Claim for Pressure Sores

Thousands of people develop pressure sores also known as bed sores each year while in hospital or private nursing care. Most people don`t realise that they can claim compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the pressure sores and accordingly pressure sore or bed sore claims are increasing as people become aware that they are entitled to claim compensation for their pain and suffering.

In most cases pressure sores or bed sores as they are commonly known are avoidable with proper risk assessment and nursing care. The care provider should carry out risk assessments and put in place a care plan to prevent pressure sores occurring. If they do not assess the risk properly or fail to implement a plan to reduce the risk, there may be grounds to make a compensation claim for pressure sores.

Older people and those with dementia and medical conditions such as diabetes or MS are most at risk, but sores can affect anyone who is immobile for any length of time.

There are 4 Types of Pressure Sores

Pressure sores are graded according to their severity. They are referred to as Grade or Stage 1-4. Grade 1 is minor, while grade 4 is considered to be extremely serious and can be life threatening.

Grade/Stage 1 Pressure Sore

This is the start of the pressure sore and the first signs are usually a reddening of the skin. The area affected may feel warmer than usual and it may cause some pain or an itchy sensation.

Grade/Stage 2 Pressure Sore

The skin in this case has lost some of its thickness as damage has been done to the top layers of the skin. It may resemble a blister in appearance.

Grade/Stage 3 Pressure Sore

Much of the skin’s thickness will have been lost with this type of sore, resulting in the skin breaking down and an open wound appearing.

Grade/Stage 4 Pressure Sore

At this stage the skin and area around the sore will have suffered severe damage leading to complete destruction of the skin tissue. There will be a deep wound that may even have damaged adjacent bone.

Guidelines to avoid pressure damage occurring

There are protocols in place to try to avoid pressure damage from occurring. All patients should be assessed within six hours by a care giver. Further reassessments should take place as often as necessary if the patient’s condition changes or if they are being restricted to bed for an extended period of time.

As most Pressure sores are avoidable, if you or a loved one has suffered with pressure sores you should speak with a specialist pressure sore claim solicitor to find out if they believe that there has been caused by clinical negligence. If you or a loved one have suffered pressure sore or bed sore injury you are entitled to claim compensation for pain and suffering caused.