There are varying degrees of injury someone can suffer from bedsores. If you discovered that a loved one suffered bedsores while under the care of nursing staff, you could potentially be compensated for the harm your family member suffered. A nursing home bedsore attorney can help you understand bedsore stages 1-4 and your options for pursuing a fair settlement or court verdict.
What Are the Four Stages of Bedsores?
When someone is treated for bed sores, a healthcare provider may examine the sores to classify them based on the severity of the injury.
In the United States, over 2.5 million people develop pressure ulcers every year, and this type of injury is highly preventable. There are four established stages for bedsores.
- Stage 1: This is the earliest stage of a bedsore and may indicate that prolonged pressure has begun damaging the underlying tissue. The skin remains intact but develops persistent redness or discoloration that does not fade when pressure is applied. Early intervention can often prevent the injury from worsening.
- Stage 2: At this stage, the wound is more vulnerable to infection and typically requires prompt medical attention and pressure relief. The outer layer of skin breaks down, resulting in a shallow open sore or blister.
- Stage 3: At this more advanced stage, the bedsore extends through the full thickness of the skin, exposing underlying fat tissue. These wounds are deeper, heal more slowly, and often require extensive wound care to prevent serious complications.
- Stage 4: The most severe stage involves full-thickness tissue loss with exposed muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, or bone. Stage 4 pressure injuries carry a high risk of infection, hospitalization, and other life-threatening complications.
Many nursing home residents in the United States experience abuse or neglect, and bedsores are a potential symptom that someone is not receiving adequate treatment and care. With legal support, families of abused or neglected nursing home residents can hold the at-fault individual or group accountable for failing to prevent bedsores and other injuries.
When Can a Bedsore Be Evidence of Nursing Home Neglect?
Every year, roughly 13.2 million seniors 65 and older require treatment in a hospital. In Ohio, that could mean a trip to Cleveland Clinic Main Campus or University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center for bedsore treatments. Nursing home residents who have limited mobility rely on staff and nurses to reposition them and keep their skin clean and dry. Without proper monitoring, seniors at these homes can develop preventable injuries like bedsores.
When caregivers fail to provide an adequate standard of care, they can be held liable for the harm they allow to happen. In certain cases, the owner or owners of the nursing home could also be financially liable for these incidents. Families may notice that their loved one experiences weight loss, poor hygiene, untreated infections, dehydration, or lack of timely medical attention. These types of injuries can become infected and cause significant pain.
Why You Should Hire a Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyer
Whether your loved one is being watched in downtown Cleveland, Tremont, Industrial Valley, or elsewhere in Ohio, your top priority should be to hire a nursing home bedsore lawyer who understands the state’s nursing home bedsore laws and how to manage complex nursing home bedsore cases.
Support from a nursing home bedsore attorney can play a key role in holding the at-fault party accountable for the harm you endured. Spangenberg Shibley & Liber can provide you with the focused support your case deserves. Our trial-ready litigators bring decades of experience and a track record of securing high-value settlements and court verdicts.
Contact Spangenberg Shibley & Liber Today
Pressure ulcers are often preventable when nursing homes provide attentive care, timely medical treatment, and appropriate supervision. When a facility fails to meet its legal obligations, residents can suffer devastating and life-threatening injuries.
Since 1946, Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has represented victims of serious negligence, recovering more than $1 billion* through settlements and verdicts. Our attorneys understand how to investigate nursing home neglect. If your loved one developed preventable bedsores, contact our experienced legal team to discuss your legal options.
*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.
