Skilled Bed Sores Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Pressure ulcers — commonly called bed sores — are painful, preventable injuries that often signal serious medical neglect. Serious pressure sores - those that begin to degrade the flesh - should never happen. Serious pressure ulcers are "never events" according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
When hospitals, nursing homes, or long-term care facilities fail to properly reposition, monitor, or protect vulnerable patients, the result can be devastating infections, permanent tissue damage, or even death.
If you or a loved one developed a pressure ulcer due to poor medical care, a Grand Rapids bed sore lawyer at Hoffer & Sheremet can help you understand your rights and pursue accountability.
We represent patients and families throughout Grand Rapids, Kent County, and West Michigan, in complex medical malpractice and nursing home neglect cases.
Contact us today using our free case review to start your free, confidential consultation.
What Are Bed Sores (Pressure Ulcers)?
A pressure ulcer is an injury to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, friction, or shear — most often occurring in patients who are immobile, sedated, paralyzed, or medically fragile.
Bed sores commonly develop on bony areas such as:
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Tailbone (sacrum)
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Heels
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Hips
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Ankles
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Elbows
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Shoulder blades
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Back of the head
Critically, most pressure ulcers are preventable with basic, well-known medical protocols.
Why Pressure Ulcers Often Indicate Medical Negligence
Healthcare providers have a clear duty of care to prevent bed sores. When pressure ulcers develop or worsen, it often means that staff failed to follow fundamental standards of care.
Common failures include:
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Not repositioning the patient at appropriate intervals
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Ignoring early signs of skin breakdown
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Failing to assess pressure-ulcer risk upon admission
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Inadequate wound care or delayed treatment
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Poor nutrition or hydration management
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Failure to use pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions
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Inadequate staffing or supervision
When these failures occur in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, or assisted living centers, they may constitute medical malpractice or nursing home negligence under Michigan law.
Stages of Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers progress rapidly when untreated. The stages include:
Stage 1:
Red, discolored skin that does not blanch when pressed
Stage 2:
Open blister or shallow wound affecting outer skin layers
Stage 3:
Deep wound exposing fat tissue with significant risk of infection
Stage 4:
Severe injury exposing muscle, tendon, or bone — often life-threatening
Unstageable / Deep Tissue Injuries:
Hidden damage beneath intact skin, frequently missed by negligent providers
Advanced-stage bed sores often require surgery, skin grafts, long-term wound care, and can lead to sepsis or death.
Where Bed Sore Negligence Most Commonly Occurs
We routinely investigate pressure ulcer cases arising from:
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Hospitals
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Nursing homes
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Skilled nursing facilities
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Rehabilitation centers
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Long-term acute care hospitals
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Home health care services
These injuries frequently occur after surgery, stroke, traumatic injury, childbirth complications, or prolonged hospitalization.
Michigan Bed Sore & Pressure Ulcer Malpractice Claims
Under Michigan law, patients harmed by preventable pressure ulcers may be entitled to compensation for:
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Long-term wound care and rehabilitation
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Infection and sepsis complications
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Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)
Our firm works with medical experts, including wound-care specialists, to prove:
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What standard of care applied to the situation
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That the nurse, doctor, or other medical staff breached that standard of care, and
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That breach caused serious harm
Why Choose Hoffer & Sheremet
At Hoffer & Sheremet, we focus on serious medical negligence cases — not volume claims. We understand the medicine, the standards of nursing care, and how facilities attempt to conceal understaffing and neglect.
Clients choose us because we offer:
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Deep experience in complex medical malpractice litigation
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Careful case screening and expert review
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Compassionate, hands-on representation
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No fees unless we win your case
We handle bed sore and pressure ulcer cases throughout West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Muskegon, Holland, and surrounding communities.
Pressure Ulcers FAQs
Speak With a Grand Rapids Bed Sore Lawyer Today
If you suspect a pressure ulcer was caused by poor medical or nursing care, time matters. Records disappear, and early investigation is critical.
Call Hoffer & Sheremet today
Or start your free, confidential consultation online
We are proud to advocate for patients and families across Grand Rapids and West Michigan who were harmed by preventable medical neglect.