Pressure sore claims

Pressure sores caused by negligent care are painful, serious, and often entirely avoidable. Our specialist team is here to guide you through the entire process.

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Reviewed by

Alison Flaherty

Director of Clinical Negligence

Additional content

Amy Grimley

Associate Solicitor and Team Leader

Last Updated

22nd July 2026

Can I make a pressure sore claim?

Pressure sore claims can be made when you or a loved one has developed pressure sores because of substandard medical or nursing care. Also known as pressure ulcers or bedsores, these injuries are painful, distressing, and can have serious long-term consequences.

You may be able to make a pressure sore compensation claim if the sores developed in a hospital, care home, or under the care of a GP or district nursing team.

Claims can arise if staff failed to reposition an immobile patient regularly, did not carry out a proper risk assessment, neglected to put a care plan in place, or failed to carry out routine skin checks that would have caught the problem early. Poor wound care, inadequate hygiene, or a failure to use pressure-relieving equipment can also form the basis of a claim.

Even if you are unsure whether the care fell below an acceptable standard, or if some time has passed since the injury, it is still important to seek legal advice. In most cases, you have three years from the date of negligence, or from when you first became aware of it, to start a claim.

Example of a pressure sore claim

An elderly patient is admitted to the hospital following a hip fracture and is largely immobile during their recovery. Despite being at clear risk, staff fail to carry out regular skin checks or reposition the patient, and no pressure-relieving mattress is provided. A Grade 3 pressure sore develops on the patient’s heel, requiring specialist wound care and extending their hospital stay. If the care team did not follow the required guidelines for preventing pressure sores in at-risk patients, this could be a valid pressure sore negligence claim.

Related pressure sore claims we support

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What compensation can help with

Person in bed holding hand of a standing nurse in blue scrubs

Covering care costs, lost earnings, and the wider impact on your life.

Pressure sore compensation is not simply about acknowledging what happened. It’s about making sure you have financial support to access the care, treatment, and rehabilitation you need. It can also help to ease the practical and emotional burden that a serious, avoidable injury can place on you and your family.

The value of a claim reflects the full picture of how the injury has affected your life. It doesn’t purely consider the physical harm, but the emotional distress and financial consequences too. We seek to understand how severe the pressure sores were and whether they caused permanent damage, the cost of treatment and ongoing wound care, any impact on your ability to work, and the psychological toll of experiencing preventable harm.

If the injury affected a loved one who has since passed away, compensation can reflect the pain and suffering they experienced, as well as the impact on those closest to them.

Successful pressure sore claims may help fund:

Wound care, dressings, and specialist medical treatment
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings, including future losses where applicable
Care costs and support needs, both current and ongoing
Travel and transport costs related to treatment and recovery
Pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life

Understanding the potential value

We succeeded in a claim for a 19-year-old woman who received £85,000 in compensation. The six-year case involved severe scarring, mobility problems, and long-term physical and psychological injuries resulting from poor post-operative care. We are committed to making sure any settlement truly reflects what you have been through. The value of your pressure sore claim depends on the severity and grade of the sores, how long you suffered, whether there is permanent damage, and the wider impact on your independence, wellbeing, and ability to work.

Understanding special and general damages

A settlement is made up of general damages and special damages. General damages address the non-financial impact of your injury, including pain and suffering and the effect on your day-to-day life. Special damages cover the specific financial losses you can evidence, from medical treatment and rehabilitation costs to lost income and travel expenses. Our team will make sure both are carefully calculated and properly reflected in your claim.

Specialist pressure sore solicitors

Our team specialises in complex medical negligence, including pressure sore claims.

Why choose Fletchers for your pressure sore claim?

Pressure sore claims involve detailed medical evidence, expert input, and a thorough understanding of the standards of care that healthcare providers are required to meet. Having the right specialist team for your claim is the key differentiator. At Fletchers, our clinical negligence solicitors have the experience, clinical insight, and genuine commitment to guide you through the process and fight for the outcome you deserve.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist clinical negligence solicitors with extensive experience in pressure sore and wound care claims
In-depth understanding of NHS and care home standards, including NICE guidelines on pressure ulcer prevention
We work with leading independent medical experts to build strong, evidence-based cases
A proven track record of securing significant compensation for clients harmed by preventable pressure sores
Sensitive, client-focused support at every stage
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by clients we have supported through medical negligence claims
‘No Win, No Fee’, so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you and your family are going through.

When someone develops pressure sores in a care setting, the impact goes far beyond the physical injury. Pressure sores are painful, slow to heal, and can leave lasting scars, both physically and emotionally. For many families, the hardest part is knowing the injury was avoidable.

We know that pressure sores rarely happen in isolation. They are often a sign of broader failings, such as understaffing, poor oversight, missed checks, or a culture where vulnerable patients are not given the attention they deserve. If that happened to someone you love, it’s entirely reasonable to seek answers and accountability.

Many of the clients we support come to us feeling uncertain, exhausted, and unsure whether they have a valid case. Some have been caring for a loved one through a long and difficult recovery, while others are dealing with bereavement on top of everything else. What they share is a need for someone to listen without judgement, explain things clearly, and take the weight of the legal process off their shoulders.

That is exactly what we are here to do. We handle every part of your pressure sore claim with care and professionalism, keep you informed at every step, and work hard to secure the compensation that reflects the true impact of what has happened.

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FAQs about pressure sore claims

How long do I have to make a pressure sore claim?

You usually have three years from the date the negligence occurred, or from when you first became aware that your injuries were linked to negligent care, to start a claim.

There are important exceptions to understand. For children, the three-year period does not begin until they turn 18. If the person affected lacks mental capacity, there may be no time limit at all. And if you are bringing a claim on behalf of someone who has passed away, the three-year period typically runs from the date of death.

If you are unsure whether you still have time to claim, speak to us as soon as possible. We will advise you quickly and clearly based on your situation.

Can I sue a care home or hospital for pressure sores?

Yes. If you or a loved one developed pressure sores due to poor care in a hospital, care home, or other medical setting, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Failing to prevent or treat pressure sores when it would have been reasonable to do so can amount to medical negligence.

We have supported many clients in holding hospitals, care homes, and other healthcare providers accountable for avoidable pressure sore injuries.

What evidence is needed for a pressure sore negligence claim?

To support a pressure sore compensation claim, we will help you gather the evidence we need. This often includes:

Medical records detailing your treatment and care
Photographs of the pressure sores, if available
Care plans and risk assessment records
Independent expert medical reports to support your case
Evidence of financial losses, such as lost earnings or care costs
Witness statements, where appropriate

You do not need to have any of this in place before you contact us. We will guide you through every step of the evidence-gathering process, and will obtain much of the evidence on your behalf.

Will I need to go to court?

The majority of pressure sore compensation claims are resolved out of court. Our solicitors work hard to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, without the need for a trial.

If court proceedings are required, we will be with you throughout and represent you professionally. You will never feel alone in the process.

Who can make a pressure sore claim?

A pressure sore claim is often brought by the injured person themselves. A family member or legal representative acting on behalf of someone who has passed away or lacks the capacity to bring a claim, or a parent or guardian on behalf of a child, can also make a claim.

Whether you are directly affected or acting on someone else’s behalf, we can guide you through the claims process with sensitivity and care.

How much does it cost to make a pressure sore negligence claim?

At Fletchers, we handle pressure sore claims on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. This means there are no upfront costs to start your claim, and you only pay a fee if your case is successful. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay us anything.

Our team will explain everything clearly from the outset, including what our fee would be as a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation, so you always know exactly what to expect.