Pressure sores (also known as bedsores) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue, caused by prolonged pressure to the affected area. Symptoms of pressure sores include:

• Part of the skin becoming discoloured – people with pale skin tend to get red patches, while people with dark skin tend to get purple or blue patches
• Discoloured patches not turning white when pressed
• A patch of skin that feels warm, spongy or hard
• Pain or itchiness in the affected area

More serious symptoms include:

• An open wound or blister – a category two pressure ulcer
• A deep wound that reaches the deeper layers of the skin – a category three pressure ulcer
• A very deep wound that may reach the muscle and bone – a category four pressure ulcer

Pressure sores can develop quickly in patients who are bed-bound for an extended time period. It need not happen: there are steps that hospitals can and should take, in order to prevent pressure sores from developing.

If you feel that either you, or an elderly relative, have suffered unnecessarily because of the development of pressure sores, then we can help you establish whether a claim for compensation can be made.

Get in touch with our expert Medical Negligence team today by clicking here.