What Level Is My Bedsore? Understanding Bedsore Stages

Contact a Tampa nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer who fights for victims and their families

Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, develop when prolonged pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues. These painful open wounds often affect people who are bedridden, immobile, or unable to reposition themselves. Identifying the stage of a bedsore is important for treatment and recovery.

However, bedsores are sometimes ignored in nursing homes, which could be a sign of neglect. The longer they’re left unaddressed, the more dangerous they can be. At advanced stages, they can lead to life-threatening complications and death.

If you or a loved one has developed a severe bedsore due to neglect in a hospital or nursing home, legal action may be an option. But the process isn’t always easy. Nursing homes often try to hide evidence or deny wrongdoing. Meanwhile, insurance companies use a variety of tactics to keep their costs down, even at the expense of you and your loved one. Armando Personal Injury Law won’t have any of it. We know how to uncover the truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and fight for maximum compensation. To learn how, contact us today.

What are the 4 stages of pressure ulcers?

Doctors classify pressure ulcers into four stages based on how deep and severe the wound is. Each stage requires different medical care, and early detection can prevent serious complications. These stages include:

Stage 1

At this stage, the skin remains intact but shows warning signs:

A red or discolored area that does not turn white when pressed (non-blanching).
Warmth, tenderness, or itching in the affected area.
Mild pain or discomfort.

These sores often develop on bony areas like the tailbone, hips, heels, and elbows. Without intervention, the skin begins breaking down. Treating a stage 1 bedsore involves relieving pressure, keeping the skin clean and dry, and ensuring proper nutrition and hydration.

Stage 2

In stage 2, the outer layer of skin (epidermis) breaks open, creating a shallow wound. It may resemble:

A blister filled with clear fluid.
A shallow ulcer with a reddish-pink base.
A wound that is painful and sensitive to touch.

At this stage, the risk of infection increases. Proper wound care, including cleaning with saline and applying specialized dressings, is necessary to prevent progression.

Stage 3

A stage 3 bedsore extends into deeper layers of the skin, affecting the fat tissue below. Key signs include:

A crater-like wound with visible fat tissue.
Pus, drainage, or a foul odor, indicating infection.
Dead tissue (slough) in the wound.

These wounds often require professional medical care, including debridement (removal of dead tissue) and antibiotics to fight infection. Without treatment, a pressure ulcer can worsen rapidly.

Stage 4

Stage 4 bedsores are the most severe, exposing muscles, tendons, or even bone. These wounds pose extreme risks, including:

Blackened dead tissue (necrosis).
Deep infection reaching the bone (osteomyelitis).
Severe pain and potential sepsis.

Stage 4 bedsores often require surgery, including skin grafts or flap reconstruction. Hospitalization is common, and recovery can take months. In many cases, these ulcers result from neglect in healthcare settings where patients are not turned or repositioned regularly.

Stage 4 bedsore life expectancy: How serious is it?

A stage 4 bedsore is a medical emergency. The longer it remains untreated, the higher the risk of sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an infection spreads throughout the body.

Life expectancy after a stage 4 bedsore depends on:

The person’s overall health and immune system strength.
Whether the infection has spread to the bloodstream or bones.
The quality of medical treatment received.

For elderly or already critically ill patients, a stage 4 pressure ulcer can significantly shorten life expectancy. Early detection and aggressive treatment are crucial to improving survival chances.

What are unstageable pressure ulcers?

Some pressure ulcers can’t be immediately classified into a stage because they are covered by thick dead tissue (eschar) or yellowish slough. These are called unstageable pressure ulcers.

How can you recognize an unstageable pressure ulcer?

Unlike other pressure ulcers, an unstageable wound has a unique appearance:

A dark brown, black, or yellow covering over the ulcer.
A moist, mushy texture or hardened, leathery surface.
Pain, swelling, or a foul smell if infection is present.

Until the dead tissue is removed, doctors can’t determine how deep the wound is. Once debridement is performed, the ulcer is usually classified as stage 3 or stage 4.

How are unstageable pressure ulcers treated?

Treatment focuses on preventing infection and preparing the wound for further assessment. This may include:

Debridement: Removing dead tissue to expose the wound bed.
Antibiotics: If infection is suspected.
Specialized wound dressings: To maintain moisture balance and promote healing.
Pressure relief strategies: To prevent further damage.

Unstageable ulcers are often a sign of severe neglect, especially in nursing homes. If your loved one has developed one, don’t wait to demand treatment and justice. Armando Personal Injury Law can fight to recover compensation for all current and future medical expenses.

Stage 4 bedsore lawsuit settlement amounts: Can you seek compensation?

A stage 4 bedsore is almost always preventable with proper care. When a hospital or nursing home fails to prevent or treat pressure ulcers, you or your loved one may be entitled to compensation. The value of a stage 4 bedsore lawsuit depends on several factors, including:

Extent of injury: More severe cases with complications like sepsis or amputation result in higher settlements.
Medical costs: Expenses for hospital stays, surgeries, and long-term care.
Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress.
Facility’s history: If the nursing home has a pattern of neglect, punitive damages may be awarded.

Settlements for severe bedsores can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, particularly if wrongful death occurs. A legal consultation with an experienced Tampa nursing home neglect lawyer can help determine the potential value of your case. Armando Personal Injury Law will accurately calculate the value of your case from the moment you file a claim until you or your loved one reaches maximum medical improvement.

How can Armando Personal Injury Law help?

If your loved one has suffered from an untreated or severe bedsore in a nursing home, it’s a sign of neglect and you have the right to take action. Armando Personal Injury Law fights for families affected by nursing home abuse and medical malpractice. No one should endure unnecessary pain due to a facility’s failure to provide proper care. We’re here to hold negligent caregivers accountable and seek the justice your loved one deserves.

When a bedsore reaches an advanced stage, our legal team will investigate what went wrong, gather evidence, and build a strong case to fight for compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Don’t let nursing home neglect go unchallenged. Taking legal action not only helps your loved one but also sends a message that negligent care won’t be tolerated. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on your family’s well-being. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s take the first step toward justice together.