Considering a Pressure Ulcer Lawsuit? 5 Questions That Help Families Decide What to Do Next

Finding out a loved one has a pressure ulcer can raise a ton of questions. You may feel angry, worried, and unsure what to believe, especially if the facility’s explanation feels vague or keeps changing.

If you are considering a pressure ulcer lawsuit, it usually means you are trying to answer one thing: Was this preventable with proper care? This guide walks through 5 practical questions that can help families sort through what happened and decide what to do next.

What a Pressure Injury Is (And Why Timing Matters)

Pressure ulcers, also called pressure injuries or bedsores, form when constant pressure reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue. They most often develop in people who cannot reposition themselves without help. Early-stage pressure injuries can look small or “just red,” but they can progress quickly when basic prevention breaks down.

And with this type of condition, timing matters because it helps clarify whether the injury was already present when care began or whether it developed after admission. Families may hear phrases like “present on admission” in records or during discussions. That’s one reason documentation and consistent charting can become such a big part of understanding accountability.

5 Questions to Ask Before Filing a Pressure Ulcer Lawsuit

If you are trying to figure out whether a pressure ulcer lawsuit makes sense, these questions can help you focus on the facts that matter most.

1) How severe is it, and when did it start?

Severity is one of the clearest signals of how much risk your loved one faced and how long the skin was under harmful pressure.

Start by asking:

• What stage is the pressure injury (Stage 1 through Stage 4, unstageable, or deep tissue injury)?
• When was it first noticed, and who noticed it?
• Was it documented right away, and did the documentation stay consistent over time?

If the facility cannot clearly explain when the injury began, or if the story changes from one conversation to the next, it’s worth escalating the situation. It can help to ask for the wound assessment notes, skin-check documentation, any photos that were taken, and the first incident report or change-of-condition note related to the injury.

2) Was there a prevention plan, and was it followed?

Many cases come down to routine, repeatable prevention. When a person is high risk, facilities typically use a care plan that covers basics like:

• Turning and repositioning on a schedule
• Offloading pressure with pillows, heel protectors, or specialized support surfaces
• Regular skin checks
• Moisture management for incontinence
• Nutrition and hydration support

But a prevention plan only protects someone if it is actually carried out.

To understand whether that happened, ask whether your loved one was assessed as high risk for skin breakdown, what repositioning schedule was ordered and where it is charted, whether a special mattress or cushion was used (and when it was put in place), and whether staffing issues made routine care inconsistent.

If you see patterns like missed turns, long delays in toileting help, or repeated reports of “they were too busy,” it’s a good idea to speak with a trusted attorney.

3) Did staff act quickly when early signs appeared?

Pressure injuries often give early warning signs. Skin may look persistently red, warmer, firmer, or more tender in one area. Those changes are a signal to intervene before the wound deepens.

It’s worthwhile to ask:

• When the first signs appeared, what changed in the care plan?
• Was a wound care consult ordered quickly?
• Were pressure-relieving steps added right away, or only after the injury worsened?
• Did the facility communicate the change to the family promptly?

Delays are important because they can turn a manageable situation into a serious medical problem. Families often see the same pattern: early symptoms get brushed off, and later the wound is described as “sudden” once it becomes severe.

4) Were you informed promptly, and do the records tell a consistent story?

Families deserve timely information when a loved one has a significant change in condition. When communication is slow, incomplete, or defensive, it becomes harder to trust the explanation.

Pay attention to:

• Whether you were told right away, or only learned after a visit or hospital transfer
• Whether staff provided clear details or relied on broad statements without specifics
• Whether the documentation supports what you were told

It can also help to ask for a complete copy of the records tied to skin checks and wound care. If the facility is slow with your record requests, provides partial paperwork, or refuses to explain gaps, that can be a warning sign.

5) Did the pressure ulcer lead to avoidable complications and costs?

Pressure ulcers can be painful and destabilizing. They can also lead to serious medical complications, especially in older adults or medically fragile patients.

Some complications families report include:

• Infections requiring antibiotics
• Worsening wounds that need debridement or surgery
• Extended hospitalization or rehab stays
• Sepsis or systemic infection
• Lasting mobility loss and increased care needs

These complications also bring real financial strain: hospital bills, specialized wound supplies, transportation, and increased caregiving needs.

If your loved one’s condition changed dramatically after the injury, it is reasonable to ask whether timely prevention and treatment could have reduced the harm.

5) Did the pressure ulcer lead to avoidable complications and costs?

Pressure ulcers can be painful and destabilizing. They can also lead to serious medical complications, especially in older adults or medically fragile patients.

Some complications families report include:

• Infections requiring antibiotics
• Worsening wounds that need debridement or surgery
• Extended hospitalization or rehab stays
• Sepsis or systemic infection
• Lasting mobility loss and increased care needs

These complications can also bring real financial strain, including hospital bills, specialized wound supplies, transportation, and the cost of extra care.

If your loved one’s condition changed after the injury, asking whether earlier prevention or faster treatment could have changed the outcome can force the facility to answer for their negligence.

Next Steps if You Suspect Neglect

Most families aren’t thinking about legal action at first. They’re trying to make sense of what happened and get a straight answer about when the injury started, what the facility did about it, and whether basic prevention was missed.

But when the facility won’t cooperate, it’s the right attorney who can push for answers, show where care may have fallen short, and clarify who may be responsible. For thousands of families, that firm is Morgan & Morgan.

If you suspect nursing home negligence, our team is always available for questions. Get started today with a free, no-risk case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are pressure ulcers always a sign of neglect?

Not always. Some people have complex medical conditions that make skin breakdown harder to prevent. That said, many pressure injuries are preventable when risk is identified early and basic prevention steps are followed consistently.

2. What evidence helps in a pressure ulcer lawsuit?

Records and timelines usually matter most. Helpful items include wound assessments, care plans, turning/repositioning documentation, risk assessments, photos, hospital transfer records, and written communication with the facility.

3. Who can be liable for nursing home bedsores or hospital-acquired pressure injuries?

Liability depends on the facts. It may involve the nursing home, a hospital, a corporate owner or management group, or contracted providers. A review of records and staffing responsibilities can help clarify where the breakdown occurred.

4. What compensation can a bedsore lawsuit cover?

Potential damages can include medical bills, additional care costs, pain and suffering, and complications that change quality of life. The available recovery depends on the situation and the applicable law in your state.