When families entrust their loved ones to nursing homes in Mississippi, they expect safety, dignity, and attentive care. However, one of the most distressing signs that something has gone terribly wrong is the appearance of bedsores (also called pressure ulcers). These painful and sometimes life-threatening wounds are often preventable, and their presence may indicate neglect or abuse.
I’m Jonathan Barrett, a nursing home abuse lawyer in Mississippi with decades of experience helping families hold care facilities accountable. At Barrett Law, PLLC, we represent residents who have suffered due to neglect—especially when facilities fail to prevent bedsores, respond to them promptly, or provide adequate treatment. In many cases, the existence of severe or recurring bedsores is more than a medical issue—it’s a legal issue.
This article explains what bedsores are, common scenarios in which they arise, what Mississippi nursing homes are legally required to do to prevent them, and how families can protect their rights. If you suspect your loved one has developed bedsores due to neglect, understanding your legal options can make a crucial difference.
What Are Bedsores, and How Do They Occur
Bedsores (pressure ulcers) are injuries to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, friction, or moisture. They most often develop over bony areas—heels, hips, tailbone, spine, shoulders—and can range from mild redness to deep wounds exposing muscle or bone.
Common factors contributing to bedsores in nursing homes include:
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Immobility or inability to reposition without assistance
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Incontinence or prolonged exposure to moisture
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Poor nutrition or dehydration
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Thin or fragile skin (often in older or medically fragile residents)
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Lack of proper bedding or pressure-relieving surfaces
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Inadequate staffing and care routines
A stage 1 bedsore appears as persistent redness or discoloration. By stage 3 or 4, the tissue damage is deep, increasing risk of infection, sepsis, or worse. The worse the stage, the more likely neglect is involved.
Who Is Affected and Typical Scenarios Where Bedsores Signal Neglect
Many nursing home residents are vulnerable due to age, illness, or both. Commonly affected residents include:
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Those confined to beds or wheelchairs who cannot reposition themselves
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Residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease who may not report discomfort
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Chronically ill or disabled persons with limited mobility
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People recovering from surgery or with healing wounds
Scenarios that often lead to serious bedsores include:
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A resident left lying in one position for hours or days without repositioning
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Inadequate staff to assist with turning, cleaning, drying, or checking skin
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Poor hygiene—wet or soiled bedding, clothing, or linens left too long
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Facilities failing to inspect residents regularly or document skin changes
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A resident with early-stage sores that are ignored or treated improperly
When neglect like that occurs, the facility may be legally liable for harm to the resident. Barrett Law, PLLC sees cases where families discover a worsening sore, infection, or other medical complications that could have been prevented with basic care.
Legal Duties Nursing Homes Have in Mississippi
State Regulations
Mississippi has licensing standards and minimum operational rules for nursing homes. For example:
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Rule 45 under Mississippi Code Ann. §43-11‑13 sets minimum standards for institutions for the aged or infirm. These standards address matters such as adequate beds, rails, linens, bathing and toilet facilities, privacy, and safety features.
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It is required by Mississippi regulations that either a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse be on active duty at all times in nursing facilities.
These rules impose duties for staff levels, care routines, and oversight, all of which are relevant to preventing bedsores.
Federal Regulations
Nursing homes that receive Medicaid or Medicare funding must comply with the Nursing Home Reform Act (42 U.S.C. § 1395i‑3) and corresponding regulations. Among other obligations, federal rules require:
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Residents must not develop pressure ulcers unless unavoidable due to their clinical condition.
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Existing pressure sores must receive treatment to promote healing, prevent infection, and prevent new sores.
These obligations create legal benchmarks by which to measure whether the facility has met its care responsibilities. Facilities who fail may be violating residents’ rights.
Legal Standards & Liability
In Mississippi, families may pursue claims based on:
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Negligence — failing to provide care consistent with what a reasonably prudent facility would provide
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Medical malpractice (in some cases)
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Wrongful death, if a bedsore leads to fatal complications
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Breach of regulatory or licensing standards, which may support negligence claims
Statutes of limitation often apply; typically a three‑year limit for nursing home abuse or neglect claims, though circumstances may extend or shorten deadlines.
Common Injuries and Complications from Bedsores
Bedsores are not just wounds; when neglected, they can lead to serious health problems:
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Severe infections (cellulitis, osteomyelitis)
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Sepsis
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Pain and suffering, reduced mobility
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Extended hospitalization
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Permanent injury to skin, muscle, bone
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Increased risk of death, especially in older or chronically ill nursing home residents
These injuries come with both physical and emotional tolls—and often significant medical costs, which the facility may be liable to cover.
