Bed Sores And Pressure Sores Claims

Pressure sores, also known as pressure ulcers or bed sores, affect tens of thousands each year in the UK. They are an unwanted complication of illness, severe physical disability or increasing frailty, and are caused by pressure or shear forces over a bony prominence, mainly due to immobility. Pressure sores are largely preventable and are often the result of negligent care or nursing.

Bed Sores and Pressure Sores Claims Solicitors

If you believe that reasonable measures were not undertaken to avoid the development of what is an increasingly common but largely avertable injury, you could be due compensation for medical negligence.

Our specialist clinical negligence lawyers have successfully secured significant settlements, for clients who have suffered pressure sores due to the negligence of a health care provider.

We offer no win, no fee arrangements for our clients.

Call: 01429 225200

What are pressure sores and bed sores?

Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers and decubitus ulcers, are injuries to skin and underlying tissue due to prolonged pressure on the skin. Pressure sores can range in severity, from minor discolouration of the flesh to open wounds.

The lack of oxygen also means any sore that develops cannot receive infection-fighting white blood cells which can lead to further, dangerous complications, including:

Cellulitis
Blood poisoning
Bone and joint infection
Necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria)
Gas Gangrene

How to treat pressure sores

Treatment for bed sores varies, depending on the severity of the condition. The main types of treatment include:

regularly changing the patient's position, to prevent further pressure being put on areas vulnerable to bedsores
use of special mattresses and cushions
dressing the wound with either hydrocolloid dressings which encourage the growth of new cells or alginate dressings, made from seaweed, which speeds up the healing process
applying special creams and ointments to the area
if the bed sore is infected, you may be prescribed antibiotics

Common areas for pressure sores

Bedsores most often develop on skin that covers bony areas of the body, such as the heels, ankles, hips, and tailbone. The parts of the body most at risk of developing pressure ulcers are those that are not covered by a significant amount of body fat and are in direct contact with a supporting surface, such as a bed or a wheelchair.

The following factors increase the risk of a pressure sore developing:

the patient is unable or has difficulty moving
the patient is over 70 years old
conditions that lead to poor nutrition such as anorexia nervosa
an underlying health condition that affects the blood supply to the skin

Contact Our Medical Negligence Team

Here at Tilly Bailey & Irvine, our experienced specialist North East solicitors in Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees know that each medical negligence claim will be different. Our professional and sympathetic team will ensure you get the advice, help and compensation that you deserve.

Our medical negligence team understands the financial pressure many of our clients are under. Therefore, we offer no win, no fee arrangements.

Call: 01429 225200

Contact us for more details on how we can help.

Hartlepool: York Chambers, York Road, Hartlepool. TS26 9DP
Stockton: 11 Bridge Road, Stockton-on-Tees. TS18 3AD
Wynyard:12 Evolution,Wynyard Park, Wynyard .TS22 5TB
Barnard Castle:8 Newgate, Barnard Castle. DL12 8NG

Hartlepool: York Chambers, York Road, Hartlepool. TS26 9DP
Stockton: 11 Bridge Road, Stockton-on-Tees. TS18 3AD
Wynyard: 12 Evolution, Wynyard Park, Wynyard .TS22 5TB
Barnard Castle: 8 Newgate, Barnard Castle. DL12 8NG

Email: info@tbilaw.co.uk

0333 444 4422

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Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England (number OC315000) and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

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