Inadequate Monitoring Leads to Pressure Sores in Child. Compensation - £20,000
A young girl has been awarded £20,000 following negligence by medical professionals that led to pressure sores on her skin after an operation.
Pressure Sore Compensation Claims
If you or a loved one have experienced pressure sores due to medical negligence, you may be able to make a pressure sore compensation claim. These injuries are often avoidable with the right care. When doctors, nurses or care staff fail to take appropriate steps, pressure sores can develop and lead to serious harm. JMW supports people in pressure sore compensation claims based on a wide range of circumstances, helping them understand their options and take the next steps.
We recognise the physical impact and the psychological effect these injuries can have on people who live with them, as well as the wider impact on family members. JMW handles pressure sore claims with a clear and practical approach. We investigate the care you received, gather medical records and evidence, and work with independent experts to build your case.
If you are considering a pressure sore compensation claim, speak to us for a free case assessment. We handle cases on a no win, no fee basis, so there is no financial risk to you. Call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form and we will arrange a time to speak with you.
On This Page
- What Our Clients Say
- How JMW Can Help
- Meet the Team
- Case Studies
- What Are Pressure Sores and How Do They Develop?
- Can I Claim Compensation for a Pressure Sore?
- Does the Severity of Pressure Sores Affect Compensation?
- How a Pressure Sore Claim Works
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Pressure Sores?
- FAQs About Pressure Sore Claims
What Our Clients Say
How JMW Can Help
JMW provides clear, practical support for people making pressure sore compensation claims arising from medical negligence. We understand how distressing it can be to realise that pressure sores developed or worsened due to substandard care. Our role is to investigate what happened, explain your options, and guide you through each stage of your claim.
From the outset, we carry out a detailed review of your case. This includes gathering your medical records, reviewing care plans, and speaking with you and your family about what you experienced. Where appropriate, we work with independent medical experts to assess the care provided by doctors, nurses or carers, and to understand how this led to pressure sores developing. This approach allows us to build a strong medical negligence claim based on clear evidence.
We also recognise that many people come to us on behalf of a family member who may not be able to pursue a claim themselves. A claim can still be pursued through a “litigation friend” and we frequently conduct cases in this way and provide to the claimant and their family.
Our clinical negligence team is led by joint heads Eddie Jones and Angharad Hughes, both of whom have extensive experience handling medical negligence cases. Our team includes members of the Law Society’s specialist panel of clinical negligence solicitors and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors panel. This reflects the depth of knowledge and experience we bring to every case.
JMW is recognised in leading independent legal directories, including Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, where we are ranked as a Tier 1 firm for clinical negligence. Our solicitors are known for their thorough preparation, attention to detail, and ability to handle complex claims involving serious injury and long-term impact.
The vast majority of our cases are funded by a “no win, no fee” agreement, known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA). Whilst your solicitor will of course discuss this with you and advise on the best options available, the important thing to remember is that if the case is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay our legal fees, so there is no financial risk to you.
Meet The Team
Our clinical negligence solicitors have a wealth of legal knowledge, and can give you the best possible chance of successfully claiming compensation for the injury you have suffered.
Case Studies
Pressure Sores in Care Home. Compensation - £25,000
With JMW's help, the family of an elderly woman have been awarded £25,000 compensation after negligent care and treatment of her pressure sores sadly led to her death.
Severe Pressure Sores Due to Poor Nursing Care. Compensation - £31,000
JMW has secured a £31,000 settlement for an elderly woman after she was left with severe pressure sores following negligent care in the hands of medical professionals.
Post Surgery Pressure Sores in Care Home. Compensation - £5,625
JMW has been successful in helping an elderly woman receive a £5,625 compensation settlement after negligent post-surgery care in her care home led to pressure sores.
