Pressure Sores/ Ulcers

Pressure sores or ulcers can occur in a number of ways but often happen in a hospital or care home type situation as a result of the patient not being as mobile as usual. This may result in the person lying in the same position for a long time and pressure damage occurring on protruding joints such as the shoulders, buttocks, spine, ankles and heels (particularly in thinner patients).

If left untreated, pressure damage will turn into a break in the skin leading to a sore. This means the skin surface is compromised and leaves the patient prone to infection and disease. How severe they are will vary from case to case, however, at their most severe they can cause damage to, tendons, bones and muscle, and will often turn necrotic when the damage is full thickness.

How Can They Be Prevented?

There are a number of ways that healthcare professionals can prevent the onset of pressure sores and ulcers.

These include:

• Use of pressure relieving equipment if identified as required on assessment
• Readjusting the patient at least once every 2 hours
• Identifying if someone is at risk of developing pressure sores or ulcers using assessment tools along with clinical judgement (looking for signs of redness)
• Inspecting the skin regularly for any signs of developing or early sores
• Ensuring patients have a nutritional assessment in place

Despite these methods of pressure prevention being available, they are sometimes ignored causing devastating pain and consequences for the sufferer.

Can I Make A Claim If I Suffered Pressure Sores?

It is your caregiver's responsibility to make sure that if you do suffer from pressure sores or ulcers, you are taken care of in a caring and appropriate manner. If they fail to do so, you may have a claim for compensation.

It is the professional’s responsibility to ensure assessment of any necessary pressure relieving equipment.

Although anyone left in an immobile position with underlying health problems can develop pressure sores, they are most common in elderly people.

If you have been the victim of substandard care and you developed pressure sores or your loved one died of the condition, you may have a claim for medical negligence.

How Can We Help You?

When medical treatment goes wrong, only lawyers with expert legal knowledge will do. Here at Joseph James Law we recognise the effect that a pressure ulcer can have. We understand that a serious, and in some cases fatal, injury can be a severe financial, physical and psychological burden on the whole family. We understand the importance of compensation and can help you obtain a settlement that will help with any financial and future care needs that you may have.

For a free and confidential assessment of your potential claim by our Specialist Clinical Negligence Solicitors please contact us on Freephone 0800 999 1234.