Can I Sue a Nursing Home for Bed Sores in Tennessee?

A nursing home for a loved one is a deeply personal and significant choice that can greatly impact their well-being and quality of life. Families expect that their relatives will receive compassionate care, attention, and respect. So when preventable conditions like bed sores—also known as pressure ulcers—develop, it often raises a serious question: Can I sue a nursing home for bed sores in Tennessee?

At The Higgins Firm, we help families hold negligent facilities accountable when substandard care leads to harm. If you’ve discovered bed sores nursing home setting, it may be more than just poor hygiene—it could be a sign of neglect or abuse. Here’s what you need to know about your legal rights in Tennessee.

What Are Bed Sores and Why Are They Serious?

Bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, are painful wounds that form when constant pressure cuts off circulation to the skin. They typically appear on areas like the lower back, hips, heels, elbows, and tailbone, especially in individuals with limited movement.

In a nursing home environment, these sores usually occur when residents are not repositioned frequently enough, are left in the same position for hours, or are not provided proper hygiene and nutrition.

Untreated bed sores in nursing homes can lead to:

• Severe infections (including sepsis)
  
• Tissue damage and open wounds
  
• Hospitalization and long-term health complications
  
• Increased risk of death in elderly patients
  

While not every pressure ulcer is avoidable, most are highly preventable with basic care and routine monitoring.

Are Nursing Homes Legally Responsible for Bed Sores?

Yes, in many cases they are. Tennessee law requires nursing homes to provide a reasonable standard of care for their residents. If a facility fails to meet this duty, and a resident suffers injury as a result, the facility can be held legally accountable.

When evaluating whether bed sores in a nursing home constitute negligence, the following questions are often considered:

• Was the nursing staff adequately trained and supervised?
  
• Were the bed sores documented and treated promptly?
  
• Were there enough staff members to monitor and assist residents?
  
• Were warning signs of skin breakdown ignored?
  

If the answer to any of these questions is no, there may be a valid legal claim against the nursing home.

What Does a Lawsuit for Bed Sores Involve?

If you’re considering legal action due to bed sores in a nursing home, the process usually involves:

1. Investigation

Your attorney will begin by gathering medical records, facility reports, witness statements, and inspection histories to determine if the nursing home failed in its duty of care.

2. Consultation with Medical Professionals

In Tennessee, lawsuits involving medical negligence often require review by licensed medical providers to confirm that the standard of care was violated.

3. Filing a Claim

Once the evidence is strong, a personal injury or wrongful death claim is filed against the nursing home and/or its staff.

4. Negotiation or Trial

Many of these cases settle out of court, but if needed, your attorney will present the case to a jury.

Just like preparing for long-term care, such as creating an estate plan for a child with special needs, taking early legal steps and keeping detailed records is essential.

What Compensation Is Available?

Winning a lawsuit related to bed sores in a nursing home could lead to compensation for:

• Medical expenses and treatment
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Disfigurement or disability
  
• Wrongful death (if the resident passed away due to complications)
  

These damages serve not only to compensate the victim and their family, but also to deter negligent practices in other care facilities.

What Is the Time Limit to File a Lawsuit in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for nursing home injury cases is generally one year from the date the injury was discovered. Delaying action could cost you the ability to pursue a claim. That’s why it’s crucial to speak with an attorney promptly if you believe negligence has occurred.

Just like missing deadlines in estate planning for a special needs child can have long-term consequences, waiting too long to act after a nursing home injury can impact your case significantly.

Signs of Neglect Beyond Bed Sores

If your loved one has developed bed sores in a nursing home, other signs of neglect may also be present:

• Sudden weight loss or malnutrition
  
• Poor hygiene or dirty living conditions
  
• Unexplained bruises or injuries
  
• Emotional withdrawal or fear of staff
  
• Missed medications or medical appointments
  

Any of these may indicate broader systemic problems within the facility and should be addressed immediately.

What to Do If You Suspect Neglect

If you notice bed sores or suspect abuse or neglect in a nursing home, it’s important to act quickly by taking these steps:

1. Document the injury with photos, dates, and descriptions
   
2. Request medical attention for your loved one right away
   
3. Report the issue to the facility administrator
   
4. File a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Health
   
5. Consult with an attorney who handles elder neglect cases
   

Acting quickly not only protects your loved one but also helps prevent harm to other residents.

Final Thoughts: Accountability Matters

While nursing homes play a crucial role in caring for aging or disabled individuals, they must be held accountable when they fail to provide basic care. Bed sores in a nursing home are not just minor injuries—they are often a warning sign of neglect.

At The Higgins Firm, we are committed to standing up for families whose loved ones have been harmed in long-term care settings. If you believe a nursing home’s negligence caused unnecessary pain or injury, we’re here to help you take the next step.