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Pressure Sore Claims
Suing the NHS or private care providers for pressure sore neglect
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat with our specialist clinical negligence solicitors.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat.
Call us on 0333 987 4161 or submit a form below.
Pressure Sores: Negligence & Compensation Explained
Pressure sores can amount to negligence when a patient develops avoidable pressure damage because basic standards of care were not met. People who are immobile, unwell, elderly, or reliant on others for care are at higher risk, and healthcare providers are expected to take active steps to prevent pressure damage.
Negligence may arise where staff fail to carry out proper risk assessments, do not reposition patients or fail to provide appropriate pressure-relieving equipment. Claims focus on whether reasonable preventative care was missed and whether earlier action could have avoided the injury or reduced its severity.
This can occur in hospitals, care homes, residential facilities, or in community care settings, and may involve the NHS or private providers.
Pressure Sore Grading & Why It Matters in Claims
- Grade 1: Discoloured skin that does not break. This stage is often reversible if identified early, and failure to act at this point may indicate poor monitoring.
- Grade 2: Broken skin, blisters, or shallow open wounds. At this stage, prompt treatment is essential to prevent infection and deterioration.
- Grade 3: Full thickness skin loss with damage to underlying tissue. These sores often result from prolonged neglect and require intensive treatment.
- Grade 4: Deep wounds exposing muscle, tendon, or bone. These are the most serious cases and carry a high risk of infection, sepsis, and long-term harm.
Claims often arise where a pressure sore progressed from a lower grade to a more severe stage because warning signs were missed or appropriate care was delayed. The higher the grade, the more likely it is that the injury was avoidable with proper care.
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No-win-no-fee
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Specialist negligence solicitors
No-win-no-fee
24/7 Support
Specialist negligence solicitors
Am I Eligible to Make a Claim?
To bring a successful claim, four key elements must usually be proven:
1
Duty of care
The healthcare provider had a legal responsibility to care for you.
2
Breach of duty
The care fell below acceptable medical standards.
3
Causation
The harm you suffered was a direct result of that substandard care.
4
Damage
You experienced physical, emotional, or financial harm as a consequence.
Is there a time limit?
You usually have three years from the date of the incident or when you first realised negligence may have occurred. Exceptions may apply for children or those lacking mental capacity.
Related Claims
Hospital Neglect
MRSA Claims
Failure to Treat
Sepsis Negligence
Medical Errors
Your Questions Answered
Can I make a claim on behalf of someone else?
Yes – if the person affected is unable to bring the claim themselves, a litigation friend can act on their behalf. This applies if the individual:
- Is under 18
- Has limited or no mental capacity
- Has experienced cognitive decline or disability that prevents legal decision-making
Litigation friends are often family members or close friends. They make legal decisions in the claimant’s best interest and liaise with the solicitor to progress the case.
How do solicitors assess whether care fell below acceptable standards?
Pressure sore claims are assessed against recognised clinical guidance, including whether care providers:
- Identified pressure sore risk on admission or when mobility changed
- Put an appropriate care plan in place
- Followed that plan consistently over time
Independent nursing or tissue viability experts are used to assess whether the standard of care provided matched what should reasonably have been delivered in the circumstances.
Does the grade of the pressure sore affect whether I can claim?
Yes. While all grades can be serious, higher-grade pressure sores often indicate prolonged or repeated failures in care. Claims involving Grade 3 or Grade 4 sores commonly raise concerns about:
- Delayed intervention
- Poor monitoring over time
- Inadequate escalation when deterioration occurred
However, earlier-stage sores may still support a claim if they progressed due to inaction.
How is compensation calculated?
Compensation is based on both the severity of the pressure sore and the wider impact it has had on your life. Awards are usually divided into two parts:
- General damages cover the physical pain, infection risk, scarring, reduced mobility, and psychological distress caused.
- Special damages account for financial losses linked to the injury, such as additional care needs, specialist mattresses or equipment, wound treatment, rehabilitation, travel costs, and any loss of earnings.
Every pressure sore claim is assessed individually, with compensation aimed at supporting recovery and addressing any long-term care or support needs caused by the neglect.
Additional Resources
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