What are Bedsores?
Bedsores, also known as “Decubitus Ulcers”, “Pressure Injuries,” or “Pressure Ulcers,” are open sores resulting from unrelieved pressure on the bony prominences of the body, such as the tailbone. They are often a sign of neglect or abuse because they are literally caused by leaving someone in their bed or wheelchair for hours and hours at a time. This causes too much pressure on a certain area of tissue for an extended period of time, cutting off the blood supply to the tissue and causing tissue decay. Once they get to a certain point, they are very hard to heal and carry huge risks of infection.
Very often the facility will come up with an excuse to justify the development of a bedsore. “It’s part of the dying process,” “this is a deep tissue injury,” and other excuses are meant to convince you it was unavoidable. Often, however, bedsores can be avoided with proper preventative care, and these excuses are meant to stop you from holding them accountable.
Common Causes of Bedsores & Pressure Injuries
Avoiding bedsores requires preventative care - including “turning and repositioning” a resident at least every two hours, prompt and thorough incontinence care, proper nutrition to promote tissue health, and equipment such as heel protectors and pressure relieving mattresses. These are things that often fall through the cracks when a facility is understaffed. Was your loved one always on their back when you arrived? Ever been there more than two hours and nobody came to reposition your loved one? Do they spend hours at a time in a wheelchair or other chair? These may be indicators that your loved one is not receiving proper preventative care.
Abuse and neglect are not always obvious at first.
Warning signs may include:
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Unexplained injuries, bruises, or fractures
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Repeated falls or injuries the facility cannot clearly explain
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Pressure sores or wounds that worsen over time
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Dehydration, malnutrition, or sudden weight loss
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Poor hygiene, soiled clothing, or unchanged bedding
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Medication errors or missed doses
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Infections or untreated medical concerns
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Sudden changes in mood, behavior, or alertness
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Fearfulness around certain staff members
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Delayed, vague, or inconsistent answers from the facility
Where We Practice
We proudly represent clients throughout California. Elder abuse cases are investigated where they happened, and typically litigated in the courthouse and county where the facility operates. We have deep familiarity with the local systems throughout the state.
Pursuing the justice your loved one deserves
When a facility fails to meet its legal obligations, California law provides a meaningful framework for accountability. The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act gives victims and their families the right to pursue:
Compensatory damages for actual costs incurred by the harm caused.
Enhanced remedies, including pre-death pain and suffering, attorney's fees, and costs of suit.
Punitive damages that are not available in standard negligence cases. That distinction matters enormously in terms of accountability and case value.