What to Do If You Suspect Your Loved One Has Bedsores

When someone you love is no longer able to care for themselves, trust becomes part of the arrangement. 

You trust that the people responsible for their day-to-day needs are paying attention to the small things and addressing your loved one’s needs as they arise. You also trust that, when a situation does occur, they know how to handle it correctly, and they continue to follow up, ensuring your loved one recovers properly.

Discovering that someone has broken that trust and that your loved one has suffered because of it can shake many people to their core, especially when it’s something preventable, like bedsores. This guide is meant to help you understand what bedsores are, how they typically form, and what steps you can take if you believe a breakdown in care may have harmed your loved one.

What Everyday Pressure Care Is Supposed to Look Like

For people who can’t easily move or care for themselves, special care is woven into the day's rhythm. It unfolds through repeated acts of attention, carried across meals, bathing, periods of rest, and the quieter hours of the night.

At its core, this kind of care is about noticing, noticing how long someone has been in one position, whether their skin looks different than it did yesterday, whether discomfort is being addressed or quietly endured. When that attention is steady, small problems tend to stay small.

Proper pressure care often includes:

• Regular repositioning for anyone who spends long periods in bed or a chair
• Routine skin checks during bathing, dressing, or toileting
• Keeping skin clean and dry, especially after episodes of incontinence
• Making sure nutrition and hydration needs are being met
• Using mattresses, cushions, or supports designed to reduce pressure on vulnerable areas

When these processes are carried out with consistency, bed sores are far less likely to form or worsen without being noticed.

How Bedsores Take Shape When Routines Slip

Pressure injuries develop gradually. When the same area of skin bears weight for too long, blood flow slows. Tissue becomes stressed, then fragile, and eventually begins to break down.

Early changes appear as redness or slight discoloration of the skin. The skin may feel warmer, firmer, or more sensitive than usual. As daily routines become inconsistent, the strain adds up.

Over days and weeks, those small gaps compound into a much more serious scenario. By the time a wound is visible, the injury has usually been forming, and the person suffering, for some time. 

The timeline of a bedsore sheds light on the negligent practices behind the scenes that led to its formation. Every opportunity to remedy the situation staff members missed becomes evidence in a larger case, one that allows your family to hold the nursing home accountable and recover compensation.

5 Signals That Care Protocols May Not Be Followed

Families are often the first to notice when something begins to feel “off.” Questions often stem from details that don’t fully line up, such as:

1. A wound that seems to appear without warning
2. Explanations that change from one visit or conversation to the next
3. Sparse or unclear documentation around skin checks or repositioning
4. Treatment that begins after visible damage has already set in
5. Descriptions of an injury as “unavoidable” without clear context about the care that was provided

These details may surface gradually and in different ways. Over time, they can identify areas of routine care that warrant a closer look.

What You Can Do When the System Falls Short

Suspecting a breakdown in care often leaves families unsure what to do next. Some practical ways to stay involved and protect your loved one’s well-being include:

• Ask staff to explain repositioning routines, skin assessments, and wound care plans in plain terms
• Request access to care notes, charts, or other documentation related to pressure care
• Keep a personal record of observations, including dates, changes in condition, and conversations with caregivers
• Photograph visible wounds when appropriate, creating a clear timeline of how an injury appears over time
• Seek an outside medical evaluation to better understand the severity of the injury and recommended care

In some situations, families also choose to speak with an attorney. A legal review can help determine whether care standards were followed and assist with preserving records while questions remain.

When Questions About Care Need Answers

When concerns about bedsores linger, families are often left carrying unanswered questions alongside the day-to-day responsibility of caring for someone they love. It can be difficult to know where those questions should go or who can help sort through what happened.

But that’s why attorneys exist: To help those facing a complicated legal situation find a swift and efficient resolution, while keeping their loved ones’ interests protected. It’s in these difficult moments that the right law firm, like Morgan & Morgan, can make a meaningful difference in a family’s story.

If you suspect a nursing home’s negligence led to your loved one’s injury, our team is here to help uncover the truth. Get started today with a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first if I think my loved one has bedsores?

Start by paying close attention and documenting what you see. Note where the injury is located, when you first noticed it, and whether it appears to be changing over time. If possible, take photographs and ask staff for an explanation of how the injury is being treated. 

Are bedsores a sign of neglect in nursing homes or hospitals?

Not every bedsore is caused by neglect, but many are considered preventable with proper care. Because pressure injuries are closely tied to routine tasks like repositioning and skin checks, their presence often raises questions about whether accepted standards of care were followed. 

More advanced bedsores, in particular, may signal that early warning signs were missed or not addressed.

How serious are bedsores, and can they get worse?

Bedsores can range from mild skin irritation to deep wounds that affect muscle and bone. Without prompt and consistent care, they can worsen over time and lead to infection, pain, and long-term complications.

Should I photograph or document my loved one’s bedsore?

Yes, keeping a personal record can be very helpful. Photographs, dated notes, and written summaries of conversations with caregivers can provide a clearer picture of when and how the injury developed. 

This information can be useful for medical follow-up and, if needed, for reviewing whether proper care was provided.

When should I consider legal action for bedsores?

Legal guidance may be appropriate when a bedsore is severe, worsening, or poorly explained, or when records and answers from a care facility don’t seem to align with what you’re observing. 

What can a lawyer actually help with in a bedsore case?

An attorney can review medical records, care plans, and facility documentation to understand how the injury developed. Our team can help preserve evidence, explain whether care standards were followed, and outline possible next steps.