Riverside County Nursing Home Heel Wound Lawyers

Heel wounds are one of the clearest indicators of nursing home neglect. In Riverside County, families often discover these injuries on their loved ones only after they have worsened into painful ulcers or dangerous infections. A heel wound does not appear overnight. It forms gradually, when a resident is left in the same position for hours or days, without the care and attention that basic safety requires.

How Heel Wounds Form

The heel is particularly vulnerable because it bears weight when residents remain in bed or sit in wheelchairs for extended periods of time. Without protective devices such as heel risers or off-loading cushions, the pressure restricts blood flow. Over time, skin and tissue begin to break down, leading to open sores. Once a heel ulcer has developed, it is extremely difficult to heal in an elderly patient. Infections, gangrene, and amputations are all possible outcomes.

These wounds are almost always preventable. When they occur, it is usually because caregivers failed to reposition residents, ignored obvious warning signs, or skipped daily skin checks.

Prevention and Proper Care

Preventing heel wounds requires consistency and diligence. Nursing homes in Riverside County are required to:

• Reposition residents at least every two hours to relieve pressure.
• Use heel protectors or risers for residents who are immobile or at high risk.
• Provide adequate nutrition and hydration to promote skin integrity.
• Remove socks during bathing and inspect the feet.

That last step is especially important. Many caregivers rush through hygiene routines and leave socks on, never realizing a wound is developing beneath. By the time the injury is noticed, the damage is already severe. Families deserve better.

Examples of Custodial Neglect

Heel wounds are a symptom of a larger problem—custodial neglect. Common failures in Riverside facilities include:

• Leaving residents in wheelchairs for entire shifts without breaks.
• Failing to reposition bedridden residents at night.
• Ignoring redness or swelling on heels and ankles.
• Not removing socks or shoes during bathing.
• Failing to chart wound progression or notify medical staff.
• Allowing infections to progress without timely treatment.

These examples reflect more than oversight—they reveal patterns of neglect that put every resident at risk.

Why Legal Action Matters

When a loved one suffers a heel wound, it is rarely just an accident. It is a warning sign that the nursing home is cutting corners, understaffed, or poorly supervised. Families in Riverside County should not accept excuses. A Riverside nursing home heel wound lawyer can review medical charts, staffing schedules, and facility policies to prove that neglect caused the injury.

At Nursing Home Law Group, we have been fighting for elders and their families in California for more than 20 years and we have handled many cases involving pressure ulcers on the heels and other parts of the body. We understand how to hold facilities accountable when these wounds lead to infections, sepsis, or amputations, which, sadly, occurs more than it should. Our attorneys handle all cases on a contingency fee, so there are no costs unless we win.

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