Florida Bedsole & Pressure Sore Laws

Nursing Home Pressure Ulcers and Resident Neglect in Florida

Pressure ulcers (also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers) are largely preventable conditions. When nursing home staff fail to turn or reposition immobile residents, advanced pressure sores can develop, leading to severe infection, sepsis, and life-threatening complications.

Pressure Sore Stages and Staff Neglect

Medical providers classify pressure injuries into four primary stages:

Stage

Clinical Description & Severity

Stage 1 & 2

Non-blanchable skin redness developing into partial-thickness skin loss or open blisters.

Stage 3 & 4

Full-thickness tissue loss exposing deep fat, muscle, tendon, or underlying bone structure.

Florida Resident Rights (Fla. Stat. § 400.022)

Under Florida law, long-term care residents have a statutory right to receive adequate and appropriate healthcare:

• Mandatory Turning Schedules: Repositioning bedbound residents at least every two hours to relieve pressure.
• Hydration & Nutrition Plans: Ensuring residents receive proper caloric and fluid intake to maintain skin integrity.
• Wound Care Documentation: Promptly assessing, treating, and reporting skin breakdowns to attending physicians.

Under Fla. Stat. § 400.139, the statute of limitations for filing a nursing home abuse or neglect claim in Florida is two years from the date the incident was discovered or should have been discovered.