Bedsores, also called pressure ulcers, may develop when medical staff fail to provide proper care, such as regularly repositioning patients or monitoring vulnerable skin. If you or a loved one suffered a bedsore due to medical negligence in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for losses caused by the injury.
When neglect leads to serious harm, Florida law allows victims to seek compensation for medical costs, lost income, emotional distress, and more. Because malpractice claims can be complex and time-sensitive, it can be helpful to have a Florida medical malpractice lawyer to help gather evidence, prove negligence, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
What Is A Bedsore And Why Does It Matter In Malpractice Claims?
A bedsore is a wound that develops when constant pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin and underlying tissue. They often form on the bony areas of the body, like the hips, heels, tailbone, or back, when a patient is left in one position too long without being moved or monitored.
In medical settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, staff are expected to prevent bedsores by repositioning patients regularly, keeping skin clean and dry, and providing proper nutrition and hydration.
These wounds are not only painful but can lead to life-threatening infections and long-term disability. Because preventing bedsores is part of basic patient safety, their presence may be evidence that a facility or provider failed to meet accepted standards of care.
Understanding how these injuries occur and why they matter legally helps you see what types of compensation you might be eligible for if you’ve been harmed.
Compensation For Economic Losses Caused By A Bedsore
Compensation for economic losses covers the direct financial costs caused by a bedsore and its complications. These losses are typically documented through medical bills, receipts, and employment records.
Common examples include:
Medical Expenses (Past And Future)
Treatment for bedsores can be extensive, especially for advanced Stage 3 or Stage 4 wounds. You may be compensated for costs like:
- Hospitalization
- Surgery to remove dead tissue
- Antibiotics for infection
- Wound dressings
- Specialized therapies like negative pressure wound therapy
If long-term care is needed—such as regular visits to a wound care center or skilled nursing support at home—those projected costs may also be included.
Rehabilitation And Supportive Care
Severe bedsores can lead to reduced mobility and disability. Compensation can cover physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mobility aids like wheelchairs or special mattresses to prevent further ulcers.
Lost Income And Job Losses
If the injury kept you from working or forced you to reduce hours, you may recover lost wages. In more serious cases, where complications cause permanent limitations, you can also claim lost future earning capacity.
Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
Transportation to medical appointments, wound care supplies, or home modifications can all be part of an economic damages claim.
Because proving the long-term cost of a serious bedsore requires medical and financial expertise, a malpractice attorney can work with professionals to calculate fair and accurate numbers.
Compensation For Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic losses are the human impact of a severe bedsore: how it affects your comfort, independence, and emotional well-being. These losses are often just as significant as financial harm. A Florida medical malpractice claim can include compensation for:
Pain And Suffering
Bedsores are often extremely painful, especially when they reach deeper tissues or become infected, which can lead to fevers, swelling, and oozing. Compensation can reflect the physical agony of treatment, surgical procedures, and the long recovery period.
Emotional Distress
Living with a serious bedsore can cause anxiety, depression, or feelings of helplessness. Some patients experience embarrassment or isolation because of their wounds.
Loss Of Quality Of Life
Severe ulcers can limit your mobility, independence, and ability to enjoy activities you once did, including travel, hobbies, and social time with family and friends.
Disfigurement Or Scarring
Even after healing, advanced bedsores can leave permanent scars or tissue damage, impacting appearance and self-esteem.
An attorney can present evidence—such as personal testimony, photographs, and expert insight—to help the court or insurance company understand the depth of your suffering.
How To Build A Malpractice Case And Who To Build Your Case Against
If you or a loved one developed a bedsore, we can help you prove your case by proving the four elements of medical negligence apply to your situation:
- Duty of care, or the at-fault party’s responsibility to treat patients according to an accepted standard of care
- Breach of duty, or the at-fault party’s failure to fulfill their duty of care
- Causation, meaning the at-fault party’s negligence caused your bedsore
- Damages, or the financial, physical, and emotional consequences of your injury
We can pursue a claim against anyone to whom the above elements apply. This could be an individual provider, like a doctor or a nurse, or an entire institution, like a hospital or a nursing home.
Identifying all liable parties is vital to ensuring you seek maximum compensation.
Florida’s Statute Of Limitations For Bedsore Malpractice Claims
In Florida, most medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. However, there is also an overall time limit of four years from the date of the malpractice, even if you didn’t know about it right away.
While there may be exceptions, these rules are strict, and missing a deadline can permanently bar your claim. Because timing is critical and calculating the exact filing window can be complex, it’s wise to speak with a Florida medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.
Contact Anidjar & Levine To Discuss Your Malpractice Case Today
A serious bedsore caused by medical negligence can bring lasting pain, costly treatment, and a major disruption to your life. Florida law gives you the right to seek compensation for both the financial losses and the suffering caused by this preventable injury.
The Florida medical malpractice attorneys at Anidjar & Levine know how to investigate negligence, work with medical experts, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation and let us help you take the next step toward justice and recovery.
We Can Help.
