Bed sores, more accurately called pressure sores or pressure ulcers, are not just a side effect of being bed ridden. Medical facilities have the duty to prevent and/or minimize bed sores to the extent possible. Where a medical facility negligently fails to perform a skin care assessment upon admission of a patient, provide the proper preventative measures and/or provide treatment for bed sores, the patient or the patient’s family should seek legal representation. At Strellis & Field, we have successfully handled numerous bed sore cases against both hospitals and nursing home facilities.

Bed sores typically occur when there is consistent pressure on a particular part of the body. This constant pressure results in decreased blood flow to the area that, in turn, causes the tissue to break down and die. Though not restricted to these locations, the most common sites for bed sores are the Sacrum (triangular bone at the base of the spine), tailbone, ankles, elbows, and heels.

People who are in hospitals and/or nursing homes can be particularly susceptible to bed sores; however, bed sores can be prevented in many cases, and it is the duty of the medical facility to identify those most susceptible to bed sores and then to enact the proper safeguards to prevent and/or treat them. There are many treatments for bed sores that range from the most basic care of regular rotation and changing of patients positioning, proper nutrition and regular bathing to more specialized treatments.

If you or a loved one has experienced a bed sore due to the negligence of a medical facility, please call us at (312) 201-0000.