Pressure Ulcers in Kansas & Missouri Hospitals and Nursing Homes: A Sign of Neglect?

Pressure ulcers, also called bedsores, are painful and often dangerous wounds caused by prolonged pressure on the skin. These injuries are most common in hospital patients and nursing home residents who have limited mobility and rely on caregivers for repositioning and hygiene. While some cases are difficult to prevent, many pressure ulcers result from neglect—when healthcare providers fail to take essential steps to protect their patients.

If you or a loved one developed pressure ulcers due to inadequate care in a Kansas or Missouri hospital or long-term care facility, you may have legal options. Neglect in medical and nursing home settings is unacceptable, and those responsible should be held accountable.

What Causes Pressure Ulcers?

Pressure ulcers develop when sustained pressure, friction, or shear restricts blood flow to the skin. Without proper care, the affected skin tissue breaks down, leading to open wounds, infection, and severe health complications.

Common Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcers

Patients and nursing home residents at higher risk for bedsores include those who:

✅ Have limited mobility – Patients who are bedridden or use a wheelchair need frequent repositioning to relieve pressure on the skin.
✅ Are exposed to moisture – Sweat, urine, or feces can weaken the skin, increasing the risk of breakdown and infection.
✅ Experience malnutrition or dehydration – Poor nutrition can make the skin more fragile and slow the body’s ability to heal wounds.
✅ Do not receive proper medical attention – Healthcare providers should routinely assess high-risk patients and implement prevention strategies.

Hospitals and nursing homes must have protocols in place to prevent bedsores, including regular skin assessments, pressure relief techniques, and proper hygiene and nutrition plans. When they fail to meet this standard, patients suffer the consequences.

Are Pressure Ulcers a Sign of Nursing Home or Hospital Negligence?

Not all bedsores are caused by neglect, but many are entirely preventable with proper care. Hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities have a duty to provide appropriate medical attention, hygiene, nutrition, and mobility assistance. When they fail to do so, serious injuries can result.

Signs of Neglect in Pressure Ulcer Cases

Many pressure ulcer injuries stem from poor facility management and caregiver neglect. Warning signs of neglect include:

❌ Failure to reposition patients – Leaving a patient in the same position for too long increases the risk of bedsores.
❌ Lack of proper wound care – If a facility fails to identify and treat pressure ulcers early, the condition can rapidly worsen.
❌ Poor hygiene and infection control – Dirty linens, infrequent bathing, and untreated wounds increase the risk of severe infections.
❌ Understaffing and lack of supervision – When a facility is understaffed, patient needs can be overlooked, leading to avoidable injuries.

If a loved one suffered from bedsores in a hospital or nursing home, it’s essential to investigate whether neglect played a role.

The Dangers of Untreated Pressure Ulcers

When left untreated, pressure ulcers can quickly become medical emergencies. These wounds progress through four stages, each becoming more severe and difficult to treat:

Stages of Pressure Ulcers

1️⃣ Stage 1: The skin appears red and irritated but remains intact.
2️⃣ Stage 2: The outer skin layer begins to break down, creating an open sore.
3️⃣ Stage 3: The wound deepens, exposing underlying tissue.
4️⃣ Stage 4: The ulcer extends to muscle or bone, increasing the risk of life-threatening infections.

Potential Health Complications

⚠️ Sepsis – A severe infection that can spread throughout the body and become fatal.
⚠️ Osteomyelitis – A deep bone infection requiring intensive medical treatment.
⚠️ Permanent Disability or Amputation – In severe cases, extensive tissue damage may require surgical removal of affected areas.

When pressure ulcers progress to later stages, it often means a facility failed to provide proper care. These injuries can lead to long-term suffering or even wrongful death.

Legal Options for Pressure Ulcer Victims in Kansas & Missouri

If you or a loved one suffered from preventable pressure ulcers due to poor care in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility, you may have a legal claim. These cases typically fall under:

✅ Medical Malpractice – When a hospital or healthcare provider fails to meet an appropriate standard of care.
✅ Nursing Home Neglect – When a long-term care facility fails to provide adequate supervision, hygiene, nutrition, or medical attention.

