Columbia Bedsore Attorney

Ready to Protect Your Loved One

When your loved one moves into a nursing home, hospital, or assisted living facility, you trust that they will be treated with compassion and care. Unfortunately, many families discover that neglect is far more common than expected—especially when their loved one develops bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers). These painful injuries are preventable and are often a clear sign of neglect or abuse.

At Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC, our Columbia bedsore lawyers represent victims and families across South Carolina who have been harmed by nursing home negligence. We fight to hold facilities accountable for the pain and suffering they cause and to secure the compensation your loved one deserves.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help your family seek the justice you deserve.

What is a Bedsore?

A bedsore, or pressure ulcer, is a type of injury to the skin and underlying tissue that occurs when prolonged pressure restricts blood flow to a certain area of the body. Without adequate blood circulation, the tissue begins to break down, leading to painful open wounds that can become severely infected.

Bedsores typically develop on areas of the body where the bone is close to the skin, including:

• The hips and buttocks
• Heels and ankles
• Tailbone and lower back
• Shoulders and elbows

There are four stages of bedsores:

• Stage 1: Red or discolored skin that may be tender or warm to the touch.
• Stage 2: The skin breaks open or forms a blister, leading to pain and visible wounds.
• Stage 3: The sore deepens, damaging tissue beneath the skin’s surface.
• Stage 4: The most severe stage, where muscle, bone, or tendons are exposed and infection risk is extremely high.

When properly cared for, most residents should never reach the later stages of a bedsore. The presence of advanced bedsores often indicates that staff failed to meet even basic standards of care.

Common Causes of Bedsores

Bedsores are preventable injuries. Their occurrence usually signals neglect—either from understaffing, lack of training, or outright carelessness. Common causes include:

• Failure to Reposition Residents: Elderly or immobile patients must be regularly repositioned to prevent pressure from building up on one area of the body. If staff members fail to do this every few hours, bedsores can quickly form.
• Poor Hygiene and Inadequate Skin Care: Unclean bedding, moisture from sweat or urine, and unwashed skin can accelerate skin breakdown. Facilities have a duty to keep residents clean and dry to avoid such complications.
• Malnutrition and Dehydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are critical to maintaining healthy skin and promoting healing. Neglected residents often suffer from poor diets, making them more susceptible to pressure ulcers.
• Lack of Medical Attention: Early-stage bedsores can often be treated effectively if caught in time. When caregivers ignore warning signs or delay treatment, the sores can rapidly worsen.
• Understaffing and Inadequate Supervision: Many nursing homes are short-staffed, leading to overworked caregivers who cannot provide adequate care for every resident. This systemic neglect can result in severe, untreated bedsores.

The Aftermath of Bedsores

The physical and emotional toll of bedsores can be devastating—particularly for elderly or medically fragile individuals. Left untreated, bedsores can cause:

• Severe infections, including sepsis and bone infections (osteomyelitis)
• Extended hospital stays and painful medical treatments
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Amputation in extreme cases
• Death due to infection-related complications

For families, discovering that a loved one has been neglected can be heartbreaking. Not only must you manage their medical recovery, but you must also grapple with the betrayal of trust by those responsible for their care.

At Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC, our compassionate Columbia bedsore attorneys help families hold negligent facilities accountable. We investigate the causes of the injury, gather medical evidence, and pursue full compensation for damages such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Holding Negligent Facilities Accountable

South Carolina law allows victims of nursing home neglect to pursue legal action when a facility breaches its duty of care. Through a bedsore injury claim, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (including wound care and hospitalization)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Loss of dignity and quality of life
• Punitive damages, if the neglect was particularly egregious

Our legal team can help you file a claim against the responsible parties, which may include:

• Nursing homes or assisted living facilities
• Hospitals or rehabilitation centers
• Individual caregivers or administrators

We understand how complex and emotional these cases can be. Our firm approaches every case with empathy and determination—fighting for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Bedsore FAQs

Are bedsores always a sign of neglect?

While some medical conditions can increase the risk of developing pressure ulcers, most bedsores are preventable with proper care. When they occur in nursing homes or hospitals, neglect is often a factor.

How long does it take for a bedsore to form?

Bedsores can develop in as little as a few hours when a person remains in the same position for too long without relief from pressure.

Can I file a lawsuit if my loved one developed bedsores in a nursing home?

Yes. If a facility’s negligence caused or worsened your loved one’s condition, you may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Our Columbia bedsore lawyer from Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC can help you determine your legal options.

How much compensation can we recover?

The value of your claim depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, medical expenses, and the level of negligence involved. Our attorneys will evaluate all aspects of your case to pursue the maximum recovery possible.

What should I do if I suspect nursing home neglect?

Document the injury, take photos if possible, and report your concerns to facility management. Then, contact an attorney immediately to protect your loved one’s rights and begin investigating the cause.

Contact a Columbia Bedsore Lawyer Today

No one should have to suffer from preventable injuries like bedsores—especially in a place meant to provide care and safety. If your loved one developed bedsores in a Columbia nursing home, assisted living facility, or hospital, you deserve answers and justice.

Let Smith Born Leventis Taylor & Vega, LLC help. Our experienced Columbia bedsore attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and dedication to hold negligent parties accountable.

Call (803) 599-2207 to start the process and see how we can help you move forward with understanding and confidence.