When a Preventable Bed Sore Turns Dangerous in a Nursing Home

Most families first hear of a bed sore without much context. It may be mentioned casually during a visit or described as a small area staff are monitoring, with little explanation of what that change in the skin could lead to. As time passes, what once was “nothing to worry about” becomes something much more serious, and families are often left trying to understand how something that seemed manageable moved so quickly into serious medical territory.

In nursing homes, bed sores follow a pattern. Early signs are often present before the injury becomes obvious, and the damage deepens when those signs are missed, minimized, or left unaddressed. What follows is a clear look at how bed sores tend to progress, where care often falls behind, and how to take action on a loved one’s behalf.

Bed Sores Don’t Start as Wounds

A bed sore, also called a pressure injury, forms when constant pressure reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue. This commonly affects people with limited mobility, who rely on others to help them move, reposition, or manage basic care.

Early signs are often subtle

In the earliest stage, the skin may not be broken at all. Common warning signs include:

• Redness or discoloration that does not fade after pressure is relieved
• Skin that feels warm, firm, or spongy to the touch
• Tenderness or pain when the area is pressed
• Changes in skin texture compared to surrounding areas

These changes can come and go, which is why they’re sometimes brushed off as irritation or a normal part of aging.

But this stage matters. Stage one pressure injuries are widely considered preventable with routine care. When early signs are overlooked or ignored, the window for simple prevention begins to close.

The Point Where Bed Sores Turn Dangerous

If bed sores are found early, treatment often heals the condition quickly. It’s when they’re left untreated and neglected that small rashes become serious, life-threatening complications. 

Hospitalization is often the turning point where families realize the full extent of the injury. What was once “a skin issue” is now a systemic threat. Recovery becomes longer and more uncertain. Some patients never fully regain the level of comfort or function they had before the wound developed.

Beyond the physical risks, advanced bed sores take an emotional toll. Pain, embarrassment, and loss of independence can weigh heavily on patients. For families, there is often guilt and anger, mixed with the question that lingers: how did it get this far?

Where the Nursing Home Should Have Intervened

Preventing bed sores does not require extraordinary measures. It requires consistency. In medical and long-term care settings, prevention is built around a few well-established practices.

Standard prevention measures include:

• Repositioning patients at regular intervals
• Performing routine skin inspections
• Keeping skin clean, dry, and protected from excess moisture
• Providing adequate nutrition and hydration
• Using pressure-relieving mattresses, cushions, or pads when needed

When these steps are neglected, the reasons often involve systemic problems: understaffing, poor communication between shifts, inadequate training, or a culture that treats early warning signs as low priority.

Steps Families Can Take When a Bed Sore Worsens

Discovering your loved one is suffering from a bed sore can feel overwhelming, especially when explanations are unclear or reassuring despite visible decline. Here are a few recommended steps families can take:

• Ask staff to explain the stage of the sore and the treatment plan
• Request that observations and concerns be documented in the medical record
• Take dated photos to track changes over time
• Request a wound care specialist or a second medical opinion
• Keep a written log of conversations and care updates

In situations where a loved one’s condition has progressed significantly, and the nursing home isn’t cooperating, families choose to speak with a law firm experienced in nursing home or medical neglect cases, like Morgan & Morgan.

When Accountability Becomes Part of the Conversation

How a facility responds to a resident’s bed sore says much about how they work behind the scenes. While not every medical outcome can be controlled, the progression of a bed sore is often preventable when early warning signs are spotted, taken seriously, and addressed.

For families, understanding that progression reframes the experience away from confusion or self-doubt and toward a more grounded question: where did care fall short, and when should things have changed?

When those questions point to preventable harm, Morgan & Morgan is there to help. Our team has spent decades standing up for people harmed by neglect in nursing homes, hospitals, and care facilities across the country. With more than 1,000 trial-ready attorneys and offices nationwide, we have the resources to hold any negligent nursing home accountable for abuse and mistreatment.

If you suspect a nursing home is mistreating your loved one, team up with America’s Largest Personal Injury Firm today for no upfront costs. Get started with a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes bed sores in nursing homes?

Bed sores are caused by prolonged pressure on the skin that limits blood flow, most often in people who cannot move or reposition themselves without help. In nursing homes, they may develop when routine repositioning, skin checks, nutrition, or moisture control fall short.

Are bed sores always preventable?

Many bed sores are considered preventable with consistent, basic care such as regular repositioning and skin monitoring. While some medical conditions increase risk, early-stage pressure injuries can often be stopped before they become serious.

How fast can a bed sore become dangerous?

A bed sore can worsen over days or weeks if pressure continues and early warning signs are missed. Once the skin breaks, the risk of infection and serious complications increases quickly.

When is a bed sore a sign of neglect?

A progressing bed sore may raise concerns about neglect when standard prevention measures were not followed, or warning signs were ignored. Medical records and timelines are often key to understanding whether the injury was avoidable.

What should families do if they notice a bed sore getting worse?

Families can ask for clear explanations of the sore’s stage and treatment plan, request documentation, and seek additional medical input if needed. Taking concerns seriously early can help protect a loved one’s health.

Can you take legal action for bed sores in a nursing home?

In some cases, families may pursue legal action if a preventable bed sore caused serious harm due to lapses in care. Our team can help clarify whether the situation meets that standard and what options may exist.