Compensation for Pressure Ulcer Cases

Victims of hospital and nursing home neglect may be entitled to compensation for:

✔️ Medical expenses – Wound care, hospital stays, and long-term treatment.
✔️ Pain and suffering – The physical and emotional distress caused by preventable injuries.
✔️ Loss of quality of life – Reduced mobility and long-term complications.
✔️ Wrongful death damages – If a loved one passed away due to severe bedsores, surviving family members may pursue compensation.

Nursing homes and hospitals must be held accountable when their negligence leads to unnecessary harm.

Why Legal Action Matters in Nursing Home & Hospital Neglect Cases

Filing a legal claim is about more than financial recovery—it’s about justice. By holding neglectful facilities accountable, families can:

✔️ Prevent future harm – Legal action pushes nursing homes and hospitals to improve their standard of care.
✔️ Ensure accountability – No patient should suffer because of understaffing, poor training, or lack of oversight.
✔️ Protect other vulnerable individuals – Bringing attention to neglect can help stop similar injuries from happening to others.

If you suspect a loved one suffered due to nursing home neglect or hospital negligence, taking action can make a difference.

Steps to Take if You Suspect Medical Neglect

If you believe that a loved one is suffering from neglect in a nursing home or hospital, it’s important to act quickly. Follow these steps to protect their health and document the situation for a potential legal case:

1️⃣ Report concerns to facility staff – Speak with nurses or administrators and demand an immediate care plan to address the issue.
2️⃣ Document everything – Take photos of pressure ulcers, record dates of medical visits, and keep copies of medical records and staff communications.
3️⃣ Request a second medical opinion – If possible, have an independent doctor assess the injuries and treatment plan.
4️⃣ File a complaint – Report the neglect to Kansas or Missouri state health departments and the local ombudsman program for long-term care facilities.
5️⃣ Consult a nursing home neglect lawyer – An experienced attorney can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and help you seek justice for the neglect.

Taking action can protect your loved one and help prevent similar neglect from happening to others.

Speak with a Kansas City Nursing Home & Medical Malpractice Lawyer

No patient or nursing home resident should suffer pressure ulcers due to neglect. If you believe a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility failed to provide proper care, Kendall Law Group is here to help.

📞 Call us today for a free consultationto discuss your case and explore your legal options. CALL NOW or reach out HERE

How Kendall Law Group Will Investigate Your Case

When you suspect that a loved one suffered pressure ulcers due to neglect in a Kansas or Missouri hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility, a thorough legal investigation is critical. At Kendall Law Group, we take an aggressive and detail-oriented approach to uncover the truth and build a strong case.

Here is how we will investigate your claim:

🔎 Gather Medical Records & Facility Reports – We obtain hospital and nursing home records to analyze whether staff followed proper care protocols. This includes reviewing skin assessments, repositioning schedules, nutrition plans, and infection control measures.

🔎 Interview Witnesses & Experts – We speak with medical professionals, former employees, and other residents or family members who may have witnessed neglect. When necessary, we consult medical and wound care specialists to determine if proper treatment was provided.

🔎 Examine Staffing & Facility Conditions – Understaffing is a major cause of nursing home neglect. We investigate staffing levels, training records, and prior complaints against the facility to determine whether systemic failures contributed to the injuries.

🔎 Review Photos & Documentation – If you have taken photos of pressure ulcers, kept records of complaints, or documented interactions with facility staff, we use this evidence to strengthen your case.

🔎 Hold Negligent Parties Accountable – Once we gather the necessary evidence, we pursue maximum compensation through settlement negotiations or, if needed, take your case to court. Our firm is committed to fighting for justice and ensuring that negligent hospitals and nursing homes are held responsible.

When you work with Kendall Law Group, you are choosing a law firm that will investigate every detail, advocate for your loved one, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can help. (816) 531-3100

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