When families entrust a loved one to a nursing home, they expect professional care that protects their comfort and dignity. Yet one of the clearest and most painful signs of neglect remains far too common: bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers.

Bedsores are not just skin irritations. They are medical injuries that develop when residents are left immobile for too long without proper repositioning, hygiene, or nutrition. In many cases, they are entirely preventable—and when they occur, it’s often because a facility has failed in its most basic duty of care.

For families in Cleveland, Ohio, and across the country, understanding how and why bedsores form can help identify nursing home neglect early—and hold those responsible accountable.

What Are Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers)?

A bedsore, or pressure ulcer, is a wound that develops when prolonged pressure cuts off circulation to the skin and underlying tissues. The most common areas affected are those where bone lies close to the surface, including:

• Heels and ankles
• Hips and buttocks
• Lower back or tailbone
• Elbows and shoulders

Without consistent movement, moisture control, and nutrition, skin begins to die, leading to painful and dangerous open wounds that can become infected.

The Stages of Bedsores

The medical community classifies bedsores into four stages based on severity:

• Stage 1: Redness or discoloration that doesn’t fade when pressed. Skin remains intact but irritated.
• Stage 2: The top layer of skin breaks, creating blisters or shallow sores.
• Stage 3: Deeper tissue damage appears, forming a crater-like wound.
• Stage 4: Extensive damage to muscles, tendons, or even bone, often accompanied by infection and necrosis.

Stage 3 and Stage 4 bedsores are considered “never events” by healthcare standards—meaning they should never happen in a properly run facility.

Why Bedsores Are a Sign of Neglect

Healthy skin requires movement, cleanliness, and nutrition—all things a nursing home is responsible for maintaining. When bedsores appear, it often indicates systemic failures such as:

1. Lack of Repositioning

Residents who are bedridden or use wheelchairs must be repositioned every two hours to relieve pressure points. When staff fail to do this, sores develop quickly.

2. Poor Hygiene

Sweat, urine, and feces weaken skin and make it prone to breakdown. Facilities that neglect bathing or quick cleanup after accidents are placing residents at risk.

3. Malnutrition and Dehydration

Malnourished residents heal more slowly and are more vulnerable to skin breakdown. When nutrition is poor, bedsores become inevitable.

4. Inadequate Staffing

Understaffed facilities often leave residents sitting or lying for hours without attention. This is one of the leading causes of pressure ulcers in nursing homes.

5. Lack of Training

Staff who are not trained to identify early-stage pressure injuries often miss the window for prevention.

Each of these failures represents negligence—a breach of the nursing home’s duty to provide adequate and attentive care.

Ohio and Federal Regulations on Bedsore Prevention

Both federal and Ohio state laws set clear standards for preventing pressure ulcers.

Under the Nursing Home Reform Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395i-3), facilities must ensure that:

• Residents do not develop pressure sores unless medically unavoidable;
• Residents with existing sores receive proper treatment to promote healing and prevent infection.

In Ohio, Administrative Code 3701-17-09 reinforces these obligations, requiring:

• Regular skin assessments;
• Individualized care plans for at-risk residents;
• Documentation of repositioning and wound care;
• Immediate medical attention when a bedsore is detected.

Failure to comply can result in state citations, fines, and civil liability for neglect.

Health Risks and Complications

Untreated bedsores can cause life-threatening conditions, including:

• Sepsis: A bloodstream infection that can lead to organ failure.
• Cellulitis: A painful skin infection that spreads quickly.
• Osteomyelitis: Infection that reaches the bone.
• Gangrene: Tissue death requiring amputation.

For elderly residents, these complications can be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pressure ulcers contribute to tens of thousands of nursing home deaths each year in the U.S.

Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

Families visiting loved ones can often spot early indicators of neglect. Warning signs include:

• Red or darkened areas on the skin that don’t fade when pressed;
• Bandages or wounds that staff can’t explain;
• Foul-smelling or draining wounds;
• Complaints of pain or burning sensations;
• Soiled bedding or poor hygiene;
• Staff who seem rushed, unresponsive, or dismissive of concerns.

If staff refuse to let you view a wound or avoid questions about care, it may be a sign of concealment or ongoing neglect.

Steps Families Should Take in Ohio

If you suspect your loved one has developed bedsores in a nursing home, immediate action is crucial.

1. Seek Medical Evaluation
   Request an independent physician or wound care specialist to assess the injury’s severity.
2. Document Everything
   Photograph wounds, note dates, and record all staff communications.
3. Obtain Medical and Facility Records
   Request copies of repositioning logs, care plans, and incident reports.
4. Report the Neglect
   Contact the Ohio Department of Health (1-800-342-0553) to file a formal complaint, or submit online via odh.ohio.gov.
5. Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman
   The Ohio Ombudsman Program (1-800-282-1206) can intervene and investigate complaints of neglect.
6. Consult an Experienced Attorney
   A nursing home neglect lawyer can help prove liability and seek justice for your loved one.

Proving Legal Negligence in Bedsore Cases

To hold a facility accountable, your attorney must show:

1. Duty of Care: The nursing home was obligated to prevent and treat pressure sores.
2. Breach of Duty: The facility failed to reposition, monitor, or provide timely care.
3. Causation: This failure directly caused the injury or worsened its severity.
4. Damages: The resident suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm.

Evidence often includes:

• Medical records and wound progression reports;
• Staffing schedules;
• Witness statements from employees or residents;
• Inspection reports or prior violations.

Facilities that repeatedly violate pressure ulcer prevention standards often show a pattern of systemic neglect.

Compensation for Victims and Families

Victims of nursing home neglect due to bedsores may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses and wound treatment;
• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Disability or loss of mobility;
• Wrongful death damages (if the resident passes away);
• Punitive damages for gross negligence.

These claims not only bring justice to affected families but also push facilities to improve care standards statewide.

How Michael Hill Helps Families

Attorney Michael Hill, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has extensive experience handling nursing home neglect cases involving pressure ulcers. He understands that these injuries are rarely isolated events—they are symptoms of systemic failure.

Michael and his team:

• Investigate facility policies, staffing levels, and wound care records;
• Consult with medical experts to assess preventability;
• File complaints with state regulators and pursue civil claims;
• Seek compensation for victims and their families;
• Push for changes that improve care for all residents.

Michael’s commitment to protecting the elderly is rooted in compassion, persistence, and an unwavering belief in accountability.

Conclusion

Bedsores are among the clearest indicators of nursing home neglect. When residents are left unattended, unclean, or malnourished, their skin—and their dignity—suffer.

No family should accept a facility’s claim that these injuries are “unavoidable.” In most cases, they are the result of preventable neglect.

If your loved one has developed bedsores in a nursing home, Attorney Michael Hill can help. With deep experience in elder neglect cases across Ohio and nationwide, he works to uncover the truth, seek justice, and ensure that seniors receive the care and respect they deserve.