.
Parties that may be responsible include:
Nursing homes or long-term care facilities
Hospitals or rehabilitation centers
Home healthcare agencies
Individual nurses, aides, or attending physicians
Your attorney will identify all liable parties and pursue claims against each responsible entity to maximize compensation.
7. When to Contact a Bed Sore Lawyer
You should contact a bed sore lawyer (pressure ulcer attorney) immediately if you notice:
Bed sores appearing or worsening during care
Staff ignoring your concerns
Signs of poor hygiene or malnutrition
Unexplained infections, hospitalizations, or sepsis
A loved one being restrained or left immobile for long periods
The sooner you involve an attorney, the easier it will be to collect medical records, photographic evidence, and witness statements before they are altered or lost.
8. How an Attorney Proves Negligence
To win a bed sore case, your attorney must prove that the care provider’s conduct fell below accepted medical standards. This process involves:
Collecting medical records showing the patient’s condition upon admission and discharge.
Consulting medical experts to verify whether proper protocols were followed.
Documenting the wound’s progression with photographs and medical evaluations.
Identifying violations of federal and state nursing home regulations.
Calculating damages for medical treatment, pain, and suffering.
At Legal Counsel, our attorneys work with leading medical professionals and forensic experts to build strong, evidence-based cases for our clients.
9. Compensation Available in Bed Sore Cases
Victims of neglect—and their families—may be entitled to significant compensation, including:
Economic Damages
Medical bills for wound care, surgeries, or infection treatment
Future healthcare costs
Rehabilitation and therapy expenses
Relocation costs if moving to a safer facility
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of dignity or companionship
Punitive Damages
In cases of egregious misconduct or repeated violations, courts may award punitive damages to punish the negligent facility and deter future neglect.
10. Wrongful Death and Severe Neglect Claims
Tragically, severe bed sores can lead to sepsis, gangrene, or organ failure, sometimes resulting in wrongful death.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to neglect or untreated pressure ulcers, you may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover:
Funeral and burial expenses
Medical costs prior to death
Loss of companionship
Emotional anguish
Our team at Legal Counsel handles these cases with the compassion, skill, and dedication families deserve.
11. What to Do If You Suspect Neglect
If you believe your loved one is being neglected:
Document everything — take detailed photos of bed sores and injuries.
Request medical records immediately.
Report your concerns to the nursing home administrator.
File a complaint with your state’s Department of Health or Adult Protective Services.
Consult an attorney to preserve your loved one’s legal rights.
Quick action can prevent further harm and hold negligent parties accountable.
12. How Legal Counsel Can Help You
At Legal Counsel, we have extensive experience handling nursing home neglect and pressure ulcer lawsuits.
Our attorneys will:
Conduct a thorough investigation of the facility’s care practices.
Consult with medical experts to prove the cause and severity of the injuries.
Obtain state inspection reports and prior complaints.
Negotiate with insurers or take your case to trial if necessary.
We operate on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Our mission is to protect the vulnerable and ensure families get justice for their loved ones.
13. Frequently Asked Questions
Are bed sores always caused by neglect?
In most cases, yes. Bed sores are preventable with proper care. If they appear in a medical or care facility, it’s often a result of negligence.
Can I sue a nursing home for my loved one’s bed sores?
Absolutely. Nursing homes have a legal duty to prevent bed sores and treat them promptly. Failure to do so can result in liability.
What is the time limit to file a claim?
The statute of limitations varies by state but is typically 1 to 3 years from the date you discovered the injury or neglect.
What if my loved one passed away from bed sore complications?
You can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible facility or provider to recover damages for your loss.
How much is a bed sore case worth?
Compensation depends on the injury’s severity, medical expenses, and emotional harm. Severe or fatal cases can result in six- or seven-figure settlements.
14. Final Thoughts
Bed sores are more than just painful wounds—they’re a symptom of neglect and a violation of basic human dignity. Nursing homes, hospitals, and caregivers who fail to provide proper care must be held accountable.
If your loved one has suffered from preventable bed sores or pressure ulcers, don’t wait. Contact Legal Counsel today for a free, confidential consultation with a bed sore lawyer (pressure ulcer attorney) who will fight for justice and fair compensation.
Together, we can protect your family’s rights and help prevent others from enduring the same neglect.