Pressure sores, also called pressure ulcers or bedsores, develop when pressure on the skin reduces blood supply for long enough to cause damage. People who cannot reposition themselves easily are at higher risk, including those who are unwell in hospital, recovering after surgery, or living in a care home with limited mobility. Many pressure sores are preventable when basic care steps are planned, delivered and reviewed. This article explains how negligence concerns can arise when those basics are missed.
How pressure sores can become avoidable injuries
A pressure sore is more likely to be avoidable when risk factors are present and there is time to take preventive action. Prevention is not normally a single action. It is a set of simple steps that work together: identifying risk, reducing pressure on vulnerable areas, checking skin regularly, and responding quickly to early signs.
Negligence is a legal concept and each case turns on evidence. In general terms, concerns often relate to a pattern of missed care steps, particularly where a person was already known to be at risk.
Missed risk assessment and care planning
Risk assessment is the starting point for prevention. It helps staff decide how often repositioning is needed, what equipment may be required, and what monitoring should take place. Risk can change quickly if a person becomes more unwell, eats less, becomes dehydrated, or is spending longer in bed or a chair. Where assessments are not completed, not updated, or not reflected in a practical plan, prevention can break down.
Delayed repositioning and pressure relief
Repositioning reduces the time any one area of skin is under constant pressure. If a turning plan is set out but not followed in practice, pressure can build on bony areas such as heels, hips, buttocks and the base of the spine. Pressure relieving equipment can support prevention, but it does not replace the need for consistent movement and correct positioning.
Ignored early warning signs
Early warning signs may include redness or warmth that does not fade when pressed, tenderness, swelling, or a change in skin texture. For darker skin tones, colour change can be harder to see, so heat, pain, firmness or discolouration that looks different from surrounding skin can be important signals. Concerns can arise if early signs are documented but not acted on, or if families report changes that are not reflected in notes.
Nutrition, hydration and general condition
Nutrition and hydration can affect skin integrity and healing. People who are frail, unwell, or eating and drinking poorly can be more vulnerable to skin damage. Prevention plans often include monitoring intake and responding when appetite or hydration drops. Where these factors are overlooked, risk can increase and recovery can be harder.
Why timing and escalation matter
Pressure sores can progress from early skin damage to deeper tissue injury. Earlier action can sometimes stop progression, which is why the timing of checks, repositioning and escalation can matter. Escalation may include a clinical review, adjustments to the care plan, and changes to support surfaces.
Where to find a fuller overview of pressure sore claims
This page focuses on how missed care steps can lead to avoidable harm. If you want a broader overview of evidence gathering, independent medical review, and how pressure sore claims are assessed in the UK, the main hub explains the typical steps in one place: pressure sores negligence claims (UK) hub.
Key points
- Pressure sores develop when constant pressure reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue.
- Many are preventable when risk is identified early and prevention steps are carried out consistently.
- Concerns can arise where risk assessments, repositioning, skin checks or escalation are missed or delayed.
- Nutrition and hydration can influence risk and the ability to heal.
- Evidence and timelines help clarify what was planned, what happened, and when action was taken.
This page is general information and does not provide medical or legal advice.