Ross F. Mann | December 8, 2025 | Nursing Home Abuse
Bedsores are among the most preventable injuries in medical settings. When a patient enters a Kentucky hospital or nursing home, one of the most basic expectations is that they will receive attentive, proper care. Yet thousands of vulnerable individuals suffer painful, dangerous bedsores each year. These injuries are caused by neglect, understaffing, or inadequate medical oversight.
It is important to understand your rights when a facility fails to protect a patient. Bedsores are rarely “accidents.” They almost always indicate that someone failed to meet basic standards of care. Understanding who is legally responsible, how to prove negligence, and what steps to take can make a significant difference in your ability to obtain justice and compensation.
Who is Legally Responsible for Bedsores in Kentucky?
Under Kentucky law, hospitals and nursing homes owe patients a duty to provide reasonable, attentive, and professional care. Bedsores develop when patients are left in one position for too long without being repositioned, cleaned, or monitored. They are especially common in individuals who are bedridden, immobile, or medically fragile.
This means that hospitals and nursing homes are typically responsible for preventing bedsores—and they are legally accountable when they occur.
Nursing Homes
Kentucky nursing homes must comply with both federal regulations and Kentucky-specific resident protection laws.
These rules require:
- Regular repositioning of residents
- Skin assessments
- Adequate hydration and nutrition
- Clean bedding and sanitary conditions
- Proper staffing levels
If a nursing home resident develops a bedsore, it often signals that one or more of these obligations were ignored.
Hospitals
Hospitals in Kentucky must adhere to professional standards of medical care.
When bedridden patients are not turned, monitored, or treated for early signs of pressure injuries, the hospital may be liable for:
- Negligent nursing care
- Inadequate staffing
- Failure to follow wound-care protocols
- Lack of supervision or improper documentation
In both settings, the facility or individual staff members can be held legally responsible.
Why Bedsores Often Indicate Negligence
Bedsores are considered “never events” in the healthcare world. This means they should never happen if proper care is provided. They develop gradually over hours or days, giving trained staff more than enough time to intervene.
Common causes of preventable bedsores include:
- Failure to turn the patient every two hours
- Leaving a patient in soiled sheets or clothing
- Ignoring early redness or skin breakdown
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Poor hygiene practices
- Understaffing or improper training
- Failure to develop or follow a care plan
If any of these factors caused or contributed to the injury, the facility may be held liable for negligence.
How to Hold Hospitals or Nursing Homes Liable for Bedsores
To bring a successful bedsore claim under Kentucky law, you must show that:
- The facility owed a duty of care to the patient
- They breached that duty by failing to take reasonable steps to prevent bedsores
- The breath directly caused the bedsore or worsened the patient’s condition
- The patient suffered damages, such as pain, infection, hospitalization, or wrongful death
Kentucky requires plaintiffs in medical negligence cases to present evidence demonstrating that the facility did not provide care consistent with accepted medical standards. Nursing home neglect cases operate similarly. They may also involve violations of residents’ rights under Kentucky law.
How a Kentucky Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Bedsores can lead to severe infections, amputations, sepsis, or even wrongful death. Families often feel overwhelmed, angry, and unsure where to turn. Our skilled nursing home abuse attorneys can help protect your loved one and hold negligent facilities accountable.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can help by:
- Investigating the facility’s conduct
- Gathering medical records and expert testimony
- Identifying policy violations and staffing failures
- Calculating damages, including medical costs, pain and suffering, and long-term care
- Negotiating with insurers and corporate defense teams
- Filing a lawsuit if the facility refuses to take responsibility
Patients and families deserve answers when preventable injuries occur. A dedicated attorney ensures the facility cannot hide behind excuses or incomplete records.
Contact Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you suspect that a bedsore resulted from neglect in a Kentucky hospital or nursing home, do not wait. Bedsores progress rapidly, and early legal action can prevent further harm, preserve critical evidence, and protect the rights of vulnerable patients.
Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you understand your options. We will investigate the wrongdoing and pursue accountability against negligent facilities. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Let our team fight for the justice your loved one deserves.
If you were injured in an accident in Lexington, and need legal help, contact our personal injury attorneys at Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free case review today.
We proudly serve Fayette County and the surrounding areas.
Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers – Lexington
501 Darby Creek Rd UNIT 48
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 413-3900
