Are Bedsores a Sign of Nursing Home Negligence?

Bedsores (also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers) are a risk for anyone who has limited mobility. This includes nursing home residents who rely on their caregivers to help them live comfortably and move throughout the day. 

As a result, when nursing home residents develop bedsores, this is often a sign of nursing home negligence. Nursing homes in Wisconsin have a legal duty to meet their residents’ needs. When they fail to meet this duty, they can (and should) be held accountable. 

Why Are Bedsores a Common Sign of Nursing Home Negligence? 

Nursing home residents can develop bedsores when they are unable to get out of bed or out of a chair on their own. Bedsores result from sustained pressure on part of the body for an extended period of time (they are also known as pressure ulcers). As Johns Hopkins Medicine explains, “[w]hen you rarely move, [the pressure from] your body weight limits the blood flow to your arms, legs, neck, and back” and “[t]he lack of blood flow to the skin and tissues under the skin may cause them to break down until a sore appears.”

Due to the well-known risk of immobile nursing home residents developing bedsores, nursing homes have an obligation to help prevent these potentially serious injuries. However, in far too many cases, nursing homes fail to take even the most basic steps to prevent them. Common reasons for bedsores in nursing homes include:

• Failing to follow residents’ care plans 
• Failing to provide assistance to immobile residents on a regular schedule
• Failing to regularly check on residents with limited mobility 
• Ignoring or abandoning immobile residents for extended periods of time
• Ignoring the initial signs that a bedsore is developing

As discussed below, while bedsores that are identified and treated early will not have serious effects in most cases, the longer a bedsore goes untreated, the worse it can become. If a bedsore is left untreated for too long, it can potentially have life-threatening consequences. 

Understanding the Severity of Bedsores and Their Potential Consequences

Since bedsores get worse over time, doctors categorize bedsores in “Stages.” As summarized by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the five Stages of bedsores are:

• Stage 1 – Bedsores first appear “like a bruise on the skin.” Stage 1 bedsores may also burn or itch, and they may be warm to the touch. 
• Stage 2 – Bedsores are categorized in Stage 2 when they become open sores. These open sores can be painful for nursing home residents. 
• Stage 3 – Bedsores are categorized in Stage 3 when residents’ open sores deepen and look more “like a crater.” They remain painful at this stage, and the risk of infections and other complications increases. 
• Stage 4 – If left untreated for too long, the damage to a resident’s skin and underlying tissue can spread to the resident’s muscles and bones. Stage 4 bedsores present risks for serious complications, including osteomyelitis and sepsis. 
• Deep Tissue Injury – The worst bedsores can cause deep tissue injuries that present the risks discussed above and others. At this stage, “a hospital stay [may be necessary] to fight infection or surgery may be needed to add muscle flaps or skin grafts.” 

Not only do nursing homes have a legal duty to help prevent bedsores, but, when residents develop bedsores, nursing homes also have a legal duty to help ensure that the consequences are as limited as possible. Caregivers should be trained to both prevent and identify bedsores, and they should be under strict instructions to report any bedsores promptly. 

Understanding Residents’ and Families’ Legal Rights in Cases of Nursing Home Negligence 

Failure to prevent bedsores, failure to identify bedsores, and failure to assist residents who have developed bedsores are all common forms of nursing home negligence. In cases of nursing home negligence, residents and their families have clear legal rights. They have the right to hold the nursing home accountable, and they have the right to seek financial compensation for their medical bills and other financial and non-financial losses. 

They also have the right to legal representation. If you have a claim for nursing home negligence involving a bedsore, you can hire a lawyer at no out-of-pocket cost to you. To learn more, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. 

Schedule a FREE, No-Obligation Consultation with a Wisconsin Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer 

If you or a loved one developed a bedsore in a Wisconsin nursing home, we can help you understand your situation and make informed decisions about your next steps.

Studinski Law, LLC has helped clients across Wisconsin achieve justice in nursing home abuse and neglect cases. We understand the hardships you and your loved one may be facing, and we are committed to helping you move forward with dignity and confidence.

Contact Studinski Law, LLC today online or at (715) 343-2850 for a FREE case evaluation. We proudly represent clients in Marshfield, Plover, and throughout Wisconsin.