Stage 3 & 4 Bedsores

Pressures on the skin caused by remaining in one position too long start out as mild irritations. When they become a stage 3 or stage 4 bedsore, however, these injuries can be life-altering, especially when they happen to elderly residents of care facilities such as nursing homes. These injuries rarely appear overnight, and in many cases they are a direct sign of neglect. Despite the fact that these injuries are preventable, they do commonly happen in nursing homes.

If they happen to you or your family member, you deserve answers, which is why The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel offers a free consultation. Stage 3 or stage 4 bedsores are often a sign of nursing home neglect, and we can explain whether you have a claim.

Why Advanced Bedsores Happen

A bedsore, also called a pressure ulcer, develops when the skin and underlying tissues experience prolonged pressure. In a properly staffed and attentive facility, early signs of pressure injury are easy to detect and treat. As long as residents of care facilities are repositioned or encouraged to move, their risk of bedsores is minimized.

When caregivers fail to reposition residents, monitor high-risk patients, or maintain adequate hygiene, small areas of redness can evolve into deep, dangerous wounds. Bedsores can progress to more serious injuries or develop dangerous infections.

Bedsores are classified according to stages. Stage 1 and 2 are the mildest, and do not go beyond the surface layers of skin. These will usually heal on their own with some attention and proper wound care.

Stage 3 pressure ulcers, however, extend beneath the skin into the fat layer. These wounds often show significant tissue loss, visible drainage, and a higher risk of infection. Without consistent wound care and pressure relief, they can worsen rapidly.

Stage 4 pressure ulcers are among the most severe injuries that can occur in long-term care. These wounds expose muscle, tendon, and sometimes bone. Infection risk is extremely high, and complications such as sepsis, osteomyelitis, and long-term disability become real concerns. No resident in a nursing home should ever reach this stage when proper care protocols are followed.

Why Bedsores Indicate Neglect

Most stage 3 and stage 4 bedsores are preventable with diligent care. When they do happen, they tend to indicate that stages 1 and 2 of bedsores were ignored. Stage 3 or stage 4 pressure ulcers frequently arise in facilities that:

• Are understaffed or rely heavily on inexperienced aides.
• Do not provide timely repositioning.
• Fail to monitor medical conditions that increase risk.
• Ignore signs of skin breakdown.
• Delay contacting medical providers.
• Lack proper training on pressure-relief techniques.

New York law requires facilities to keep residents safe and protect their dignity. When a nursing home violates that duty, it may be legally responsible for resulting injuries.

Common Injuries Associated With Advanced Bedsores

Stage 3 and Stage 4 pressure ulcers often lead to complications that may be more dangerous than the wound itself. These include:

• Sepsis.
• Osteomyelitis.
• Gangrene.
• Permanent mobility limitations.
• Extended hospitalization.
• Repeat surgeries or amputations.

These injuries may require months or even years of treatment. In the most tragic situations, they can be fatal. Since seniors in nursing homes may have pre-existing conditions, they may be more susceptible to serious complications and healing from advanced bedsores may be more challenging, which is why it is so imperative that nursing homes catch and treat pressure ulcers in earlier stages.

Signs of Nursing Home Negligence that Families May Notice

Even without access to medical charts, families can often sense when something is wrong. In fact, it is often friends and family who notice that a pressure sore has reached a dangerous level. The most obvious sign is a wound or painful, open sore that does not heal and seems to be getting worse. Other warning signs include:

• Unexplained or sudden weight loss.
• A loved one appearing dehydrated or unwashed.
• Staff members who seem overwhelmed or unavailable.
• Repeated infections or hospital transfers.
• Complaints of pain when moved.
• A resident who is frequently left in the same position.
• Discrepancies in what staff report versus what you observe.

If you raise concerns and the facility becomes defensive or evasive, it may be a sign that something is being overlooked or misrepresented. It is then time to contact a personal injury attorney with experience in nursing home abuse and neglect cases.

It is important to stay vigilant, even if (and especially if) nursing homes try to dismiss your concerns. The reality is that bed sores are far more common in nursing homes than in hospitals, where there are stricter regulations in place for patient care. Of patients being admitted to hospitals, about 26.2% of patients being admitted from nursing homes had an existing bed sore, compared to 4.8% of patients being admitted from home.

In addition, a study by researchers from the University of Chicago found that nursing home bedsores are underrated significantly, both in terms of number and severity. According to the study, published in the journal Medical Care, 22.4% of nursing home residents who were admitted to hospitals from a nursing home with a pressure ulcer had not had their bedsore reported by the nursing home. It’s not just you. Nursing homes really do minimize the risks of these injuries. 

What To Do If Your Loved One Has a Stage 3 or Stage 4 Bedsore

If you do establish that your loved one has a serious bed sore, acting quickly is essential. In these cases, the condition can progress to life-threatening infection quickly, so you will want to:

1. Seek immediate medical attention: Advanced wounds require urgent intervention, so insist on a visit with a medical professional. If a nursing home refuses or tries to delay a visit, become insistent and contact an attorney. Sometimes, showing that you are willing to take action can make a difference.
2. Document everything: Take photos, write down dates, and keep track of what staff say. Request medical records and records of your loved one’s care.
3. Report your concerns to administration: Keep copies of written complaints as well as any replies. If you speak with staff, keep detailed noted about who you spoke with, when, and what was said.
4. Speak with a nursing home negligence attorney: Early legal guidance helps preserve records and uncover evidence before it disappears. An experienced attorney can also help you act quickly, which can be important in protecting your family member’s health.

How The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel Can Help With Advanced Bedsore Case

Nursing home negligence cases require persistence. With almost 40 years of experience, Mark A. Siesel has built a reputation for thorough preparation and personal attention to every matter the firm handles.

We collect treatment notes, staffing records, facility logs, and witness statements to determine exactly how and why the wound developed. Families often sense something is wrong long before the records confirm it, and we take these concerns seriously.

We consult specialists who can explain how the nursing home’s conduct, such as failing to reposition a resident or ignoring infection, directly caused the injury’s progression. Our experience handling complex injury cases allows us to build compelling claims grounded in evidence.

Clients never feel abandoned or unsure of what comes next. We return all calls and emails within 24 business hours and make sure you understand each step of the process.

Most of all, we help families seek fair compensation. This is essential in ensuring that families have the financial resources to pay for quality medical treatment, which can make all the difference when a loved one is dealing with an advanced pressure sore. With financial resources from a claim, families can also pay for support, a move to a better care facility, therapy, counseling, and other services to help a victim heal.

A successful claim not only helps your family; it can also push a facility to improve conditions so others do not suffer the same injury. Many nursing homes are run by large management companies that prioritize profit over care. We work to uncover staffing shortages and other systemic problems that contributed to your loved one’s injury. When a facility violates state and federal regulations, we hold them responsible. This helps you seek justice and compensation for your loved one and can protect other families.

We are a boutique injury firm, which means you work directly with an attorney who knows your case, not a rotation of unfamiliar staff members. We believe that strong communication helps build trust, and trust leads to better outcomes. Returning client messages within 24 business hours is a priority, not a courtesy.

When a loved one suffers from a preventable Stage 3 or Stage 4 bedsore, The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel is here to help. Contact us today to consult with an experienced attorney dedicated to your family’s recovery.