OBJECTIVE To detect the frequency and circumstances of sore ulcers in comparatively unselected patients of the German nursing care insurance who claimed for compensation. Setting Cross-sectional/case-control. METHODS Data sampling and descriptive analysis. Assembled data were biometric data, level of the need of care, grade of sore ulcer, duration of sore ulcer, bedding materials and frequency of wound dressings of sore ulcer. RESULTS In 97 622 out-patients and 32 059 patients from nursing care units, there were 3.2 and 6.4% sore ulcers, respectively, with diverse grades of severity present. Despite the difference in frequency of sore ulcers, no distinction in the nursing quality could be shown between out-patients and patients from nursery care units. Our data possibly suggested a lack with regard to evidence-based prophylaxis and treatment of sore ulcers in both groups. CONCLUSIONS For both out-patients and patients from nursing care units, prophylaxis and treatment of sore ulcers could possibly be improved. Further studies will be needed to reveal the short-comings in nursing-care and to map out strategies for improvement.