Pressure Sore Claims

Pressure sores can be very serious. They can be painful and take a long time to heal and some do not heal at all. They can lead to infection. They can restrict your ability to walk or move.

Preventing Pressure Sores

All patients admitted to hospital should be assessed on admission to hospital under the Waterlow system. The higher their Waterlow score, the greater the risk of pressure sores. Nurses should prevent pressure sores developing by providing an appropriate bed and making sure patients move (and if necessary are turned). If this was not done because of nursing errors you may be able to claim compensation for pressure sores.

Preventing Plaster Sores

Plaster sores should not occur if plaster casts are applied correctly. If you have complained of an area of pain under the plaster, the plaster should be removed so that the area can be checked for sores or ulcers.

Our approach to pressure sore claims

We have recovered large awards of compensation for clients who developed pressure sores or plaster sores as a result of medical or nursing errors.  Most recently we represented the Simper family, whose husband/father died due to negligence at a care home.

Read the BBC coverage on Mr Simper's case

Read the Daily Mail's coverage of Mr Simper's case

Other cases have included:

• Failure to carry out an adequate assessment
• Failure to prevent pressure sores by providing an adequate bed or providing proper nursing care
• Putting on bandages too tight
• Putting on plaster too tight

For clients who have developed a disability because of pressure sores or plaster sores, compensation can be very important for their quality of life.

Compensation can enable them to have:

• Private medical treatment, avoiding delays and in greater comfort than in NHS hospitals
• Nursing care at home
• Help with housework
• Money to make good any loss of earnings

Contact our expert medical negligence solicitors to discuss your pressure sore claim

Please call 0800 916 9049, email enquiries@rjw.co.uk or use the short online enquiry form. Our dedicated medical negligence solicitors will be able to offer you a free initial consultation.

With offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Cardiff and Edinburgh RJW can offer immediate and accessible representation anywhere in the UK. 

Our expert team can also advise you on funding options for bringing a pressure sore claim and any time constraints you may need to keep in mind when bringing a claim.