Arkansas
Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyer

Your Legal Options After Elder Neglect

When a loved one enters a nursing home in Arkansas, families trust that they will receive respectful, attentive, and professional care. Unfortunately, that trust can be shattered when signs of neglect, like bedsores, begin to appear. 

Bedsores are also known as pressure ulcers, and they are not only extremely dangerous and painful, but they’re a red flag that often signals that the nursing home staff hasn’t been doing their job.

If you or a loved one has experienced harm due to neglect in an Arkansas long-term care facility, an Arkansas Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyer can help. This page can help you understand what may have happened, what your legal options are, and what steps to consider next.

Get Your Free Case Review Today

If You Want Help... Call Us

It costs absolutely nothing to see if you have a case

Play Video

If You Want Help... Call Us

It costs absolutely nothing to see if you have a case

As Seen On

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers James Helm Image
Play Video about TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers James Helm Image
TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers ABC Logo
TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers James Helm Image
Play Video about TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers James Helm Image
TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers CBS Logo

Your Guide to Arkansas Nursing Home Bedsore

James Helm, Personal Injury Lawyer

What Are Bedsores, and Why Do They Happen in Nursing Homes?

Also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, bedsores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue. They typically develop in areas of the body where bone and skin are in close contact, such as the hips, heels, and lower back. When a person remains in the same position for too long, without movement, turning, or proper bedding, these sores can form and quickly become serious medical conditions.

In most Arkansas nursing homes, these injuries are preventable with routine care. That includes:

  • Turning or repositioning immobile patients every few hours
  • Using pressure-relieving mattresses
  • Monitoring skin condition and documenting changes
  • Providing adequate hydration and nutrition

Failure to provide these basic services may constitute neglect under Arkansas law.

The Stages of Pressure Ulcers: What Families Need to Know

The term “bedsore” might sound mild, but the reality is anything but. These wounds can escalate quickly, progressing from a red patch of skin to a deep, life-threatening infection in just a few days. Recognizing bedsores in each of their stages can help you take action to protect your loved one. 

There are four recognized stages of pressure ulcers:

  1. Stage 1 – Red or discolored skin, not broken but painful.
  2. Stage 2 – Blisters or open sores with damage beneath the surface.
  3. Stage 3 – Deeper wounds affecting tissue below the skin.
  4. Stage 4 – Severe wounds extending to muscle or bone, often requiring surgery.

If your loved one’s injuries progressed past the first stage, it often means they’ve been neglected over a period of time. Don’t wait for a facility’s explanation. Seek answers. The sooner you act, the better the chances of preventing further harm.

Stage 3 and 4 ulcers are particularly concerning. These are not minor issues. They indicate prolonged inattention and may be linked to sepsis, hospitalization, and, in the most tragic cases, wrongful death.

Arkansas Laws on Nursing Home Negligence and Elder Abuse

Under Arkansas law, nursing home residents are protected by both state and federal regulations, including the Arkansas Long-Term Care Resident Rights and the federal Nursing Home Reform Act. These laws are designed to ensure:

  • Dignified treatment
  • Timely medical care
  • Protection from abuse and neglect
  • Access to personal and legal records
  • The right to voice grievances without retaliation

When nursing home facilities violate these rights and a resident is harmed, whether in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, or anywhere else in the state, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. 

Nursing home regulations are the backbone of humane elder care. If your family’s trust has been broken, the law provides a solution. An experienced Arkansas nursing home bedsore lawyer in TopDog’s network can help you and your loved one obtain the compensation you deserve.

Depressed senior woman struggling with anxiety, emotional distress, and mood disorder, sitting alone at home and coping with the effects of mental illness.

Recognizing the Signs of Nursing Home Neglect in Arkansas

Families are often the first to notice when something is wrong. Common signs of neglect that could lead to bedsores or other injuries include:

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Dehydration or malnutrition
  • Poor hygiene or unchanged bedding
  • Emotional withdrawal or fearfulness
  • Untreated medical issues or delays in treatment
  • Limited mobility with no documented repositioning

If you’re noticing these signs, it’s time to ask questions and consider your legal options. TopDog Law can connect you with an experienced Arkansas nursing home abuse lawyer in your area. 

How do you report nursing home abuse in Arkansas?

You can report suspected abuse to the Arkansas Department of Human Services’ Office of Long Term Care at 1-800-582-4887 or by email at complaints.OLTC@arkansas.gov. Also, call TopDog Law to speak with a qualified Arkansas nursing home bed sore lawyer in your area. A lawyer within our personal injury network can explain your family’s best legal options, guide you through the process, and address any concerns you may have. Call TopDog today at (501) 381-5954 or use our online contact form for a free consultation.

Can You File a Lawsuit for Bedsores in Arkansas?

Yes. If your loved one developed preventable pressure ulcers due to poor care, you may have a valid legal claim for negligence or wrongful death. Filing a lawsuit isn’t just about compensation; it’s about answers, justice, and ensuring this doesn’t happen to anyone else’s loved one.

You may file a lawsuit against nursing homes or care facilities when they:

  • Fail to provide basic medical care
  • Do not maintain proper staffing levels
  • Violate resident care plans or state regulations

These cases can result in compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Funeral and burial costs (in wrongful death cases)

Every legal claim begins with one simple question: “What happened, and why?” You deserve answers. And when the truth points to negligence, a lawsuit may be the most powerful way to seek justice, not just for your family, but for every resident at risk.

What Is the Average Settlement for Bedsore Lawsuits?

While every case is unique, bedsore cases in Arkansas have led to significant financial compensation depending on factors like:

  • Severity of the injury
  • Duration of suffering
  • Cost of medical care
  • The facility’s history of violations
  • Whether the injury contributed to a resident’s death

Nursing home settlements are often confidential. Speaking with a skilled nursing home bedsore attorney in TopDog Law’s network is the best way to understand what your claim could be worth.

Time Limits: How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Arkansas?

Arkansas law limits the time families have to pursue legal action. Under the Arkansas statute of limitations, personal injury and wrongful death actions are limited to three years from the date of injury. 

But don’t wait to act. Evidence disappears quickly. Nursing home records may be altered or lost. Most of all, your loved one needs help now. That’s why it’s crucial to act promptly and consult an attorney familiar with elder law in Arkansas.

Personal Injury Lawyer
James Helm, Personal Injury Attorney

What to Expect When You Contact a Bedsore Attorney

Every nursing home neglect lawyer in TopDog Law’s network knows how incredibly painful it is to discover your loved one was neglected. When you contact us, we will connect you to a top-performing, results-driven personal injury lawyer in your area who will fight for you and your family. 

We investigate cases thoroughly, review medical records, consult nursing experts, and hold negligent facilities accountable—all while keeping your family’s dignity at the center of every step we take.

Speak to an Arkansas Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyer Today

James Helm with Phone and Cash Bag

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Arkansas Office

8 Shackleford Plaza

Suite 304, Little Rock,

AR 72211

Translate »