What Types of Bedsores Can Be Caused by Nursing Home Neglect?

 Posted on March 11, 2026 in Nursing Home Neglect

Bedsores, which are painful skin wounds caused by prolonged pressure, are one of the most common and preventable injuries in nursing homes. They may also be one of the first signs that a nursing home is failing its residents.

Understanding how to gauge the severity of bedsores can help you respond with emergency medical intervention if needed. It will also help you know how long the nursing home’s negligence of your loved one has gone on.  A Decatur nursing home neglect attorney can then help you understand how to hold the facility responsible for them.

What Causes Bedsores in Nursing Home Residents?

Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers or pressure sores, are not an inevitable part of aging. In most cases, they are a direct result of staff failing to provide adequate care. Bedsores develop when an area of skin is under too much pressure for too long. When blood cannot reach the skin, the tissue begins to break down and die. They most commonly affect bony parts of the body like the back, hips, tailbone, heels, and ankles.

Residents who are bedridden, wheelchair-bound, or have limited mobility are most at risk. So are residents who have diabetes, poor circulation, or malnutrition. Nursing home staff have a responsibility to actively prevent bedsores from developing. Basic preventive steps include:

• Repositioning immobile residents at least every two hours to relieve pressure
• Padding beds and wheelchairs to reduce friction
• Keeping residents' skin clean and dry
• Making sure residents receive adequate nutrition and hydration

When staff fail to take these steps, bedsores can develop and worsen quickly.

What Are the Four Stages of Bedsore Injuries?

Bedsores progress in stages. The later stages are serious medical emergencies and should be treated as such.

Stage One

A stage 1 bedsore affects only the top layer of skin. The area may look red and feel warm, tender, or itchy. When caught at this stage and treated promptly with repositioning the resident and using soft padding, a stage 1 sore usually heals within a few days.

Stage Two

By stage 2, the sore has broken through deeper layers of skin and may appear as an open wound or blister. The surrounding skin is often red and swollen. Proper treatment involves keeping the wound clean, bandaged, and free from infection. Healing at this stage can take anywhere from several days to multiple weeks.

Stage Three

A stage 3 bedsore has reached the fatty tissue beneath the skin, creating a crater-like wound that may have a foul smell. Dead or blackened skin is common around the edges. Treatment typically requires removal of dead tissue and antibiotics for infection. These wounds generally take one to four months to heal, even with proper care.

Stage Four

Stage 4 bedsores are the most severe. The wound extends deep enough that muscle, tendon, or bone may be visible. Surgery is often necessary, and recovery can take many months or even years. Stage 4 bedsores can lead to life-threatening infections, sepsis, and death.

The progression from stage one to stage four does not happen overnight. Each stage represents a window where intervention could have stopped the damage. A resident developing a stage 3 or stage 4 bedsore is a sign that the nursing home missed – or ignored – earlier opportunities.

Are Untreated Bedsores Considered Nursing Home Neglect in Illinois?

Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45), nursing home residents have a legal right to be taken care of and not neglected. "Neglect" is defined by the law as a facility's failure to provide – or willful withholding of – adequate medical or personal care that is necessary to avoid physical harm to a resident. Failing to prevent or treat bedsores falls squarely within that definition.

In 2026, Illinois nursing homes are required to meet state and federal standards of care. When a facility is understaffed, improperly trained, or simply inattentive, residents pay the price with their health and sometimes their lives. Families who discover that their loved one has developed serious bedsores may have grounds for a nursing home negligence claim.

Compensation in these cases can include medical costs for treating the wounds, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the injury. If bedsore-related complications contributed to a resident's death, a wrongful death claim may also be available.

What Should I Do If I Suspect Nursing Home Neglect in 2026?

If you notice unexplained wounds, unusual odors, or a sudden decline in your loved one's condition, act quickly. Document what you observe and request the facility's medical records. Report your concerns to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Then speak with an attorney.

Call a Bloomington Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer Today

Nursing home residents deserve dignity and proper care. If your loved one developed bedsores because of a negligent facility, the Decatur personal injury attorneys at Kanoski Bresney are here to help. Our firm brings over 100 years of combined legal experience to these cases.

Call Kanoski Bresney at 888-826-8682 for a free consultation.