When a Bed Sore Isn't "Just a Sore": What Stage 3 & 4 Wounds Really Mean & What to Do Next

You don’t expect to visit your loved one in a nursing home or hospital and find an open, deep wound on their body. But if you do, it’s not just alarming—it’s a red flag for serious neglect.

Stage 3 and Stage 4 bed sores aren’t minor injuries. They are medical emergencies that often signal your loved one has been ignored for far too long. These wounds can become life-threatening without proper care—and are almost always preventable.

At Mama Bear Law, we help families uncover the truth behind these injuries and take action when care falls short.

⚠️ What Does a Stage 3 or Stage 4 Bed Sore Look Like?

Bed sores (also called pressure ulcers) develop when someone remains in one position for too long without relief—often on their tailbone, hips, heels, or elbows. When staff fail to reposition vulnerable patients regularly, pressure cuts off circulation, causing skin and tissue to die. There are four stages of bed sores, but Stage 3 and 4 are the most severe:

• Stage 3:

  
  

   A deep wound that reaches the fat layer beneath the skin. The sore may look like a crater, and the surrounding skin may be red, swollen, and warm to the touch. There’s a high risk of infection.
  

• Stage 4:

  
  

   The most advanced—and dangerous—form. These wounds expose muscle, tendons, or even bone. There may be blackened, dead tissue (eschar), and a foul odor due to infection. Stage 4 bed sores can lead to sepsis or death if not treated immediately.
  

🔍 How Can Bed Sores Be Prevented?

The heartbreaking truth? Stage 3 and 4 bed sores are almost always preventable with basic, consistent care.

Facilities must follow strict protocols to prevent pressure injuries. This includes:

• Repositioning patients every 1-2 hours
  

• Providing clean, dry bedding and clothing
  

• Maintaining good nutrition and hydration

  
  

• Using pressure-relieving mattresses or cushions
  

• Conducting regular skin checks and documentation

When these steps are skipped, ignored, or rushed because a facility is understaffed, residents suffer—and families are often left in the dark.

⚖️ What to Do If Your Loved One Has a Severe Bed Sore

It’s normal to feel shocked, angry, or overwhelmed if you’ve discovered a Stage 3 or 4 sore on your loved one. But you are not overreacting—and you don’t have to face this alone.

Here’s what to do next:

• Document the injury.

  
  

  Take photos. Ask for medical records. Request a full explanation from the care staff.
  

• Demand immediate medical treatment.

  
  

  These wounds can lead to serious infections, hospitalization, or worse. Don’t wait.
  

• Report the neglect.

  
  

  File a complaint with your state’s health department or long-term care ombudsman.
  

• Call Mama Bear Law.

  
  

  We help families investigate neglect, hold facilities accountable, and fight for justice.
  

When these steps are skipped, ignored, or rushed because a facility is understaffed, residents suffer—and families are often left in the dark.

🐻 Why Choose Mama Bear Law?

Your loved one should never suffer from preventable bed sores. If they do, it may be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect—and you don’t have to face it alone.  

At Mama Bear Law, we help families uncover the truth and fight for accountability. We understand how hard it is to place your trust in a facility—only to have that trust betrayed.

We’ll investigate, uncover what went wrong, and help your family secure justice and compensation.

You protect your loved one. We’ll protect your case.

 ✔️ We know what to look for –  Bed sores this severe are often preventable. We work with trusted medical experts to identify warning signs of neglect and determine whether proper care was provided.

✔️ We uncover the truth – You shouldn’t have to wonder what happened behind closed doors. We investigate staffing levels, care plans, documentation, and facility history to build a clear picture of what went wrong.

✔️ We fight for accountability  –  Facilities should be held responsible when they fail to protect vulnerable patients. We pursue justice—not just for compensation, but to help prevent this from happening to someone else.

✔️ We support you every step of the way  –  We know how painful and overwhelming this situation can be. That’s why we handle every detail of the legal process, so you can focus on your family and your loved one’s care.

✔️ We treat your family like our own – At Mama Bear Law, you’re not just a case number. You’re a family that trusted someone to care for your loved one—and we’ll do everything in our power to make it right.

🆘 Take Action Today

If your loved one has suffered from one of these injuries, reach out to Mama Bear Law today for a free case assessment. We’ll listen to your story, investigate what went wrong, and fight for the justice your family deserves. Start your FREE case assessment now