Are Bed Sores a Sign of Neglect? Causes and Legal Implications

Nursing homes should provide proper care, but bed sores often signal neglect. These painful wounds develop from inadequate repositioning, poor hygiene, and lack of attention.

While not all bed sores result from negligence, their presence can indicate substandard care and may have legal implications.

Facilities that fail to prevent or treat bed sores can be held accountable for violating care standards, potentially facing lawsuits.

At The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, we fight for families affected by nursing home neglect.

If your loved one has developed bed sores, you deserve answers—and we’re here to help.

What Are Bed Sores?

Bed sores, also called pressure sores, pressure injuries, or pressure ulcers, are wounds that develop when prolonged pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues.

Without enough circulation, the tissue starts to die, leading to painful, open wounds.

These sores often develop when a person is left in the same position for too long—something that should never happen in a properly staffed and attentive nursing home.

Stages of Bed Sore Development

Bedsores range from mild irritation to severe, life-threatening wounds.

●  Stage 1: Skin is red, warm, or discolored but still intact. The area may feel painful or itchy.

●  Stage 2: The top layer of skin breaks open, forming a shallow wound or blister.

●  Stage 3: The sore deepens, reaching fatty tissue below the skin. Infection risk increases.

●  Stage 4: The deepest stage, where the wound exposes muscle, bone, or tendons. These sores can cause life-threatening infections like sepsis.

Late-stage bed sores almost always indicate neglect. No resident should ever reach this point if proper care is in place.

Common Locations and Physical Impact

Bed sores usually develop on areas of the body where bones press against the skin, such as:

●  Lower back and tailbone

●  Heels and ankles

●  Hips and thighs

●  Elbows and shoulders

Beyond causing pain, bed sores can lead to severe complications like infections, sepsis, and even death. When left untreated, they can spiral out of control, putting a resident’s life at risk.

Why Do Bed Sores Happen?

Bed sores don’t just “happen.” Most are preventable with proper care. When they develop, it often points to failures within a nursing home.

Prolonged Pressure and Immobility

Residents who have limited mobility need help shifting positions regularly. If staff members fail to turn and reposition residents, pressure builds up, cutting off circulation. This is the most direct cause of bed sores—and one of the clearest signs of neglect.

Compromised Skin Integrity

Several factors make the skin more vulnerable to damage, including:

●  Poor Nutrition & Dehydration: Malnourished and dehydrated residents have fragile skin that breaks down faster.

●  Excess Moisture from Incontinence or Sweat: Skin exposed to urine, feces, or excessive moisture becomes irritated and weak, making it more prone to sores.

●  Friction & Shear: When a resident is dragged or improperly repositioned, it can tear the skin, leading to sores.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Certain health issues—like diabetes, vascular disease, and paralysis—can increase the risk of bed sores. But that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable.

With proper care, even high-risk residents can avoid them. Nursing homes have a responsibility to prevent bed sores, no matter the circumstances. If nursing staff are aware that a resident is at high risk for developing a pressure wound, staff have a heightened duty to implement interventions to reduce this risk.

Are Bed Sores a Sign of Nursing Home Neglect?

Yes, they can be. While not every bed sore is proof of neglect, late-stage sores, multiple wounds, or untreated infections should raise serious concerns.

Some clear signs of neglect include:

●  A resident developing multiple bed sores at different stages

●  Wounds worsening instead of healing

●  Lack of documentation about wound care and prevention measures

●  Poor hygiene and unclean wound dressings

●  Staff refusing to answer questions about your loved one’s condition

●  No observation of staff turning and repositioning your loved one at least every two hours.

Nursing homes are required to assess residents for bed sore risks and take preventive action. If they fail to do so, they may be legally responsible for the harm caused.

Legal Rights and Implications in Nebraska

Nursing home residents in Nebraska have legal rights that protect them from neglect, including the right to proper care and bed sore prevention.

Nursing homes have a duty of care to provide safe treatment. State laws require facilities to ensure residents receive adequate repositioning, hygiene, and medical attention.

If they breach this duty—by failing to prevent or treat bed sores—and a resident suffers harm, the facility may be liable for negligence.

A legal claim must show the nursing home had a duty, failed to meet it, and caused harm.

In some cases, bed sore injuries may lead to a nursing home malpractice claim if improper treatment worsens the condition. Victims may seek economic damages (medical costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering).

Filing a lawsuit requires gathering records, proving neglect, and seeking compensation. Legal counsel is critical—experienced attorneys help hold negligent facilities accountable.

Protect Nebraska Seniors from Neglect: Contact Us Today

If your loved one has suffered from bed sores in a nursing home, you don’t have to face this alone.

The Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Law Firm, powered by Reed Law Offices, PC, LLO, is dedicated to fighting for the rights of Nebraska’s seniors.

Call 402-933-0588 today for a confidential consultation. Your loved one deserves dignity, and we’re here to help you demand it.