Pressure ulcer stages describe how deeply a bedsore has damaged skin and tissue. They range from Stage 1 (red, intact skin) to Stage 4 (exposed muscle or bone). According to AHRQ, more than 2.5 million people develop pressure ulcers each year in the U.S., and proper care can prevent most.
Understanding the Four Pressure Ulcer Stages
Doctors classify pressure ulcers, also called bedsores or pressure injuries, by stage. Each stage portrays how deeply the sore has damaged the skin and the tissue underneath.
| Stage | What It Looks Like |
| Stage 1 | Red, intact skin that does not turn white when pressed |
| Stage 2 | A shallow open sore or blister; the top skin layers are gone |
| Stage 3 | A deep, crater-like wound reaching the fatty tissue |
| Stage 4 | The deepest wound, exposing muscle, tendon, or bone |
The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel also recognizes another stage, or form of ulcers. Your loved one could experience an unstageable ulcer, hiding under dead tissue. As a result, doctors may struggle to see how deep the wound goes.
Ulcers in stages 1 and 2 often heal with prompt medical care. However, stages 3 and 4 are much more serious. They heal slowly and carry a high risk of infection, including deadly sepsis.
How Pressure Ulcers May Signal Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
With proper care and movement, bedsores rarely occur. The AHRQ reports that pressure ulcers are largely preventable through simple, basic care. Nursing homes can prevent most pressure ulcers by:
- Repositioning residents who cannot move on their own
- Checking the skin daily for early warning signs
- Providing good nutrition and hydration
- Using special mattresses and cushions
Under 42 CFR § 483.25, a nursing home must prevent pressure ulcers as much as reasonably possible. When a resident develops a serious bedsore at a facility… Concerns are natural.
A Stage 3 or Stage 4 bedsore is often a major warning sign. Severe bedsores may point to nursing home abuse or neglect. Our guide on the common signs of caregiver abuse can help you spot other red flags.
What Causes Bedsores, and Who Is at Risk?
Pressure ulcers form when constant pressure cuts off blood flow to the skin. Bedsores often appear on the tailbone, hips, heels, and elbows. These spots typically press against a bed or wheelchair. Some residents face a much higher risk, including those who:
- Cannot move or reposition themselves
- Spend most of the day in bed or a wheelchair
- Have poor nutrition or dehydration
- Live with diabetes or poor circulation
When a facility knows a resident is at risk and still lets a bedsore form, that failure can signal neglect. Our guide on the top signs you need an elder care abuse attorney explains when to seek help.
What Can Families Do About Nursing Home Bedsore Stages?
If your loved one has a bedsore, act quickly to protect their health and legal rights. Follow these steps as soon as you suspect something is wrong.
- Make sure they receive prompt medical care
- Photograph the wound and keep a dated record
- Request their medical and care records from the facility
- Report your concerns and write down what staff tell you
Do you believe that your loved one has suffered from nursing home neglect? Your family may be able to recover money for medical bills, emotional pain, and more. Our guide about building a nursing home abuse case walks you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Ulcer Stages
What are the four pressure ulcer stages?
The four pressure ulcer stages describe the severity of a bedsore. For example, stage 1 is red with unbroken skin. Stage 2 is a shallow open sore or blister; stage 3 is a deep wound reaching the fatty tissue. However, stage 4 is the most severe burn, because it exposes muscle, tendon, or bone.
What is a Stage 3 pressure ulcer?
A Stage 3 pressure ulcer is a full-thickness wound that reaches into the fatty tissue beneath the skin. You may see visible fat, dead tissue, or rolled wound edges. The sore can extend wider beneath the surface than it looks. A Stage 3 pressure ulcer in a nursing home is serious, heals slowly, and often signals a gap in the resident’s care.
Are bedsores a sign of nursing home neglect?
It depends, because a bedsore doesn’t automatically prove neglect. However, a bedsore is still a major warning sign, because facilities should be able to prevent most pressure ulcers through basic care. So, a serious, facility-acquired sore raises real questions about the standard of care. It may point to pressure ulcer negligence that supports a legal claim.
Can pressure ulcers be prevented?
Yes, most pressure ulcers are preventable. For example, nursing homes can avoid them by repositioning immobile residents, checking the skin daily, and providing proper nutrition. Federal law under 42 CFR § 483.25 requires facilities to prevent pressure ulcers as much as possible.
What is the difference between the pressure ulcer stages?
The difference between the pressure ulcer stages is depth. Stage 1 reddens the surface of the skin; stage 2 breaks the top skin layers. Stage 3 reaches the fat beneath the skin; stage 4 exposes muscle, tendon, or bone. Doctors also use “unstageable” when dead tissue hides the wound’s true depth.
Can I sue a nursing home for a bedsore?
Yes, you may be able to sue a nursing home for a bedsore caused by neglect. If a facility failed to provide proper care and created a pressure ulcer, then you may have a claim. Damages can include medical costs, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.
Trust Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Today
A serious bedsore often symbolizes that a nursing home failed your loved one. With millions of preventable pressure ulcers each year, families deserve answers. We hold negligent facilities accountable and fight for the care your loved one was owed. Schedule a free, confidential case review today.
Reviewed by Alexander Shunnarah, Attorney and Chief Executive Officer at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, on 2026-09-15.
