Bedsores & Pressure Ulcer Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Bedsores—clinically referred to as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers—are among the clearest indicators of medical neglect in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. These injuries do not occur suddenly, nor are they an inevitable consequence of age or illness. Instead, they develop gradually when healthcare providers fail to follow well-established standards of care designed to protect vulnerable patients.

Advanced bedsores often result in severe infection, prolonged suffering, permanent disability, and death. Families are frequently told that these injuries are unavoidable, only to later learn that proper monitoring, repositioning, nutrition, and wound care would likely have prevented them. In legal and medical contexts, severe pressure ulcers are widely recognized as largely preventable injuries.

Finch McCranie represents individuals and families in bedsore and pressure ulcer medical malpractice cases, with a focus on matters involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death. The firm evaluates these cases with a careful understanding of both the medical science underlying pressure ulcers and the legal standards governing institutional care.

Bedsores are localized injuries to the skin and underlying tissue that occur when sustained pressure restricts blood flow to a specific area of the body. Without adequate circulation, tissue is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to cellular damage and eventual tissue death. This process often begins beneath the surface of the skin, making early detection dependent on attentive monitoring rather than visible wounds.

Pressure ulcers most commonly form over bony prominences where there is minimal cushioning between bone and skin. These areas include the sacrum, hips, heels, ankles, elbows, shoulders, and the back of the head. Patients who remain in the same position for prolonged periods—particularly those who cannot reposition themselves—are especially vulnerable.

In medical records and legal proceedings, the terms bedsores, pressure ulcers, pressure sores, and decubitus ulcers are used interchangeably. Regardless of terminology, these injuries reflect the same underlying pathological process and are evaluated under the same standards of care.

Bedsores are often misunderstood as superficial skin problems. In reality, they are complex medical injuries that can extend deep into muscle, connective tissue, and bone. Once the integrity of the skin is compromised, the body’s primary defense against infection is breached, creating a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the body.

As pressure ulcers worsen, they may lead to abscess formation, bone infection (osteomyelitis), and systemic infection. These complications are particularly dangerous for elderly patients and those with weakened immune systems. Even a single advanced bedsore can significantly accelerate medical decline.

Because of these risks, pressure ulcers are treated in healthcare as sentinel events—injuries that often indicate failures in care and require investigation. Their presence raises serious questions about whether basic patient safety measures were followed.

Bedsores develop through a gradual process of tissue damage caused by prolonged pressure, friction, or shear. Pressure alone may be sufficient to cause injury, but additional factors such as moisture, poor nutrition, and limited mobility often accelerate tissue breakdown.

The development of bedsores is predictable and well understood in medicine. Early warning signs typically appear long before open wounds form. When these signs are ignored or inadequately addressed, pressure ulcers progress to more severe stages.

In institutional settings, bedsores rarely result from sudden medical deterioration. Instead, they reflect ongoing failures in routine care over time.

Healthy tissue depends on continuous blood flow to maintain cellular function. When pressure compresses blood vessels, circulation is reduced or completely obstructed. Without oxygen and nutrients, tissue becomes ischemic and begins to break down.

Even relatively short periods of uninterrupted pressure can initiate tissue damage, particularly in patients with compromised circulation or fragile skin. For this reason, regular repositioning is a foundational element of pressure ulcer prevention.

When repositioning does not occur as required, tissue damage compounds over time, eventually resulting in open wounds and deep tissue injury.

Pressure ulcers do not typically progress rapidly from intact skin to severe wounds. Instead, they worsen gradually through identifiable stages. Each stage represents a missed opportunity for intervention.

This progressive nature is central to bedsore malpractice cases. Medical records often reveal early signs of skin breakdown that were documented—or should have been documented—but not acted upon. The longer these warning signs are ignored, the more severe the resulting injury becomes.

Advanced bedsores therefore often reflect prolonged neglect rather than sudden failure.

Certain patient populations are known to be at elevated risk for pressure ulcers and require enhanced monitoring and preventive care.

Aging skin is thinner, less elastic, and more susceptible to injury. Elderly patients often have reduced mobility, impaired circulation, and chronic medical conditions that increase their vulnerability to pressure ulcers.

In nursing homes and assisted living facilities, elderly residents frequently depend entirely on staff for repositioning, hygiene, and skin inspection. When staffing is inadequate or care protocols are not followed, these patients face a significant risk of developing bedsores.

The prevalence of pressure ulcers among elderly patients makes vigilant care not optional, but essential.

