Bedsores in Nursing Homes

Columbus Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Helping You

When you trust your loved one to someone else's care, discovering they are not treated with the attention and kindness they deserve can feel overwhelming. Every nursing home resident should receive competent care. If a facility or staff member fails to deliver that care, they can be held responsible for the consequences of their actions. One of the most common results of physical negligence or abuse in a nursing home is the development of bedsores. Bedsores are painful and can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. If you or a loved one has suffered bedsores due to nursing home abuse, we want to help.

Our Columbus bedsore injury attorneys at Rourke & Blumenthal are committed advocates for victims of abuse. With over 150 years of combined legal experience, our firm brings the skill and knowledge that can make a difference for you and your family. We have secured more than $300 million for our clients and look forward to guiding you through your legal journey.

Bedsores develop when a person who is bedridden cannot move for extended periods. Too much pressure on areas where bones are close to the skin, such as the hips or tailbone, causes sensitive spots that eventually damage the skin and tissues underneath.

Like with burn injuries, there are different stages of bedsores, including:

• Stage 1 bedsores are not open wounds, but the skin is often red, painful, and warm to the touch.
• Stage 2 bedsores involve broken skin or look like a scrape or blister. They can develop into painful ulcers, sometimes causing skin tissue to die.
• Stage 3 bedsores become much worse in appearance and pain. The soft tissue beneath the skin suffers significant damage, creating crater-like, open sores.
• Stage 4 bedsores become very deep, often extending to muscle or bone. At this stage, the damage can be so advanced that the patient may not feel pain because the underlying tissue has died.

Bedsores most often appear along the spine, buttocks, shoulder blades, back of the head, or hips—any place where a person rests their weight for long periods. These wounds can also lead to severe complications, including infections.

Early Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

Before bedsores reach an advanced stage, there are red flags that families in Columbus can spot during visits. Look for persistent redness that does not fade after relieving pressure, shiny or unusually warm skin over bony areas, complaints of tingling or numbness, and changes in mood tied to pain during repositioning. Document what you see with dates and photos. Share concerns in writing with the charge nurse and request a care plan update. Quick action can prevent progression from a Stage 1 sore to a deeper ulcer that requires intensive treatment.

How Ohio Nursing Homes Should Prevent Bedsores

Facilities have a duty to use basic prevention steps for residents at risk. Standard measures include scheduled repositioning every two hours, pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions, routine skin checks with charting, keeping skin clean and dry, and adequate hydration and nutrition. Many facilities use the Braden Scale to assess risk and tailor care plans. When these steps are skipped due to understaffing or poor training, preventable injuries occur. Our Columbus bedsore attorney team reviews staffing logs, care plans, turning schedules, wound notes, and photos to show how nursing home neglect led to harm.

What To Do If You Suspect Neglect

If you notice potential bedsores, ask for an immediate wound assessment and wound care consult. Request copies of relevant records, including care plans, repositioning charts, and incident reports. Consider reporting serious concerns to the Ohio Department of Health, which oversees nursing home inspections and investigates complaints. Timely medical attention and proper documentation can improve outcomes and strengthen a potential claim for compensation related to nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect.

How Do Bedsores Develop in Nursing Homes?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that up to one in ten nursing home residents develops bedsores. These painful ulcers form when a bedridden person is not repositioned often enough, which can happen if staff or caregivers neglect their duties. Whether spending most of the day in bed, on a couch, or in a wheelchair, the resident needs frequent movement to prevent pressure from building up.

Ohio law requires nursing homes to meet specific care standards for residents. Columbus facilities must comply with both state and federal rules that require routine skin checks and consistent repositioning of residents at risk of developing bedsores. When nursing homes in Franklin County fail to teach staff proper techniques or miss early warning signs, they put residents in danger. In our work with families throughout the area, we see close communication between caregivers, residents, and loved ones play a large part in preventing minor concerns from turning into serious medical issues.

Who May Be Liable?

If a nurse, doctor, or caretaker fails to provide adequate attention to bedridden patients, bedsores can easily develop. At-risk residents should use foam padding or pillows to relieve pressure, always have clean and dry clothing and bedding, and receive attentive care.

