Bed sores — also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers — are one of the clearest signs of nursing home neglect.
These painful wounds develop when residents are left in the same position for too long without proper care. In severe cases, bed sores can lead to life-threatening infections, sepsis, and even wrongful death.
At Nancy Iler Law Firm, our experienced Ohio nursing home bed sore attorneys represent residents and families harmed by negligent nursing home care. We fight to hold facilities accountable, stop ongoing neglect, and recover compensation for your loved one’s suffering.
Why Bed Sores Should Never Happen
Bed sores are largely preventable with proper nursing care.
Federal and Ohio nursing home regulations require facilities to assess every resident’s risk for pressure ulcers and implement care plans to prevent them.
When bed sores develop, it is often because of:
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Failure to reposition residents regularly (every 2 hours or as medically required)
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Understaffing that leaves residents unattended for long periods
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Failure to provide proper mattresses or cushions to reduce pressure points
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Poor hygiene and failure to keep skin clean and dry
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Lack of monitoring for early signs of skin breakdown
A nursing home’s failure to prevent or promptly treat bed sores is a breach of their duty of care — and grounds for a negligence claim.
Stages of Bed Sores
Understanding the stages of bed sores helps determine how severe the neglect may have been:
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Stage 1: Redness or discoloration of the skin that does not fade when pressed
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Stage 2: Shallow open sore or blister
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Stage 3: Deep wound extending through skin into fat tissue
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Stage 4: Severe wound exposing muscle or bone, high risk of infection
The later the stage, the more likely that the facility failed to notice or treat the wound in time.
Consequences of Untreated Bed Sores
When left untreated, pressure ulcers can lead to:
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Painful infections (including MRSA and sepsis)
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Tissue death (necrosis)
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Amputations
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Extended hospital stays
These complications are devastating but often avoidable with proper care and monitoring.
Your Legal Rights in Ohio
Under Ohio and federal law, nursing homes must:
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Conduct regular skin assessments for high-risk residents
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Reposition immobile residents on a consistent schedule
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Provide pressure-relief mattresses and cushions
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Treat bed sores promptly with appropriate medical interventions
If a nursing home fails to meet these standards, you may be entitled to compensation for:
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Medical expenses and wound care
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Pain and suffering
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Rehabilitation or long-term care needs
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Wrongful death damages, if the sores contributed to a resident’s death
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Punitive damages, in cases of extreme neglect
Why Choose Nancy Iler Law Firm
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Medical Insight: Nancy Iler is a former registered nurse with a deep understanding of how bed sores develop and how they should be treated.
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Decades of Experience: More than 30 years representing victims of nursing home neglect across Ohio.
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Aggressive Representation: We hold facilities accountable for failing to provide proper care.
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No Fees Unless We Win: Our firm works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
Bed sores can progress quickly. The sooner you take action, the sooner your loved one can get proper care and protection from further harm.
Call Nancy Iler Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced Ohio nursing home bed sore lawyer. We proudly serve clients in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, and throughout the state. Our results speak for themselves!