Buffalo
Nursing Home Bedsore Lawyer

Physicians categorize bedsores into four distinct stages based on their severity and appearance. Recognizing the stages of a bedsore can indicate how long the injuries were developing and whether the nursing home took any measures to address them.

Stage 1: The skin remains intact but appears discolored—usually red in lighter skin tones or blue/purple in darker skin tones. The area may feel warmer, firmer, or softer than the surrounding tissue. Although the skin hasn’t broken, the damage beneath has begun.

Stage 2: The skin has broken open at this stage, forming a shallow wound that may look like an abrasion, blister, or open sore. The surrounding tissue may be inflamed or tender. Pain is often present, and the risk of infection begins to increase.

Stage 3: The wound deepens, extending into the underlying layer of fat. At this point, the ulcer has a crater-like appearance, and the tissue damage is more severe. Dead tissue (slough) may be visible. Treatment becomes more complex, and healing may be prolonged.

Stage 4: The wound exposes muscle, tendon, or even bone. These severe ulcers carry a high risk of serious infection, including sepsis or osteomyelitis. Stage 4 bedsores require immediate and aggressive medical intervention.

Families should be especially concerned when advanced-stage bedsores develop. These injuries do not happen suddenly. They often signal prolonged periods of inattention or substandard care.

They also often reflect systemic issues, such as understaffing, poor training, or outright indifference. When these wounds appear, it’s time to take a closer look at how your loved one is being cared for.