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Bedsores don't just appear—they develop over days of neglect. A Stage III or IV pressure ulcer is physical proof that your loved one wasn't receiving basic care. We hold facilities accountable.
Bedsores—also called pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers—are wounds that develop when prolonged pressure cuts off blood supply to the skin. They typically form over bony prominences: the tailbone (sacrum), heels, hips, elbows, and shoulder blades.
In nursing homes, bedsores develop in patients who can't reposition themselves and aren't turned regularly by staff. This is basic nursing care. When a facility fails to reposition patients every 2 hours (or as their care plan requires), they've failed at the most fundamental level.
36%
Sacrum (tailbone)
30%
Heels
15%
Hips
19%
Other areas
Bedsores are classified by severity. Higher stages mean more tissue destruction—and stronger evidence of prolonged neglect:
Intact skin with non-blanchable redness. Skin may be painful, firm, or warmer/cooler than surrounding tissue.
Legal Significance: Early warning sign. If facility responds properly, can heal without injury. Failure to act at this stage is first evidence of neglect.
Partial-thickness skin loss exposing dermis. May present as open blister or shallow crater. Pink/red wound bed.
Legal Significance: Develops from Stage I in 24-48 hours without intervention. Proves facility ignored warning signs.
Full-thickness skin loss. Fat visible in ulcer. Muscle and bone NOT visible. May include slough (yellow tissue) or eschar (black tissue).
Legal Significance: Strong evidence of neglect. Takes days to weeks to develop. Requires extended failure to provide basic care.
Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed muscle, tendon, or bone. Slough or eschar may be present. Often requires surgical debridement.
Legal Significance: Definitive proof of severe neglect. May cause sepsis, osteomyelitis, amputation, or death. Near-certain liability.
Nursing homes are required to follow evidence-based prevention protocols. Failure to implement these measures is negligence:
Turn immobile patients every 2 hours (or per care plan). Document each turn with time and position. This is the most basic prevention measure.
Daily skin checks identifying early warning signs. Document any redness, especially over bony prominences. Immediate intervention at Stage I.
Use specialized mattresses and cushions for high-risk patients. Heel protectors, positioning devices, and low-air-loss beds.
Adequate protein intake and hydration support skin integrity. Dietitian consultation for at-risk patients. Address weight loss immediately.
Bedsores themselves are evidence—but we build comprehensive cases that expose systemic negligence:
We obtain complete nursing notes, turning logs, and skin assessment documentation. Gaps in repositioning records prove neglect.
Photos of the pressure ulcer, with date stamps, document severity. We advise families to photograph wounds during visits.
Understaffing makes proper turning impossible. If one CNA is responsible for 20 patients, they can't turn each patient every 2 hours.
Experienced nurses testify that the facility's care fell below accepted standards and that proper care would have prevented the ulcer.
If applicable, wound care nurses or surgeons testify about the severity of injury, treatment required, and permanence of scarring.
Your loved one's pressure ulcers didn't have to happen. We hold nursing homes accountable for the suffering caused by understaffing and corporate greed.
No Fee Unless We Win