Our older and disabled populations are often at an increased risk of choking. This may even be the one reason they receive care from a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. In these situations, we trust the professionals who care for our loved ones to stay vigilant and take appropriate precautions to keep their residents safe. When they fail to do this, especially regarding choking, it can result in long-term injury or death and may be considered abuse or neglect.
For 20 years, Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers have been advocating for injury victims in Henderson, Nevada. If a nursing home choking incident has happened to you or a loved one, consider contacting our Henderson nursing home choking lawyer at 702-747-6000. Our team is dedicated to continuing the fight for justice by investigating the situation and helping you hold negligent providers accountable.
How Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Choking Incident
If your loved one suffered a choking incident in Henderson, Nevada, you may not know how to proceed despite concerns for their wellbeing. Working with our team at Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers comes with many benefits, including:
- A thorough investigation of the incident may include speaking with specialists and other relevant experts
- Acting as the point of contact for anything surrounding the case, allowing you time to focus on your life and addressing the needs of your loved one
- Our nursing home abuse lawyer will evaluate the evidence to determine who is responsible for the incident, whether it is the facility as a whole or specific staff members
- File complaints through the Department of Health & Human Services Aging and Disability Service Division on your behalf
Deciding to hire a Henderson personal injury attorney can be overwhelming, and determining which firm to hire may only add to that overwhelm. However, a few primary considerations may make the decision easier. These include considering how you communicate with the team, previous trial experience and outcomes, and a clear understanding of the fees.
Choking in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes have an obligation to provide quality care to your loved ones, including preventative measures for choking. Regardless of risk factors, a nursing home may take some of the below measures to reduce choking risks:
- Provide meals and utensils according to care plans
- Confirm that residents are properly seated and appropriately alert
- Provide supervision and follow the facility choking protocols when necessary
- Adjust food type and consistency as needed
- Provide additional supervision for residents proven to have a weak swallow reflex
Many instances of choking are preventable by taking appropriate caution. If your facility has failed to do this, resulting in significant injury or wrongful death, this may be considered neglect. Holding them accountable for their actions can prevent future injury to others, hold them accountable, and may compensate you for the losses you and your family have suffered.
Long-Term Effects of Choking in Nursing Homes
Choking or aspirating on food or drinks is unfortunately common in the United States. The National Safety Council reports choking as the fourth leading cause of death, though the instances are dramatically lower in older children and adults 70 and younger. Many of the conditions that may require care in a nursing home may also be risk factors for choking, including dementia, dysphasia, COPD, or certain medications. A qualified nursing home should be aware of these risk factors and take steps to adjust or supervise resident diets accordingly.
If the airway is blocked for an extended time, the brain and other vital organs may suffer ischemic injury from the lack of oxygenated blood. This can cause brain and organ damage or even organ failure. These injuries can significantly reduce the quality and duration of life. Additionally, they may require higher levels of support, which may increase care costs.
Compensation Available in a Nursing Home Choking Incident
The lasting consequences of a choking incident can be painful, distressing, and expensive. If negligent care caused this, you and your loved one deserve accountability and compensation to cover the costs of these injuries. Some considerations for compensation include:
- Medical bills
- Costs of resulting additional care needs
- Pain and suffering
Your compensation depends on your situation and the injuries the negligence caused. You might be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages for your losses. Our Henderson nursing home choking lawyer can work with you to determine the overall value of your losses and fight for you to recover fair and appropriate compensation.
Call a Nursing Home Choking Lawyer in Henderson Today
Coping with the vulnerability of a loved one in Henderson, NV can be challenging, leaving you unsure of the best way to proceed while ensuring your loved one is safe and appropriately cared for if you have concerns about nursing home neglect or abuse, whether due to a choking incident or other reasons, you should take them seriously. A Henderson nursing home choking lawyer from Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you determine your options with a free consultation. Call us today for the support you and your loved ones deserve.
