Bedsore Attorneys at Lowe Trial Lawyers
Proudly Serving Those Who Have Been Injured in Ohio Nursing Homes
Bedsores in Nursing Homes: A Preventable Sign of Neglect
A bedsore, also known as a pressure ulcer, is an injury to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure that restricts blood flow to the affected area. Left untreated, bedsores can become extremely painful, prone to infection, and even life-threatening.
In nursing home residents, bedsores frequently develop on areas of the body that are in constant contact with beds or chairs—most commonly the back of the head, shoulder blades, elbows, tailbone, and heels.
Stages of Bedsores
- Stage I: The skin is intact but shows a persistent red, blue, or purple discoloration depending on the resident’s skin tone. This area may be warm, swollen, or painful and signals early tissue damage.
- Stage II: Partial-thickness loss of skin involving the epidermis and dermis. The wound may appear as an abrasion, blister, or shallow open sore.
- Stage III: Full-thickness skin loss, potentially exposing subcutaneous fat. Slough (yellowish tissue) may be present, but bone, tendon, and muscle are not exposed.
- Stage IV: The most serious stage, involving full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. The wound may include dead tissue (eschar) or slough and is highly susceptible to infection.
In most cases, a nursing home resident who enters a facility without pressure ulcers should not develop them—unless their medical condition makes them truly unavoidable. Federal regulations require nursing homes to take preventive measures, including:
- Assessing the resident’s condition and risk factors (e.g., diabetes, incontinence, malnutrition, or immobility)
- Implementing a care plan tailored to the resident’s unique needs
- Monitoring and adjusting the care plan as needed
- Providing treatment for any bedsores that do develop to promote healing and prevent further breakdown
Common causes of bedsores in nursing homes include failure to reposition residents regularly, lack of pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions, and failure to maintain adequate hydration and nutrition.
When a bedsore does occur, residents must receive timely and appropriate wound care, which may include cleansing, debridement, applying clean dressings, and managing infection or drainage. Untreated bedsores can rapidly worsen and lead to sepsis, hospitalization, or death.
At Lowe Trial Lawyers, we believe that bedsores are often a clear sign of neglect. If your loved one developed bedsores while under the care of a nursing home, contact our team today. We’ll investigate what went wrong, advocate for your family, and fight to hold the facility accountable.
Contact us today for more legal information on bedsores nursing home neglect.
How to Get Help
Lowe Trial Lawyers carefully analyze each individual case to provide the best options and solutions. If your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse or injury, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation.
Common types of nursing home abuse cases we take on:
