Pressure sore

Pressure sores, also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, are areas of skin and tissue that become damaged over time when the blood supply to a particular part of the body is reduced or cut off. Sores are usually caused when someone sits or lies in one position for too long. As such you usually find them on the more bony parts of the body such as the shoulders, base of the spine, hips, buttocks, heels and ankles.

A pressure sore may initially appear as a red area of skin which can become sore to touch. Continued pressure may cause the skin to break. This then becomes an open sore and these can become infected.

Sores are preventable and a person particularly someone who cannotmove themselves should have their position changed, have protective padding added or be placed on an appropriate mattress to prevent the sore from worsening.

If you think you may have a case for compensation contact us and seek specialist advice from one of our clinical negligence lawyers. You can either fill out our online enquiry form, request a call back or call us direct on 0800 915 4650.

Regular inspection of high-risk pressure areas is important to detect early signs and prompt medical care should be provided. Appropriate nursing care should be provided to ensure the skin is kept clean and dry. Pressure sores are usually easy to treat early on. But if they are left untreated they do get worse, and they can be dangerous particularly if they get infected.

The clinical negligence team at Bond Pearce are able to advise you on issues relating to pressure sores which occur in a medical, hospital or care home setting.