Sometimes, bedsores occur even when a patient seems to receive proper care. Even so, caregivers must make sure that the patient gets medical attention so the wounds do not get worse. Failing to monitor a resident or provide timely care is just as serious as causing the initial injury.

Establishing legal responsibility for bedsores depends on the decisions and practices of the care team and facility leadership. Ohio courts review whether the nursing home followed accepted risk assessment protocols to reduce the possibility of bedsores. The Ohio Department of Health investigates complaints about neglect in Columbus-area facilities, and their findings can factor into a claim. In certain cases, administrators, nursing staff, and even corporate owners may all play a role, depending on the facility's operations and oversight.

Next Steps If You Suspect Neglect or Discover Bedsores

If you find bedsores on a loved one in a nursing home, act quickly to protect their health and safeguard their rights. Begin by taking clear, dated photographs of the wounds and keeping written notes on their condition and location. Notify the facility administrator immediately and request details on their care procedures and how they monitor skin health. Ask for a review of the care plan and copies of care records to track changes. In Columbus, you can also report suspected neglect to the Ohio Department of Health, which may review complaints at local facilities. Thorough documentation and promptly addressing your concerns can strengthen your case and encourage prompt action from the facility. Because Ohio laws set deadlines for legal filings, reach out to a trusted bedsore attorney in Columbus if you have questions about your family member's rights.

Ohio Nursing Home Regulations & Protective Agencies

All Columbus nursing homes must follow Ohio state laws that protect residents from injury and neglect. The Ohio Department of Health inspects facilities, investigates complaints, and enforces care standards for long-term care homes. When you file a complaint about bedsores or possible negligence in a Franklin County facility, the Department carries out investigations that may include site visits, interviews, and a review of records. Their findings could impact a facility’s license or result in new requirements to protect residents. The Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program also offers resources and advocacy for residents and families involved in disputes about nursing home care. If you understand your rights and how these agencies function, you can make more informed choices about your loved one’s care and the remedies available if an issue arises.

Fight Back against Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Bedsores can be extremely painful and, in some cases, cause serious infections or lead to aggressive cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma. If your loved one developed bedsores and you believe a nursing home is at fault, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Our team at Rourke & Blumenthal in Columbus may be able to help you pursue compensation for damages, including medical costs and pain and suffering.

Ohio law sets firm deadlines for families who want to pursue legal claims against nursing homes or care facilities. The statute of limitations for bedsore injury cases in Columbus is usually one or two years from the date when the injury happened or was discovered. Starting early helps preserve evidence and build a strong case. If you suspect neglect, document the condition with photographs, save all medical records, and consider filing a complaint with the Ohio Department of Health. Careful documentation and fast action help protect your family's rights under state law.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for a bedsore lawsuit in Ohio?

The statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit related to bedsores in Ohio is generally one or two years from the date the injury occurred or should have been discovered. Consulting with an attorney quickly ensures you meet the legal deadlines.

Can family members report suspected nursing home neglect in Columbus?

Yes, family members can report suspected neglect or abuse to the Ohio Department of Health or the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman. These agencies review complaints and may investigate to protect residents’ rights.

What evidence should I collect if I suspect bedsores from neglect?

It helps to take clear, dated photographs of all wounds, keep written records of conversations with staff, and save any relevant medical records or care plans. Detailed documentation provides crucial support if you pursue legal action or file a complaint.

How quickly can a bedsore develop in a nursing home?

Bedsores can begin forming in as little as a few hours when pressure is not relieved, especially for residents with limited mobility, poor nutrition, or incontinence. Consistent repositioning and skin checks are critical.

Is a bedsore always proof of negligence?

Not always, but advanced or multiple sores are often linked to lapses in care. We evaluate whether prevention protocols were followed and whether the facility responded promptly once a wound was identified.

Your Next Step For A Safer Recovery In Columbus

Swift action can stop a worsening bedsore and hold a negligent nursing home accountable. Our Columbus bedsore lawyer team can intervene quickly, secure records, and coordinate specialists to protect your loved one’s health and legal rights.

Call (614) 321-3212 or send a confidential message to schedule your free consultation today.