Bedsores & Pressure Ulcers Lawyer CA, AZ & NV

Bedsores Are Not an Accident — They Are a Failure of Care

When a nursing home resident develops a bedsore — also called a pressure ulcer or pressure injury — it is almost never an unavoidable medical event. It is the result of a facility failing to do the basic things it is paid to do: reposition immobile residents, keep skin clean and dry, provide adequate nutrition and hydration, and respond to early warning signs before a minor skin breakdown becomes a catastrophic wound.

Bedsores are staged from Stage I (reddened, intact skin) to Stage IV (full-thickness tissue loss exposing bone, muscle, or tendon). By the time a sore reaches Stage III or IV, the damage is often irreversible, painful, and life-threatening. Sepsis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), and death are real consequences of advanced pressure injuries.

Justice 4 Elders has secured $1.4 million for a nursing home bedsore case and $1.25 million for a pressure ulcer case. We know what these injuries look like, what causes them, and how to hold facilities accountable.

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win. Call (866) 654-4857. Available 24/7.

What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Homes?

Pressure ulcers develop when sustained pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue, causing the tissue to die. The areas most commonly affected are bony prominences: tailbone (sacrum), hips, heels, elbows, shoulders, and the back of the head.

The primary causes in a nursing home setting are:

• Failure to reposition: Immobile or bedbound residents must be repositioned at least every two hours. When staff skip this basic care, pressure builds and tissue begins to die within hours.
• Inadequate skin assessment: Certified nursing assistants should inspect residents' skin during every care interaction. Early-stage pressure injuries are easily treated when caught — and devastating when missed.
• Poor nutrition and hydration: Malnutrition and dehydration thin the skin and reduce its ability to heal. A resident who is not eating or drinking enough is at dramatically higher risk.
• Moisture and incontinence: Urine and feces break down skin integrity. Residents left in soiled briefs or sheets develop moisture-associated skin damage that accelerates pressure ulcer formation.
• Friction and shear: Dragging a resident across a bed or chair instead of lifting them causes friction injuries that compound pressure damage.
• Medical device pressure: Oxygen tubing, catheters, splints, and other devices can cause pressure injuries when not properly padded and monitored.

Every single one of these causes traces back to a staffing or training failure. The facility either didn't have enough staff, didn't train them properly, or didn't supervise them adequately. That is negligence, and it is actionable.

The Four Stages of Pressure Ulcers

Understanding the staging system helps families recognize severity and document injuries for legal claims.

Stage I — Non-blanchable Erythema Skin appears red (or purple/blue in darker skin tones) and does not turn white when pressed. The area may feel warmer, firmer, or softer than surrounding tissue. This is the earliest sign of pressure damage and is fully reversible with proper care.

Stage II — Partial-Thickness Skin Loss The top layer of skin (epidermis) and part of the second layer (dermis) are damaged, creating a shallow open wound or blister. Still treatable, but requires immediate intervention.

Stage III — Full-Thickness Skin Loss The ulcer extends through all layers of skin into the subcutaneous fat tissue. It may look like a crater. Infection risk is high. Surgical intervention may be needed. This stage indicates prolonged neglect.

Stage IV — Full-Thickness Tissue Loss The wound extends through skin, fat, and into muscle, bone, tendon, or joint. Risk of osteomyelitis (bone infection) and sepsis is severe. These wounds are often life-threatening and may never fully heal.

Unstageable: The wound bed is covered by dead tissue (eschar or slough) so the depth cannot be determined. These are almost always Stage III or IV underneath.

Deep Tissue Pressure Injury (DTPI): Purple or maroon localized area of intact skin or blood-filled blister caused by damage to underlying tissue. Often a sign of significant pressure injury.

If your loved one has a Stage III, Stage IV, unstageable, or deep tissue pressure injury, that is strong evidence of prolonged neglect. Call us at (866) 654-4857 immediately.

Where Bedsores Develop on the Body

Pressure injuries most commonly form on areas where bones are close to the skin surface:

• Sacrum/tailbone (most common site in seated or supine residents)
• Heels (especially for bedbound residents)
• Hips (greater trochanter)
• Ischial tuberosity (sit bones, for residents who sit for long periods)
• Elbows
• Shoulders (scapula)
• Back of the head (occiput)
• Ears (from oxygen tubing or side-lying positions)
• Ankles and feet

Multiple sores in multiple locations indicates a systemic failure of care — not an isolated incident.

Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

You cannot rely on nursing home staff to tell you that your loved one developed a bedsore. Many facilities minimize, hide, or misrepresent pressure injuries. Watch for:

• Red or purple marks on bony areas that don't go away within 30 minutes of repositioning
• Open wounds, blisters, or craters on the skin
• Dark or blackened skin (eschar/necrotic tissue)
• Foul-smelling drainage from a wound
• Your loved one complaining of pain in a specific area when touched or moved
• Staff reluctance to let you see the resident's back, sacrum, or heels during visits
• Sudden changes in behavior — withdrawal, agitation, or refusal to eat (which can indicate pain or developing sepsis)
• Unexplained fever (a sign of infection from an advanced wound)

If you see any of these signs, take photos if possible, ask the nursing director to document it in writing, and call an attorney. The facility's insurance company has already started building their defense — you need someone building your case.

Prevention Standards Nursing Homes Must Follow

Federal regulations (42 CFR § 483.25) require nursing homes to ensure that residents entering the facility without pressure sores do not develop them unless clinically unavoidable, and that residents with existing pressure sores receive treatment to promote healing and prevent infection. This means:

• A pressure ulcer risk assessment (Braden Scale or similar) within 24 hours of admission
• A skin assessment on admission and at regular intervals
• A repositioning schedule documented in the care plan (typically every 2 hours for bedbound, every 1 hour for chairbound)
• Pressure-relieving support surfaces (mattresses, cushions) for at-risk residents
• Nutritional assessment and intervention for residents at risk
• Incontinence management — prompt changing, barrier creams, skin care protocols
• Staff training on pressure ulcer prevention and early identification
• Documentation of all skin assessments, interventions, and wound progress

When a facility fails to implement these standards and a resident develops a pressure injury, the facility is liable for the resulting harm.

State-Specific Resources

California

• Report nursing home neglect: California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — 1-800-236-9747
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-231-4024
• CDPH Licensing and Certification Program handles complaints

Arizona

• Report nursing home neglect: Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) — 1-602-364-2140
• Adult Protective Services (APS): 1-866-721-4357
• Arizona Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-866-986-5212

Nevada

• Report nursing home neglect: Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health — 1-775-684-1030
• Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD): 1-888-729-0571
• Nevada Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-702-486-3545

Case Results

• $1,400,000 — Nursing Home Bedsore: A nursing home resident developed severe pressure ulcers due to inadequate repositioning and wound care. The facility failed to follow the care plan and did not notify the family or physician when the wounds progressed.
• $1,250,000 — Nursing Home Pressure Ulcer: A resident developed multiple Stage III and IV pressure injuries. The facility's staffing levels were inadequate, skin assessments were not documented, and the care plan was not followed.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its individual facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bedsore be a sign of nursing home neglect?

Yes. In most cases, Stage III and IV pressure ulcers are preventable and indicate that the facility failed to provide basic care — repositioning, skin assessment, nutrition, and hygiene. A facility that claims a Stage IV ulcer was "unavoidable" is almost always deflecting responsibility.

How fast do bedsores develop?

A pressure ulcer can begin forming in as little as 2-6 hours of sustained pressure. Stage I redness can appear within hours; by 24-48 hours of unrelieved pressure, significant tissue damage can occur. This is why repositioning every two hours is the standard of care.

What should I do if I find a bedsore on my loved one?

Document it (photos if possible), request that the nursing director assess and document it, ask for the wound care plan, and contact an elder abuse attorney immediately. Do not wait for the facility to "handle it" — facilities often minimize injuries and delay treatment.

How long do I have to file a bedsore lawsuit?

Statutes of limitations vary by state:

• California: 1 year from discovery (elder abuse under Welfare & Institutions Code § 15657.5); 2 years for personal injury
• Arizona: 2 years from injury discovery
• Nevada: 2 years from injury discovery

Consult an attorney promptly — deadlines can be shorter than expected and evidence disappears quickly.

How much does it cost to hire a bedsore lawyer?

Justice 4 Elders works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case. No upfront costs, no hourly fees.

Contact

You Pay Nothing Unless We Win. Available 24/7.

If your loved one developed bedsores or pressure ulcers in a nursing home or care facility, contact Justice 4 Elders today. We serve families across California, Arizona, and Nevada from offices in Glendale, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

• Phone: (866) 654-4857
• Offices: Glendale, CA · Phoenix, AZ · Las Vegas, NV

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