After I become aware of a bed sore, should I photograph it?

Few medical conditions have the visual impact of a bed sore.  Most people simply do not forget the image of a bed sore on a persons buttocks, heals or head.  Consequently, photographic evidence is one of the most important tools in proving the severity of the injury associated with a bed sore. It is one thing to see a mention of bed sore (or decubitus ulcer, pressure sore or pressure ulcer) in a stack of medical records– it really is quite another to see the actual photographs.

I advise people who encounter nursing home abuse and bed sores to document all aspects of their injuries via photographs. How else can other people appreciate the extent of the injury or the disability you face without viewing the photos?

Do not take ‘no’ for an answer if your loved one wishes to be photographed or videotaped. There is no legal basis for the staff at a nursing home or hospital to deny a patients request to be photographed. If need be, get a judge to order the photographs to be taken.

Many cases involving a bed sore acquired in a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living situations, the bed sore may develop quickly. It is important to document the progression of the bed sore to accurately capture what the would looked like on a daily basis.

In order to assure the photographs are admissible into evidence at trial, special attention should be paid to the date the photo was taken and the identity of the photographer.  Another good idea is to use a daily newspaper within the photo to verify the date the picture was taken.