Orange County Nursing Home Choking Death Attorneys

Choking fatalities should never take place in nursing homes or assisted living centers in Orange County, as these incidents are entirely avoidable with proper care. Despite this, choking deaths occur more frequently than families expect, often due to negligence or inadequate supervision by the nursing facility. Older adults are already vulnerable to various health risks, and certain conditions can increase the likelihood of choking. Nursing homes must ensure they provide individualized care and sufficient oversight to residents at risk. Failing to do so can make the facility legally liable.

If you have lost a loved one to a preventable choking incident, an experienced Orange County nursing home choking death lawyer can explain your legal options and guide you in pursuing justice.

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that around 500 older adults, aged between 65 and 85, die from food-related choking incidents across the United States. Certain underlying health conditions, including forms of dementia and specific types of cancer, can make older adults more prone to choking. However, even seniors without pre-existing conditions can be at risk.

The California Department of Social Services emphasizes several factors that contribute to a heightened choking risk among elderly individuals. Aging naturally reduces saliva production, and various medications prescribed to seniors can exacerbate dry mouth issues, further complicating swallowing. Additionally, age-related weakening of the muscles used in swallowing can increase the chances of a choking event.

When a choking death occurs in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the establishment may be held accountable if it can be shown that the staff failed in their duty to provide appropriate care and supervision. Liability often arises from not taking reasonable precautions to protect residents known to be at risk. This includes avoiding or carefully monitoring high-risk foods that are prone to cause choking in elderly individuals. Our Orange County nursing home choking attorneys can evaluate the merits of your case.

The California Department of Social Services outlines several common food hazards that nursing homes should manage with caution or eliminate from vulnerable residents’ diets. These dangerous food items include:

• Hot dogs (especially if not cut properly)
• Steak and other tough meats
• Chicken with bones
• Popcorn
• Pizza, especially with thick crusts
• Hard candy
• Bread that can form a paste-like blockage in the throat
• Milk, which can thicken and obstruct airways
• Large chunks of fruits or vegetables
• Peanut butter, which can stick in the throat

For residents with a known history of swallowing difficulties, the nursing home must take extra steps to ensure their meals are manageable and that staff are nearby to assist if a choking episode occurs. Failure to do so is a severe breach of duty and could result in a nursing home choking wrongful death lawsuit.

Receiving a phone call that an elderly family member has died from choking in a nursing home is an unimaginable tragedy. You have the right to seek justice for their preventable death and to hold the facility responsible. Filing a legal claim via a qualified Orange County lawyer with experience in choking death cases can help ensure that negligent practices are addressed and that no other families experience similar losses.

If you are considering legal action after a loved one's choking death, you should speak with a skilled Orange County nursing home choking death attorney. Our team will investigate your case, gather evidence of negligence, and work to secure the compensation your family deserves. At Southern California Nursing Home Law Group, we are committed to advocating for families affected by nursing home neglect. Contact us today for a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you.