A pressure injury forms when skin and underlying tissue are exposed to sustained pressure, friction, or shear—often for long periods, especially when a resident can’t reposition themselves. Many pressure ulcers are avoidable or preventable from worsening when a facility provides:
- Turning/repositioning that matches the resident’s risk
- Skin checks at appropriate intervals
- Moisture management (incontinence care, barrier protection)
- Proper support surfaces (right mattress/cushion type)
- Nutrition/hydration support and escalation when intake declines
- Timely wound care and updated care plans
The legal question that matters in Uvalde cases is whether the facility responded like a reasonably careful provider once it knew (or should have known) the resident was at risk—or once early skin changes appeared.


