How Much Compensation For Pressure Sores?

So, how much compensation for pressure sores could you receive? This question can be hard to answer because all medical negligence claims are unique. This means that the compensation you could receive is unique too, since it’s based on the individual aspects of your case.

Generally, a medical negligence claim can result in two heads of compensation. The first head is general damages, and this covers the pain and suffering you have undergone. This heading is often calculated with help from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which provides compensation guidelines for different injuries and illnesses.

We’ll provide some examples of these guidelines in the list below, but please note that the first entry in this list is not from the JCG.

For several severe forms of harm and special damages, you could receive up to £1,000,000+
For very severe brain damage requiring round-the-clock care, you could receive up to £344,150 to £493,000
For the amputation of both legs above the knee you could receive £293,850 to £344,150
For the above-the-knee amputation of one leg you could receive £127,930 to £167,760
For severe leg injuries that are very serious and lead to problems with mobility, you could receive £66,920 to £109,290
For a number of scars or one single disfiguring scar to the body, you could receive £9,560 to £27,740
For a single noticeable scar to the body, you could receive £2,890 to £9,560

Please be aware that these figures aren’t guaranteed, and the actual amount you could receive can vary.

Can I Claim For Financial Losses Caused By A Pressure Sore Injury?

Yes, in some cases, you may be able to claim back any financial losses caused by your pressure sore injuries. These fall under special damages, which can help you cover the cost of:

Loss of earnings
Prescriptions
Private medical care
Childcare
Mobility aids
Prosthetics
Home care

You will need to provide proof of these losses with documents such as bank statements and invoices in order to receive special damages.

To learn more about claiming compensation for pressure sores, contact our team today.

What Are Pressure Sores?

A pressure sore (otherwise known as a bed sore) is an area of damaged tissue and skin caused by prolonged periods of pressure or rubbing. These can occur more often in people who have trouble moving– for example, those who are bedbound or in hospital.

To claim compensation for bed sores, you need to be able to prove that medical negligence has occurred. Essentially, this means you need to prove that:

A medical professional owes you a duty of care
They breached this duty
You suffered avoidable harm as a result

But what is a duty of care? As soon as a medical professional treats you, they owe you a duty of care. This means that the care and treatment they provide need to meet a minimum standard. If it doesn’t, and you suffer avoidable harm as a result, this is medical negligence.

Due to the nature of these sores, sometimes they can be unavoidable. In these cases, you may be unable to make a claim, because they weren’t caused by negligence.

To learn more about when you could make a medical negligence claim for pressure sores, contact our team today.

How Can A Pressure Sore Develop Due To Medical Negligence?

There are a few ways that medical negligence can lead to bed sores, including:

Poor care in a hospital, like not being moved or turned by a ward nurse or porter when you are known to be at risk for sores.
Not being provided with a special mattress or overlay when it has been established that you need one.
Not being properly washed or dried allowed sores to worsen and infection to spread.
Not being risk assessed if you are more vulnerable to sores.

These are just a few examples. To learn more, or to get more information on claiming compensation for pressure sores contact us today.

Can I Claim If A Loved One Develops Pressure Sores?

In some cases, you might be claiming on behalf of a loved one who can’t claim for themselves. You can do this by applying to be their litigation friend, but only in certain circumstances.

For example, if your child has developed bed sores due to medical negligence, then you could apply to be their litigation friend. If you are successful, you can make a claim on their behalf at any point up until they turn eighteen.

Likewise, if your loved one lacks the mental capacity to claim for themselves, you can follow the same procedure. In these cases, you can make a claim on their behalf at any point unless they recover the needed capacity.

Keep reading for more information on making a claim to receive compensation for pressure sores. You can also contact our advisors to discuss your case.

How Long Do I Have To Claim For Pressure Sore Negligence?

Generally, you’ll have three years to make a claim for pressure sore negligence. This begins on either:

The date that the harm occurred or;
The date that you connect the sores with negligence, otherwise known as the date of knowledge.

This is set out by the Limitation Act 1980, which sets out the time limit for starting a medical negligence claim. You don’t need to finish proceedings during this time, but you do need to start them.

Some exceptions to this rule apply. If you’d like to learn more about these, get in touch with our helpful team.

What Evidence Can Help Me With A Pressure Sore Claim?

When you make a claim, you need to prove that medical negligence occurred. To do this, you can use evidence such as:

Photographs of visible sores.
A rota stating when you were attended to.
Witness contact details, for example, of others on the ward who saw that you weren’t being turned.
Medical records and notes tracking the actions of those treating you.
A risk assessment or a form stating that you are vulnerable to sores and should be provided with a speciality mattress or mattress cover.

If you choose to make your claim with a medical negligence solicitor, they can help you collect different kinds of evidence. Contact our team today to learn more.

Claim Pressure Sore Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis

Our solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that they provide their services under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

Working with a solicitor can be helpful as they can:

Arrange an independent medical assessment
Negotiate a settlement
Explain each step of the process
Gather evidence to support your case
Prepare your claim for court, if necessary

One of the benefits of working with a No Win No Fee solicitor is that they can do all of this without asking you for any upfront or ongoing fees. Plus, if the claim fails, you don’t pay for their services at all.

If you make a successful medical negligence claim, your solicitor will take a success fee from your compensation. This is a small, legally capped percentage of what you receive, making sure that you keep the larger share.

Contact Us

Our team are here to help. To find out if you could claim compensation for pressure sores, contact us by:

Calling us on 0161 509 2856
Contacting us online
Using the live chat feature

More Useful Resources About Claiming For Medical Negligence

For more helpful medical negligence guides:

Learn how to make a claim if you were given the wrong medication
Find out how to claim if your GP delayed your diagnosis
Get advice on claiming for a leukaemia misdiagnosis

Or, to learn more:

Make a complaint to the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Learn about pressure sores from the NHS
Find out when to call 999 from the NHS

Thank you for reading our guide on how to claim compensation for pressure sores.

Meet the Team

Gemma Shields

Chartered Legal Executive | Road Traffic Accident Claims Specialist

Gemma Shields is a CILEx qualified legal professional with over a decade of experience in road traffic accident claims, including pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist cases. She provides clear, compassionate legal support to clients across England and Wales.

Compensation For Pressure Sores – How Much Could You Receive?

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