Inadequate Monitoring Leads to Pressure Sores. Compensation - £20,000
Annie was referred to hospital with a history of discomfort in the right hip. It was decided she would undergo hip replacement surgery. The GP noted that she had varicose veins with extensive varicose eczema. Annie was particularly concerned about skin problems if she were to proceed to surgery.
What Are Pressure Sores and How Do They Develop?
Pressure sores - also known as pressure ulcers or bed sores - are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure on that particular area of the body. They often develop when someone is unable to move regularly, which can compromise blood flow to the skin and lead to injury or damage occurring.
These injuries are most common in areas where bones are close to the skin, such as the heels, hips, lower back and elbows. When pressure is not relieved, the skin can begin to break down. In some cases, pressure sores develop quickly, sometimes within a matter of hours; particularly in people who are already unwell or have limited mobility.
The early signs of pressure sores can include discoloured or mottled skin, tenderness, or areas that feel warm or firm to the touch. Without appropriate care, this can progress to more serious damage, including partial-thickness skin loss, open wounds, and in severe cases, deep injuries affecting the underlying tissues. These more advanced pressure sores can lead to complications such as infection, delayed wound healing, and in extreme cases, life-threatening conditions.
Healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses and carers, have a responsibility to prevent pressure sores. This can include regular repositioning, using preventative equipment such as an air-flow or pressure-relieving mattresses, monitoring skin health, and responding to early signs before damage progresses. Where these measurements aren’t implemented or where the risk isn’t adequately assessed and appreciated, pressure sores can develop.
For more information about how pressure sores develop and how they should be managed, you can visit the NHS website.
Can I Claim Compensation for a Pressure Sore?
You may be able to make a pressure sore compensation claim if they have developed because of a lack of medical care. In these cases, the issue is not simply that pressure sores developed, but that they developed due to a lack of care by the healthcare professionals.
To bring a successful claim, it must be shown that:
- The person treating the patient owed a duty of care;
- That the duty was breached, and;
- That, on the “balance of probability”, this led to the pressure sores developing or worsening.
Pressure sores often arise in hospitals, care homes or other care settings. Many people who experience them are already in a vulnerable position, such as those with reduced mobility or serious illness, and as such skin integrity may already be weakened or susceptible to damage. In these situations it is therefore vitally important that the risk of injury is identified, assessed, and any measures put in place to guard against pressure sores/damage occurring.
Therefore, you may be able to claim compensation for pressure sores if there were failures to:
- Reposition a patient frequently to relieve pressure
- Carry out or act on risk assessments for those at high risk
- Use an appropriate pressure-relieving mattresses or cushion/s
- Maintain good hygiene or wound care
- Identify any warning signs, through regular monitoring
- Provide appropriate treatment
Does the Severity of Pressure Sores Affect Compensation?
The severity of pressure sores is a central factor in pressure sore compensation claims, as it directly affects the level of harm caused and the long-term impact on a person’s life. Pressure sores are typically categorised into four grades, ranging from mild skin damage to deep wounds affecting underlying tissues.
- Grade 1: early damage to the patient’s skin, often presenting as discolouration or tenderness. At this stage, the skin remains intact, but there is a clear indication that pressure has begun to reduce blood flow.
- Grade 2: partial-thickness skin loss, where the outer layer of skin is damaged. This may appear as a blister or shallow open wound.
- Grade 3: full-thickness skin loss, where the damage extends deeper into the tissue, forming a more serious wound that may require ongoing medical treatment.
- Grade 4: the most severe type of pressure sore, involving a deep wound that can expose muscle or bone and affect underlying tissues. These injuries carry a significant risk of complications, including infection and delayed wound healing.
As pressure sores become more severe, the risk of long-term complications increases. Serious pressure sores can lead to reduced mobility, ongoing care needs, and in some cases life-threatening infection. They may also contribute to wider health issues, particularly in people who are already vulnerable due to severe illness or limited mobility.
