Pressure Sore Claims

You may be able to make a pressure sore claim if you or a loved one developed preventable pressure ulcers because a hospital, care home or healthcare professional failed to provide an acceptable standard of care. This may include failures to assess risk, reposition the patient, monitor the skin or provide prompt treatment.

Pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers or bed sores, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure or friction. They commonly affect areas such as the heels, hips, elbows, ankles and lower back, particularly in people with restricted mobility.

No. Some pressure sores may develop despite appropriate care, particularly where a patient is seriously unwell. However, negligence may be involved where recognised preventative measures were not followed, warning signs were ignored or treatment was unreasonably delayed.

Claims may arise from inadequate risk assessments, failures to reposition a patient regularly, unsuitable mattresses or cushions, poor nutrition or hydration, inadequate skin checks, delayed wound care, poor record keeping or failures to refer to a tissue viability specialist.

Yes. A claim may be possible where a care home or nursing home failed to identify that a resident was at risk, did not follow an appropriate care plan or failed to provide suitable monitoring, repositioning, nutrition, hydration or wound treatment.

You may have grounds for a hospital negligence claim if staff failed to assess your risk of developing pressure ulcers, provide appropriate pressure-relieving equipment, reposition you regularly or diagnose and treat the wounds promptly.

Severe pressure sores can cause significant pain, infection, permanent tissue damage and reduced mobility. In serious cases, complications may include cellulitis, bone infection, sepsis, surgery, amputation or death.

Compensation may cover pain and suffering, additional medical treatment, specialist nursing care, rehabilitation, equipment, travel expenses, loss of earnings and future care needs. The value of a claim will depend on the severity of the sores and their impact on the person’s health and quality of life.

Your solicitor will usually obtain medical records, care plans, repositioning charts, wound photographs, risk assessments and nursing notes. Independent wound care or tissue viability experts may then assess whether the pressure sores should have been prevented or treated sooner.

In some circumstances, a family member may bring a claim on behalf of an adult who lacks mental capacity. A claim may also be possible through the estate where pressure sore negligence contributed to the death of a loved one.

In most cases, court proceedings must be started within three years of the negligent care or the date you first became aware that negligence may have caused the injury. Different rules may apply where a person lacks mental capacity, so early legal advice is recommended.

Many pressure sore negligence claims are resolved through negotiation without a full court hearing. If court proceedings become necessary, your solicitor will explain each stage and support you throughout the process.

No Win No Fee funding, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, may be available for suitable pressure sore claims. Wollens can assess your circumstances and explain the funding options, potential costs and any applicable deductions before you decide whether to proceed.