Patients who are unable to reposition themselves due to injury, illness, paralysis, or sedation are among the highest-risk populations. Without assistance, these individuals cannot relieve pressure on vulnerable areas of the body.

Immobility is a well-recognized risk factor that requires proactive prevention measures, including scheduled repositioning and the use of pressure-relieving support surfaces. Failure to provide this assistance often results in rapid tissue breakdown.

In malpractice evaluations, immobility is a key factor in determining whether heightened standards of care were required and met.

Hospitalized patients recovering from surgery or serious illness often experience limited mobility, reduced sensation, and periods of unconsciousness or sedation. These conditions increase bedsore risk, particularly during prolonged hospital stays.

Hospitals are expected to assess bedsore risk upon admission and throughout hospitalization. When pressure ulcers develop during inpatient care, it raises questions about monitoring, staffing levels, and adherence to prevention protocols.

Hospital-acquired bedsores are especially concerning because they occur in controlled environments with access to trained staff and medical resources.

Patients with dementia, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological conditions may be unable to feel discomfort or communicate pain. As a result, they may not alert caregivers to early signs of tissue damage.

These patients require heightened vigilance and routine skin assessments. Failure to recognize their vulnerability often leads to delayed detection and more severe injuries.

In legal cases, cognitive impairment often underscores a patient’s total dependence on caregivers for protection.

Bedsore prevention is a fundamental aspect of nursing and hospital care. Medical standards governing pressure ulcer prevention are well-established and widely taught.

Healthcare providers are expected to assess a patient’s risk of developing pressure ulcers upon admission and to reassess that risk regularly. These assessments guide care planning and determine which preventive measures are necessary.

Failure to perform or document risk assessments may indicate deviations from accepted standards of care. In malpractice cases, the absence of documented assessments is often significant.

Regular repositioning is one of the most effective methods of preventing bedsores. Depending on patient condition, repositioning may be required every two hours or more frequently.

In institutional settings, repositioning schedules should be followed consistently and documented accurately. Gaps in documentation often correlate with periods during which pressure ulcers develop.

Failure to reposition immobile patients is one of the most common factors in bedsore negligence cases.

Routine skin inspections are critical for identifying early signs of tissue breakdown. Changes in skin color, temperature, or texture should prompt immediate intervention.

Accurate documentation ensures continuity of care and accountability among caregivers. In many cases, records reveal early warning signs that were noted but not addressed.

Adequate nutrition and hydration are essential for maintaining skin integrity and supporting healing. Malnutrition and dehydration significantly increase bedsore risk and impair recovery.

Pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions, and overlays are commonly used for high-risk patients. Failure to provide appropriate equipment may constitute a breach of care standards.

Pressure ulcers are classified into stages based on severity, reflecting the depth and extent of tissue damage.

Stage One ulcers involve intact skin with persistent redness or discoloration that does not fade when pressure is relieved. Although the skin remains unbroken, underlying tissue damage may already be present.

At this stage, intervention can reverse the injury. Failure to act allows progression.

Stage Two ulcers involve partial-thickness skin loss, blistering, or shallow open wounds. These injuries require more intensive care and monitoring.

Progression to Stage Two often indicates delayed or inadequate response to early warning signs.

Stage Three ulcers extend into deeper tissue layers, forming open wounds that may expose fat tissue. These injuries often require specialized wound care and prolonged treatment.

Their presence typically reflects prolonged neglect.

Stage Four ulcers involve extensive tissue destruction, exposing muscle, tendon, or bone. These injuries carry a high risk of infection, sepsis, and death.

From a legal standpoint, Stage Four bedsores are among the clearest indicators of medical negligence.

Not every bedsore automatically constitutes malpractice. However, bedsore medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet accepted standards of care and that failure causes harm.

Some cases involve failure to implement preventive measures, while others involve failure to treat existing ulcers appropriately. Both forms of negligence may support malpractice claims.

Patterns of neglect are often revealed through documentation and timelines.

Advanced bedsores frequently lead to serious complications, including infection, sepsis, and organ failure. In the most severe cases, these complications result in death.

Wrongful death claims may arise when pressure ulcers cause or substantially contribute to a patient’s death. Establishing causation involves careful medical analysis and expert testimony.

Finch McCranie is a trial-focused law firm with decades of experience handling serious medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. The firm is selective and focuses on matters involving catastrophic injury and clear evidence of negligence.

Cases are prepared with the expectation that they may proceed to trial, ensuring thorough investigation and accountability.

If you believe a loved one developed bedsores due to medical negligence—or died from complications related to pressure ulcers—contact Finch McCranie for a confidential consultation.