When Basic Care Is Neglected: How Pressure Ulcers and Infections Put Loved Ones at Risk

Written by Steven Peck, ESQ. Category: Elder Abuse & Neglect September 5th, 2025 5 min read

When Basic Care Is Neglected: How Pressure Ulcers and Infections Put Loved Ones at Risk

The following is based on real cases our firm has handled. Specific names of facilities and individuals have been removed to protect privacy.

At the Peck Law Group, we have seen far too many families face the same painful truth: when hospitals and nursing homes neglect basic care, elderly patients can suffer devastating injuries. Pressure ulcers (commonly called bedsores), untreated infections, and malnutrition are not inevitable — facilities can prevent them with proper care.

A recent case in Los Angeles illustrates how quickly things go wrong when staff fail to fulfill critical responsibilities.

A Hospital Admission That Turned Dangerous

In early 2023, an elderly woman in her late 90s entered a Los Angeles County hospital after a medical emergency. At baseline, she lived at home with her grandson, recognized family members, and could transfer with help — though she primarily used a wheelchair.

Doctors identified serious health concerns that required close monitoring and attention. Because of her limited mobility and fragile health, they flagged her as being at very high risk for pressure injuries. Nurses recommended prevention measures: turning and repositioning every two hours, using special mattresses, and applying protective creams.

But records later showed that staff did not consistently follow these measures. The patient went long stretches without repositioning. Over several days, she developed painful sores near her tailbone that progressed into open wounds. Shockingly, staff failed to document the wounds properly and never informed the hospital’s wound care team or physician. No one ordered treatment.

Transfer to a Nursing Facility — and More Neglect

After several weeks, the woman left the hospital and entered a nursing facility in Los Angeles County for continued care. Families often believe this transition provides extra support — but what happened next underscores why vigilance is essential.

Upon admission, the staff failed to conduct a proper wound assessment. Within days, her existing sores worsened dramatically, reaching stage IV — the most severe level, involving tissue, muscle, and even bone.

Other serious failures followed:

Staff ignored repositioning orders.
They delayed wound treatments for days.
Nurses entered backdated notes that made it appear assessments happened when they had not.
Staff reportedly fed her food despite medical orders for her to remain NPO (nothing by mouth), increasing her risk of aspiration.

Within weeks, her health declined beyond recovery, and she tragically passed away.

Why These Failures Happen

Stories like this are heartbreaking — but sadly, not rare. They often happen when:

Facilities understaff shifts and cut corners.
Caregivers skip essential tasks such as turning residents every two hours.
Staff fail to notify doctors and wound nurses of changes in a patient’s condition.
Administrators allow care plans to remain ignored, incomplete, or nonexistent.

As attorney Adam Peck has explained:

“Improper feeding techniques, skipped repositioning, and ignored care plans can turn a simple hospitalization into a medical crisis. Families deserve better — and facilities must be held accountable.”

Nursing home abuse attorney greeting family

What Families Should Watch For

If your loved one is in a hospital or nursing home, look out for:

Red or purple marks on the skin, especially the back, hips, or heels.
Sudden changes in mood, appetite, or responsiveness.
Signs of infection, such as fever or sudden fatigue.
Staff who seem rushed, dismissive, or unavailable.

Document your concerns and insist on answers. If your loved one’s condition changes suddenly, demand an immediate wound care nurse assessment.

How the Peck Law Group Helps Families

We know how overwhelming it feels to face medical jargon, incomplete records, and confusing explanations when your loved one has been harmed. That’s why our firm takes a comprehensive approach to every case.

We thoroughly investigate by reviewing medical charts, shift notes, and photographs to uncover the truth. Our nursing home absue attorneys work closely with medical experts to pinpoint what went wrong and how staff could have prevented it. When we uncover neglect, we hold facilities accountable — whether through settlement negotiations or litigation. Most importantly, we fight for justice and fair compensation for families, including medical costs, pain and suffering, long-term care needs, and, in the most tragic cases, wrongful death damages.

Why Families Choose Us

Over 60 years of combined experience in elder neglect and abuse litigation across California.
Proven results, including multi-million-dollar recoveries for families.
Compassionate communication, so you are never left in the dark.
No fees unless we win, because justice should never depend on your finances.

Speak with a nursing home abuse attorney today in California.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes bedsores in hospitals and nursing homes?

Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) develop when an individual remains in the same position for an extended period without being repositioned. Pressure restricts blood flow to the skin, which causes tissue damage. Preventing bedsores requires repositioning every two hours, using support surfaces such as specialized mattresses, and monitoring the skin carefully.

Can I sue a hospital or nursing home for neglect?

Yes. If neglect harms your loved one — through bedsores, infections, malnutrition, or wrongful death — you can bring a claim against the facility. These cases hold facilities accountable and can provide compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.

How soon should I contact an attorney?

It’s best to act quickly. Early legal involvement helps preserve records, staff schedules, photographs, and witness accounts that might otherwise be lost or destroyed.

Take Action Today

If your loved one has suffered bedsores, infections, malnutrition, or neglect in a hospital or nursing home in Los Angeles County, you don’t have to go through this alone. The Peck Law Group is here to listen, guide you, and fight for justice.

Your loved one deserves dignity, safety, and respect. When facilities fail, we hold them accountable.

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Written by Steven Peck, ESQ.

Expertise: Personal Injury

Attorney Steven Peck has been practicing law since 1981. Within the first three years, after some colleagues and friend’s parents endured nursing home neglect and elder abuse, he continued his education to protect those involved in personal injuries. For over 43 years, his dedication has been unyielding. Steve's approach to client representation and care is deeply respected by his colleagues and clients alike. Steven Peck has extensive trial experience and has recovered tens of millions of dollars in damages for clients.