A pressure sore is an injury caused to the skin and underlying tissue. They are also commonly called pressure ulcers, or bedsores.

Pressure sores are usually caused as a result of prolonged pressure to the skin. The pressure disrupts the flow of blood to the skin, which then becomes starved of oxygen and nutrients. Pressure sores usually affect people who are confined to bed, or a chair, for a long period. Those at risk are usually the elderly, people with paralysis, obesity or those suffering from a condition that affects blood supply, such as diabetes or kidney failure.

Claims for negligence in this area could result from:

• Failure to prevent pressure sores forming (for example, a no risk assessment or a failure to turn a patient)
• Delay in diagnosis
• Failure to treat a pressure sore

Negligence may arise in a variety of settings; for example, an NHS Hospital, or a private or local authority care home.

The effect of a pressure sore can be significant. Pressure sores can be painful and lead to long term complications, such as blood poisoning, infection and, in the most extreme cases, death.

Burnetts have specialist medical negligence solicitors, who are accredited by the specialist AvMA and law society panels, who can investigate your claim and help secure compensation.