What Level is My Bedsore?

Understanding the Stages of Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Home Residents

Seeing a loved one suffer from bedsores can be heartbreaking. These painful wounds often develop in those who are already vulnerable, leaving families feeling helpless and unsure of what to do next.

In some cases, bedsores are a warning sign of deeper neglect—evidence that a nursing home or assisted living facility isn’t providing the attention and care residents deserve. When left untreated, these wounds can spiral into life-threatening infections, robbing victims of their health, dignity, and, in the worst cases, their lives.

What is a Bedsore/Pressure Ulcer?

Pressure ulcers, commonly known as bedsores, develop when prolonged pressure restricts blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues. While some pressure ulcers may heal with proper medical care, more severe cases can lead to life-threatening infections, hospitalization, and even wrongful death.

Although nursing home neglect can contribute to bedsores, it is important to acknowledge that they can occur even with high-quality care in elderly or immobile patients. However, when a nursing home or assisted living facility fails to prevent, monitor, or treat these wounds properly, the consequences can be devastating. That’s when having an experienced Pittsburgh nursing home neglect lawyer on your side to help you navigate the legal process can be invaluable.

What Are the 4 Stages of Pressure Ulcers?

Bedsores are classified into four stages based on severity, depth, and potential complications. The higher the stage, the greater the risk of serious infection and long-term damage.

Stage 1: Early Signs of Skin Damage

Appearance: Red, irritated skin that does not turn white when pressed (non-blanchable erythema).
Symptoms: Warmth, tenderness, or mild pain.
Reversibility: If treated promptly, these wounds can heal within days.

Stage 2: Open Wound Formation

Appearance: Shallow, open sore with a pink or red wound bed. May look like a blister.
Symptoms: Increased pain, swelling, and risk of infection.
Risk: If left untreated, bacteria can begin to enter deeper layers of tissue.

Stage 3: Tissue Damage Extends Below the Skin

Appearance: A deep wound exposing fat tissue. The edges may appear cratered.
Symptoms: Possible foul-smelling drainage, heat, and swelling.
Complications: At this stage, infections like cellulitis or abscesses may develop, requiring aggressive medical treatment.

Stage 4: Severe and Life-Threatening Tissue Loss

Appearance: A large, deep wound exposing muscle, tendons, or bone. Dead tissue (necrosis) may be visible.
Symptoms: Severe pain (or complete loss of sensation), signs of infection, and a foul odor.
Risk of Death: Stage 4 bedsores are medical emergencies. If left untreated, patients can develop sepsis, bone infections (osteomyelitis), or gangrene, leading to amputations or death.

Stage 4 Bedsore Life Expectancy: How Dangerous Are Severe Pressure Ulcers?

For elderly or medically fragile patients, a stage 4 bedsore significantly increases the risk of death—not just from the wound itself, but from the serious complications that arise.

Key Factors Affecting Life Expectancy:

Sepsis: A bloodstream infection that causes organ failure and is often fatal.
Osteomyelitis: A deep bone infection requiring extensive treatment.
Malnutrition & Dehydration: Patients with untreated bedsores often suffer from nutritional deficiencies, making healing nearly impossible.
Weakened Immune System: Elderly individuals, particularly those with diabetes or heart disease, struggle to fight off infections.

If a loved one has developed a stage 4 pressure ulcer in a Pittsburgh nursing home or assisted living facility, it may indicate severe neglect. Immediate medical intervention is critical, but legal action may also be necessary if the facility failed to provide necessary care to prevent this condition from worsening.

Unstageable Pressure Ulcers: When a Bedsore Is Too Severe to Classify

Unlike stages 1-4, an unstageable pressure ulcer is one where the severity cannot be immediately determined because the wound is covered by dead tissue (eschar) or thick slough (yellow/green biofilm).

Why Are Some Pressure Ulcers Considered Unstageable?

Hidden Depth: The wound may be deeper than it appears, but necrotic tissue prevents proper assessment.
Extensive Infection: The wound may be filled with bacteria and dead tissue that must be removed before treatment can begin.
Delayed Diagnosis: Some facilities may fail to recognize the wound’s true severity, leading to delayed treatment and worsening conditions.

Treatment of Unstageable Pressure Ulcers

Doctors typically perform debridement, a process that removes dead tissue, to determine whether the wound is Stage 3 or Stage 4. Without proper treatment, unstageable ulcers can quickly progress to life-threatening infections.

Stage 4 Bedsore Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Nursing homes often deny responsibility when a resident develops a severe or fatal bedsore. However, families who lose a loved one to untreated or poorly managed pressure ulcers may be entitled to significant compensation through a lawsuit.

How Settlements Are Calculated:

Medical Expenses: Costs for hospitalization, wound care, surgeries, and long-term treatment.
Pain & Suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress endured by the patient.
Wrongful Death Damages: If a resident dies due to an infected or untreated bedsore, their family may recover damages for funeral costs and loss of companionship.
Nursing Home Negligence Evidence: Strong cases often involve poor staffing levels, ignored care plans, falsified records, or delayed medical treatment.

How Hal Waldman & Associates Can Help

At Hal Waldman & Associates, our Pittsburgh nursing home neglect attorneys understand the life-altering impact of severe pressure ulcers. If your loved one developed a serious bedsore in a nursing home or assisted living facility in Pennsylvania, we can help you determine whether neglect played a role.

Our firm investigates cases involving:

Failure to reposition immobile patients
Delayed treatment of pressure ulcers
Understaffing and inadequate care plans
Misdiagnosis or failure to identify bedsores

You don’t have to fight alone. If a nursing home failed your loved one, we’re ready to demand accountability. Contact us today for a free consultation.

“Hands down the best law firm I have had the pleasure of working with. They set realistic expectations and are committed to the best outcomes for their clients.” — Dawn D., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