When assessing compensation, several factors need to be considered:
- The extent of the physical injury and damage to underlying tissues
- The level of pain and impact on daily life
- Whether the pressure sores led to additional complications, such as infection or further medical treatment
- The psychological impact of living with a serious and often preventable injury
- Any ongoing care or support required as a result
In more serious cases, such as those involving grade 4 pressure sore compensation, the long-term effects can be significant. These may include permanent damage, increased dependency on others, and wider financial losses linked to care needs and medical expenses.
How a Pressure Sore Claim Works
Making a pressure sore compensation claim follows a clear process. At JMW, we focus on building strong cases based on all of the available evidence while keeping the process as straightforward as possible.
- Free initial assessment: we discuss what happened, review the care provided, and advise on whether you can make a pressure sore claim.
- Gathering evidence: we obtain medical records, review care plans, and take detailed accounts from you and any family members involved.
- Expert review: independent medical experts assess whether doctors, nurses or carers provided an acceptable standard of care and whether any failures identified led to pressure sores developing.
- Building the claim: we prepare a robust claim and then advance this to the defendant.
- Resolution: many pressure sore claims are resolved without a court hearing, as is most litigation, but of course if a trial takes place, we will be there to represent you.
To find out more about how your claim is likely to progress, read our guide to medical negligence claims, or get in touch with our team for more specific advice.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Pressure Sores?
The amount of pressure sore compensation awarded in a claim will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. No two claims are the same, and the level of compensation reflects the impact the injury has had on your life.
Compensation in law is divided into:
- General damages, covering pain, suffering and any loss of amenity
- Special damages, covering financial losses and future quantifiable needs
In cases involving serious pressure sores, the effects can be long-term and may require ongoing support. A successful pressure sore compensation claim aims to place you, in so far as possible, in the position you should have been in had the negligence never occurred.
We will assess your individual circumstances and provide clear advice on your claim, helping you understand what can be included and how your claim will be valued.
FAQs About Pressure Sore Claims
- What are the risk factors of pressure sores?
People who are at a higher risk of developing pressure sores can include those who:
- Have reduced mobility or are largely sedentary in a bed or chair
- Live with spinal cord injuries or neurological conditions
- Have poor circulation or fragile skin
- Rely on others for repositioning and personal care
Medical staff should identify any increased risk at an early stage and take the necessary steps to protect the integrity of the patient’s skin.
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- How should pressure sores be treated?
Treatment for pressure sores depends on the severity of the injury. In the early stages, relieving pressure on the affected area and protecting the patient’s skin can prevent the condition from worsening. This may involve regular repositioning, the use of pressure-relieving mattresses, and careful monitoring.
For more advanced pressure sores, treatment may include wound care, dressings, and management of any infection. In some cases, further medical treatment is needed to support wound healing and prevent further complications developing.
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- What are the time limits for pressure sore claims?
There is a time limit of three years in which to issue court proceedings from the date the damage occurred, however, it is better to consult our team sooner rather than later to ensure the time limit is met.
There are some exceptions to this three-year rule, namely:
- For children, the three-year period begins when they turn 18.
- For people who lack mental capacity, the three-year limitation period may not apply at all.
You can read more in our guide to time limits for medical negligence claims.
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- How long will a pressure sore claim take?
The time it takes to resolve matters successfully will depend on a number of factors:
- The severity of the pressure sores
- The expert evidence required both to investigate the claim and quantify it
- How cooperative the defendant is and whether liability is accepted or disputed
The important thing to note is that we will keep you informed throughout each stage and will always provide a detailed caseplan, so you know what to expect and by when.
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- Will I have to go to court?
Most cases do not require a court hearing and resolution is achieved amicably..
If court proceedings are needed, we will guide you through the process and represent you at every stage.
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Talk to Us
If you or a loved one have experienced pressure sores due to medical negligence, speak to our team about making a pressure sore compensation claim.
Call JMW on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a free, no obligation case assessment. We will listen to your experience, explain your options, and help you take the next step.
