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PRESSURE ULCER INJURIES

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Pressure Ulcer (Bed Sore) Lawsuits in Florida

When you place a loved one in a nursing home or hospital, you expect them to receive attentive, compassionate care. But when caregivers fail to provide even the most basic attention, residents can develop pressure ulcers (bed sores)—painful, dangerous wounds that are almost always preventable.

At Loutos Law, we fight for residents and families across Florida who have suffered due to bedsores caused by negligence. From our home on the Treasure Coast to communities statewide, we hold facilities accountable when they fail in their duty to protect vulnerable patients.

What Are Pressure Ulcers?

Pressure ulcers, also called bed sores or decubitus ulcers, are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure. They commonly develop on:

  • Heels

  • Hips

  • Tailbone

  • Elbows

  • Shoulders

Patients who are bedridden, use wheelchairs, or have limited mobility are most at risk.

Why Pressure Ulcers Are Preventable

Bedsores do not appear overnight-they result from neglect. Proper nursing care prevents them through:

  • Repositioning patients regularly

  • Providing clean, dry bedding

  • Ensuring proper nutrition and hydration

  • Monitoring skin integrity daily

  • Using pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions

When staff fail to take these basic precautions, bedsores form and worsen.

The Stages of Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers are categorized by severity:

  • Stage I: Red, irritated skin that does not blanch (turn white) when pressed.

  • Stage II: Open sores or blisters with skin loss.

  • Stage III: Deep wounds exposing fat tissue.

  • Stage IV: Severe wounds exposing muscle, bone, or tendons-often infected.

Advanced bedsores are a clear sign of serious neglect.

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Common Causes of Bedsores in Nursing Homes and Hospitals

  • Failure to Reposition Patients – leaving residents in the same position for hours or days

  • Inadequate Staffing – too few caregivers to monitor all residents

  • Poor Training – staff not educated on preventing pressure ulcers

  • Unsanitary Conditions – wet or soiled bedding that irritates skin

  • Malnutrition or Dehydration – weakens skin and slows healing

  • Failure to Monitor – ignoring early warning signs until ulcers become advanced

Consequences of Untreated Bedsores

Pressure ulcers are not just painful—they can be life-threatening if untreated. Complications include:

  • Severe infections (cellulitis, osteomyelitis, sepsis)

  • Amputations in extreme cases

  • Prolonged hospital stays

  • Permanent disability

  • Wrongful death

Families are often shocked to learn their loved one’s decline was due to something entirely preventable.

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Real-World Examples of Bedsore Negligence

  • A nursing home resident left in bed for days without repositioning develops stage IV ulcers requiring emergency hospitalization.

  • A hospital patient recovering from surgery develops multiple sores because staff failed to check skin regularly.

  • A dehydrated, malnourished resident suffers infections from untreated sores, leading to sepsis and death.

Each of these examples shows neglect-not just bad luck.

Florida Law and Pressure Ulcer Negligence

Florida nursing homes are governed by the Florida Statutes, Chapter 400 (Nursing Home Residents’ Rights). These laws require facilities to:

  • Provide adequate and appropriate healthcare

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  • Prevent avoidable conditions like pressure ulcers

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  • Protect residents from neglect and abuse

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Hospitals and nursing homes can be held liable when residents develop bedsores due to negligence or understaffing.

Damages in Bedsore Negligence Cases

Victims and families may recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses for wound care, hospitalizations, and surgeries

  • Pain and suffering for the resident’s physical and emotional harm

  • Loss of dignity and quality of life

  • Wrongful death damages if bedsores led to a resident’s passing

  • Punitive damages in extreme cases of willful neglect

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How Loutos Law Helps Victims of Bedsores

At Loutos Law, we fight to protect Florida’s most vulnerable residents. Our team:

We help clients by:

  • Investigates facility records to uncover staffing shortages and policy failures

  • Works with medical experts to prove ulcers were preventable

  • Holds facilities accountable for putting profits over patient care

  • Takes cases to trial when necessary—we are not afraid of the courtroom

We have the resources and trial experience to take on major nursing home chains and hospitals statewide.

Steps to Take If Your Loved One Has Bedsores

  • Seek immediate medical care to treat the ulcers and prevent infection.

  • Document everything – take photos of the sores, note dates and conversations.

  • Request medical and facility records.

  • Contact Loutos Law for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions
About Bedsore Cases in Florida

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LOUTOS LAW

Protects Victims of Bedsore Negligence Across Florida

Bedsores are painful, dangerous, and almost always preventable. When nursing homes and hospitals neglect their patients, families have the right to demand justice.

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At Loutos Law, we represent victims of pressure ulcer negligence across Florida. From the Treasure Coast to Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and beyond—we fight to ensure dignity, safety, and accountability.

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If your loved one developed bedsores in a Florida facility, contact Loutos Law today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.

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