When families place a loved one in a nursing home, they trust the facility to provide attentive care, protect residents from preventable injuries, and treat them with dignity. Unfortunately, that trust is sometimes broken. One of the most common signs of nursing home abuse or neglect is the development of bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers or pressure injuries.
Many bedsores could be prevented with proper care. When a nursing home fails to reposition residents, monitor their skin, provide adequate nutrition, or address medical concerns promptly, residents may suffer painful and potentially life-threatening wounds.
If you believe your loved one developed pressure injuries because of inadequate care, the experienced Oklahoma City nursing home neglect lawyers at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC can investigate what happened and help your family pursue justice.
What Are Bedsores?
Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers or pressure injuries, are wounds that develop when prolonged pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue. They frequently affect residents who spend extended periods in bed or use wheelchairs and cannot reposition themselves without assistance.
Without prompt treatment, these wounds can worsen rapidly, leading to severe infections, permanent tissue damage, hospitalization, or even death. Pressure injuries frequently develop on areas where bones are close to the skin, including:
- Tailbone
- Hips
- Heels
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Shoulder blades
- Back of the head
When Are Bedsores a Sign of Nursing Home Neglect?
Many pressure ulcers are preventable. When nursing home staff fail to follow accepted standards of care, the development of bedsores may be strong evidence of bedsores nursing home negligence.
An experienced nursing home neglect attorney can review the resident’s medical records, care plans, and facility practices to determine whether the injury could have been prevented.
What Standard of Care Do Nursing Homes Owe Residents?
Nursing homes have a legal duty to provide reasonable care that protects residents from avoidable injuries.
Proper pressure injury prevention generally includes:
- Regular skin assessments
- Routine repositioning of residents
- Frequent monitoring for early skin breakdown
- Keeping residents clean and dry
- Providing adequate nutrition and hydration
- Using pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions when appropriate
- Prompt medical evaluation of developing sores
- Maintaining accurate medical records
What Causes Preventable Bedsores?
Several forms of neglect commonly contribute to pressure ulcers.
Failure to Reposition Residents
One of the leading causes of preventable bedsores is failing to regularly turn or reposition residents who cannot move independently. Without movement, constant pressure reduces blood circulation and damages skin tissue.
Inadequate Staffing
Many nursing homes operate with too few caregivers to properly meet residents’ needs. When staff members are overwhelmed, routine care such as repositioning, hygiene, and skin inspections may be delayed or skipped altogether.
Poor Nutrition and Hydration
Healthy skin requires proper nutrition and hydration to heal and resist injury. Residents who are not receiving adequate meals, fluids, or nutritional support may face a much higher risk of pressure injuries.
Poor Hygiene
Moisture from perspiration or incontinence can weaken skin and increase susceptibility to ulcers. Proper hygiene and prompt changing of clothing or bedding can help reduce this risk.
Failure to Monitor Existing Wounds
Early-stage pressure ulcers can often be treated before becoming severe. When staff ignore worsening wounds or delay medical treatment, minor skin irritation can develop into deep, infected ulcers requiring surgery or hospitalization.
Bedsores Cause Serious Injuries
Pressure injuries are classified into stages based on severity.
- Stage 1. The skin remains intact but appears red or discolored and does not return to its normal color when pressure is removed.
- Stage 2. The skin breaks open, forming a shallow wound or blister.
- Stage 3. The ulcer extends into the fatty tissue beneath the skin, creating a much deeper wound.
- Stage 4. The most severe pressure ulcers expose muscle, tendons, ligaments, or bone and carry a high risk of serious infection.
Advanced pressure injuries may result in:
- Sepsis
- Bone infections
- Permanent disability
- Multiple surgeries
- Chronic pain
- Amputation in rare cases
- Death
Because these injuries can quickly become life-threatening, prompt medical treatment is essential.
Common Signs of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect
Bedsores are often only one warning sign. When multiple warning signs appear together, they may indicate broader problems within the facility.
Families should also watch for:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Poor hygiene
- Dehydration
- Frequent infections
- Repeated falls
- Unexplained bruises
- Unsanitary living conditions
- Sudden behavioral changes
- Fear of staff members
- Medication errors
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Oklahoma
Serious bedsores can become fatal when infections spread throughout the body. If nursing home neglect contributed to your loved one’s death, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Oklahoma law. Holding negligent facilities accountable helps families recover compensation, and it can also encourage improvements that protect other people’s loved ones.
How a Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Can Help
An experienced nursing home neglect attorney can investigate whether the facility followed accepted standards of care by:
- Obtaining medical records
- Reviewing care plans
- Examining staffing levels
- Consulting wound care experts
- Interviewing witnesses
- Identifying violations of nursing home regulations
- Calculating damages
- Negotiating with insurers
- Preparing the case for trial if necessary
Speak With a Trusted Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in OKC
If your loved one suffered preventable bedsores because of negligent nursing home care, you do not have to face this situation alone. At Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC, our attorneys have represented individuals and families in serious injury and nursing home neglect cases since 2002, and we are committed to holding negligent facilities accountable.
We offer free consultations to help families understand their legal rights and determine whether they may have a claim.
Call (405) 705-5050 to learn more today.
FAQS About Bedsores and Nursing Home Neglect
What are the warning signs of bedsores in a nursing home resident?
Early signs of bedsores include redness or discoloration of the skin, pain or tenderness, swelling, and areas that feel warm to the touch. As pressure ulcers worsen, they may develop into open wounds, deep sores, or serious infections that require immediate medical attention.
How can I prove my loved one’s bedsores were caused by negligence?
Evidence may include medical records, nursing notes, care plans, repositioning logs, photographs of the injuries, staffing records, and expert medical opinions. A nursing home neglect attorney can review this evidence to determine whether the facility failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
Can I file a lawsuit if my loved one developed preventable bedsores?
Yes. If a nursing home’s negligence caused or contributed to preventable pressure ulcers, the injured resident or, in some cases, their family may have the right to pursue a pressure ulcer lawsuit.
What compensation may be available in a nursing home injury claim?
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include medical costs, future treatment expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation expenses, and other losses. If the resident dies from complications related to the bedsores, surviving family members may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim.
