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Pressure Sores start as reddened areas of skin which feel tender to the touch. They often appear on the heels, ankles, spine, buttocks or shoulders of a person who has been lying in the same position for an extended period of time and are also known as pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers or bedsores.
As time goes by, the reddened areas of skin become more painful and may turn purple in colour. If the pressure continues to be applied, the skin and tissue will become damaged and start to break down, creating a crater-like sore which is open to infection.
The severity of pressure sores varies; therefore they can be large or small in size. In very serious cases damage can be caused to the muscles, bones, joints or tendons.
When a person has been in the same position for a long period of time, for example someone ill in bed or someone confined to a wheelchair, the flow of blood is restricted to the areas with pressure applied to them and this causes a bed sore to start developing.
In 95% of cases it is thought that pressure sores could have been avoided by the person receiving better care. For example a bed-ridden hospital patient should be turned regularly and provided with a special mattress to lie on. It is also believed that dehydration and under-nourishment can contribute to bed sores; therefore carers or nurses should ensure that vulnerable people have sufficient food and water.
If you believe that you have developed pressure sores due to the negligence of a hospital, nursing home, care home or carer you may be able to make a claim for damages which will cover the cost of any care you require in the future to treat the pressure sores.
Medical Negligence or Clinical Negligence Claims are very complex cases to deal with and are very different to other personal injury compensation claims. If you think you have a claim for clinical negligence you will need expert legal advice from a firm of solicitors who are experienced in handling compensation claims for pressure sores.
If you or anyone you know has suffered from any form of clinical negligence, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all matters relating to clinical negligence and will be able to advise you as to whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Their specialist clinical negligence lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.
For more information about clinical negligence visit our Information Page.