Practical Tips: What Families Should Do If They Suspect Neglect
Here are steps family members should take if they believe bedsores signify nursing home neglect:
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Document everything
Take clear photos of the bedsores (multiple angles), dates, staff names, conditions of bed linens and bedding, hygiene, etc. -
Keep medical records
Obtain copies of care plans, skin assessments, wound care orders, incident reports. -
Report to appropriate authorities
File complaints with the Mississippi Department of Health, the facility administrator, or long‑term care ombudsman. -
Communicate in writing
Send letters or emails to the facility; keep copies for your records. -
Monitor treatment
Ensure that preventive measures—regular repositioning, special mattresses, wound dressings—are used as required. -
Seek medical evaluation
A physician should assess the sore, recommend treatment, and possibly testify if needed. -
Contact a nursing home abuse attorney early
So evidence can be preserved, policies reviewed, and potential litigation or settlement explored.
Barrett Law, PLLC offers free consultations to evaluate whether a loved one’s bedsores indicate neglect and to help gather necessary evidence and documentation.
Legal Challenges and How Barrett Law, PLLC Can Help
In many nursing home bedsore cases, insurers and facilities raise defenses such as:
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Claiming the resident’s health condition made the sore unavoidable
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Arguing that the family did not communicate concerns in time
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Asserting facility complied with all regulations and documentation
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Suggesting the sore developed after a change of facility or due to intercurrent illness
barrett Law, PLLC confronts these challenges by:
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Retaining medical experts to assess whether the facility’s actions or omissions violated standard of care
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Analyzing regulatory compliance and inspection histories
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Reviewing staffing levels, training, and whether staff were overworked or improperly supervised
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Demanding transparency about facility policies, documentation, and oversight
Nursing Home Neglect FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here are common questions families ask when they notice bedsores in nursing homes, with detailed answers:
What exactly is a bedsore (pressure ulcer) and what are the stages?
A bedsore begins when pressure on bony areas reduces blood flow, damaging skin and deeper tissues. Stages range from mild (red discoloration) to severe (open wound reaching muscle or bone). Stage 1 is earliest and superficial; stage 4 is most serious. Advanced stages often signal that preventive care was lacking.
Are bedsores always a sign of neglect?
Not always. Some residents are medically fragile; certain conditions make prevention harder. But when a facility does not reposition, clean, dry, or provide proper mattresses—even for residents with known risk—bedsores often reflect neglect.
How often must nursing home staff reposition a resident?
Best practices (and many regulatory standards) call for repositioning every two hours for bedridden residents. Staff should check skin regularly. When this doesn’t happen and bedsores result, that’s a strong sign of substandard care.
What if the facility claims the sore was “unavoidable”?
That’s a common defense. But “unavoidable” requires strong medical documentation showing that all reasonable steps were taken—turning, moisture control, proper nutrition. Many cases can show the facility fell short of those steps.
How soon must I act if I suspect neglect?
Mississippi statutes of limitations for nursing home abuse or neglect claims are generally 3 years. Acting promptly preserves evidence: photos, medical charts, wound care orders, staff logs. Delays can harm your case.
What damages can I recover in a bedsore/ neglect lawsuit?
You may recover medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, cost of additional care, and possibly punitive damages if the facility’s conduct was grossly negligent. In wrongful death cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship may also be included.
Do federal laws protect nursing home residents from neglect?
Yes. Nursing homes receiving Medicaid/Medicare must comply with federal rules under the Nursing Home Reform Act. That includes obligation not to allow bedsores unless unavoidable and to treat existing ones. Violations of federal rules can be evidence in state negligence or abuse lawsuits.
Can I sue if my loved one has dementia or other cognitive impairments and did not report the sore?
Yes. Facilities are legally obligated to monitor skin, reposition residents, maintain hygiene, regardless of whether the resident reports pain. Cognitive impairment does not relieve the facility of its duties.
What role do inspections and licensing violations play?
Mississippi has minimum care standards under state regulations (see Rule 45, Miss. Code Ann. §43‑11‑13). Inspection reports, past violations, deficiency citations can show repeated failures. These are strong evidence in litigation.
How do I choose a nursing home abuse lawyer in Mississippi?
Look for someone with experience in elder abuse litigation, good track record in bedsore or neglect cases, someone who will investigate thoroughly, work with medical experts, and handle your case aggressively. Barrett Law, PLLC fits those criteria.
Call Jonathan Barrett For a FREE Consultation
Have You or Your Loved Suffered Nursing Home Abuse in Mississippi? Call Mississippi Nursing Home Abuse claim Attorney Jonathan Barrett 24/7/365 at (601) 790-1505 for Your FREE Consultation
If you believe your loved one has developed bedsores due to neglect, but the facility isn’t taking responsibility, you don’t have to accept harm in silence. At Barrett Law, PLLC, we assist families across Mississippi—Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Olive Branch, Tupelo, Meridian, Pearl, Madison, Greenville, Oxford, Clinton, Horn Lake, Brandon—to investigate neglect, enforce standards, and pursue full compensation. We will gather medical records, expert opinions, regulatory reports, and fight for the justice your loved one deserves.
Barrett Law Represents Nursing Home Abuse Victims Throughout Mississippi
Jonathan Barrett Fights for Mississippians – Call 24/7/365 at (601) 790-1505 to Receive Your FREE Consultation
