Bed Sore Injury Lawyers
Fighting for Victims of Preventable Pressure Ulcers and Nursing Home Neglect
Bed sores (pressure ulcers) are 95%+ preventable with proper care. When they develop in nursing homes, they often indicate serious neglect that can have devastating—even fatal—consequences. Our experienced attorneys hold facilities accountable for failures that cause these preventable injuries.
Understanding the Stages of Bed Sores
Bed sores are classified into four stages based on severity. Each stage represents worsening tissue damage that could have been prevented with proper nursing care:
Stage 1 - Early Warning
Non-blanchable redness - Skin remains intact but appears red and doesn't blanch (turn white) when pressed. May feel warm, tender, or painful. This stage is reversible with immediate intervention.
Stage 2 - Partial Thickness
Skin breakdown begins - Partial-thickness loss of dermis. May appear as shallow, open ulcer with red-pink wound bed, or intact/ruptured serum-filled blister. Requires immediate wound care.
Stage 3 - Full Thickness Loss
Deep tissue damage - Full-thickness tissue loss with visible fat layer. Slough may be present. May include undermining and tunneling. High risk of infection. Should NEVER occur with proper care.
Stage 4 - Life-Threatening
Extensive destruction - Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. Often includes extensive undermining and tunneling. Extremely high risk of sepsis and death. Represents gross negligence.
Critical Timeline
Bed sores can develop rapidly - Stage 1 can appear within 2-6 hours of sustained pressure. Stage 3-4 bed sores take weeks to develop, meaning the nursing home had multiple opportunities to intervene and prevent catastrophic injury.
Federal law requires nursing homes to reposition immobile residents every 2 hours to prevent pressure ulcers. When Stage 3-4 bed sores develop, it almost always indicates systematic failures in care.
Where Bed Sores Typically Develop
High-Risk Areas for Bedridden Patients
- Back of head (occipital bone)
- Shoulder blades (scapula)
- Lower back and tailbone (sacrum/coccyx) - Most common location
- Back of arms and legs
- Heels and ankles
High-Risk Areas for Wheelchair Users
- Tailbone or buttocks (sacrum/ischial tuberosities)
- Shoulder blades and spine
- Back of arms where they rest on armrests
- Back of legs where they rest on seat
- Heels and ankles
How Nursing Homes Should Prevent Bed Sores
Federal regulations (42 CFR § 483.25) require nursing homes to follow specific protocols to prevent pressure ulcers:
Regular Repositioning
Patients must be turned and repositioned every 2 hours (or more frequently if at high risk) to relieve pressure on vulnerable areas.
Risk Assessment
Facilities must conduct thorough risk assessments (Braden Scale) upon admission and regularly thereafter to identify at-risk patients.
Proper Nutrition
Adequate nutrition and hydration are essential for healthy skin. Facilities must ensure proper dietary care and supplements when needed.
Pressure-Relief Equipment
Specialized mattresses, cushions, heel protectors, and positioning devices must be used for high-risk patients to distribute pressure evenly.
Signs of Negligence Leading to Bed Sores
When bed sores develop in nursing homes, it almost always indicates one or more failures in basic care:
Staffing Problems
- •Inadequate nurse-to-patient ratios
- •Insufficient training on pressure ulcer prevention
- •High staff turnover reducing continuity of care
- •Failure to follow repositioning schedules
Care Failures
- •Inadequate assessment and monitoring
- •Poor hygiene and incontinence care
- •Failure to provide proper nutrition and hydration
- •Lack of appropriate pressure-relief equipment
Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Sore Cases
Why Choose Licatesi Law Group for Bed Sore Cases
40+ Years of Experience
Decades of proven success representing nursing home injury victims and their families throughout New York and New Jersey.
Proven Track Record
Over $100 million recovered for injury victims, with numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in nursing home cases.
Specialized Expertise
We work with leading wound care specialists, geriatricians, and nursing experts to build the strongest possible case.
Compassionate Advocacy
We understand the betrayal families feel when a nursing home fails to protect their loved one. We fight tirelessly for justice and accountability.
No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
We handle bed sore cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Related Practice Areas
Nursing Home Injury
Comprehensive representation for all types of nursing home neglect and abuse.
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Fighting for victims of physical, emotional, and financial abuse in care facilities.
Medical Malpractice
Holding healthcare providers accountable for substandard care and medical negligence.
Discovered Bed Sores on Your Loved One?
Act immediately to protect your loved one and preserve evidence. Contact Licatesi Law Group today for a free, confidential consultation.
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