Pressure Sores
Pressure sores in nursing homes are almost always preventable. Advanced bedsores are a clear indicator of neglect.
Free Case ReviewPressure sores — also known as bedsores, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers — are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. In nursing home residents who have limited mobility, pressure sores develop when staff fail to reposition them regularly, maintain proper nutrition and hydration, and provide appropriate skin care.
Advanced pressure sores are among the clearest indicators of nursing home neglect. At Maples, Connick & Brendel, we pursue claims on behalf of residents who have developed serious pressure injuries due to inadequate care.
Stages of Pressure Sores
Pressure sores are classified by severity into four stages.
Stage I — The skin is intact but shows persistent redness that does not fade when pressure is relieved. The area may be painful, warm, or firm to the touch.
Stage II — The skin breaks open, forming a shallow wound or blister. The surrounding area may be red and irritated.
Stage III — The wound extends through the full thickness of the skin into the underlying fat tissue. The wound may appear as a deep crater.
Stage IV — The wound extends through the skin and fat into muscle and potentially bone. These are the most serious pressure injuries and carry significant risk of life-threatening infection.
Additionally, unstageable pressure sores involve wounds covered by dead tissue that obscures the full depth of the injury.
Why Pressure Sores Indicate Neglect
With proper preventive care, most pressure sores are entirely avoidable. Standard nursing protocols require regular repositioning of immobile residents, typically every two hours. Proper nutrition and hydration to maintain skin integrity. Use of pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions. Regular skin assessments and early intervention at the first signs of skin breakdown. Maintaining clean, dry bedding and clothing.
When a nursing home resident develops Stage III or Stage IV pressure sores, it is almost always the result of sustained neglect over days or weeks. These wounds do not appear overnight — they are the consequence of repeated failures in basic care.
Complications from Pressure Sores
Untreated or improperly treated pressure sores can lead to severe infections including cellulitis, sepsis, and osteomyelitis (bone infection). These complications can be fatal, particularly in elderly residents with compromised immune systems. We handle cases involving both the development of pressure sores and the complications that result from inadequate wound care.
If your loved one has developed pressure sores in a nursing home, contact us immediately. These wounds demand urgent medical attention and legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
While not every pressure sore indicates neglect, the development of advanced (Stage III or IV) pressure sores in a nursing home setting almost always points to failures in basic preventive care such as regular repositioning, nutrition management, and skin monitoring. An attorney can help evaluate whether the facility met its standard of care.
Initial skin damage can begin within hours of sustained pressure, but visible wounds typically develop over days. Advanced Stage III and IV sores represent weeks of progressive tissue damage, indicating a prolonged failure of care.
Yes. Untreated pressure sores can lead to life-threatening infections including sepsis and bone infections. Elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to these complications. When a pressure sore contributes to a resident’s death, a wrongful death claim may be appropriate.