San Diego County Nursing Home Choking Death Lawyers

Choking deaths in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are tragic events that can often be traced back to neglect, or at a minimum the negligence of nursing home or assisted living staff. Older adults, particularly those residing in long-term care facilities, face a heightened risk of serious injury or fatality from choking. These facilities are legally obligated to understand and address these risks, taking all necessary precautions to keep their residents safe.

If you have lost an elderly loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility in San Diego County due to choking, it is crucial to seek legal counsel from an experienced San Diego nursing home choking death lawyer. You may have the right to file a claim and hold the negligent facility accountable.

Choking deaths in San Diego County nursing homes and assisted living facilities are classified as cases where choking is the primary cause of death or a contributing factor. According to research published in the BMJ Open journal, choking was reported as a cause of death for over 76,000 older adults between 2009 and 2013. This data highlights the significant and often overlooked risk of choking in elderly populations.

Choking incidents in nursing homes can happen in various ways, and all forms of choking can be fatal if not promptly addressed. The BMJ Open study identifies several types of choking, including:

• Overall Choking: General cases where the airway is blocked.
• Inhalation of Gastric Contents: Aspiration of stomach contents into the respiratory tract.
• Inhalation and Ingestion of Food: When food causes an obstruction of the respiratory tract.
• Inhalation and Ingestion of Other Objects: Non-food items causing respiratory blockages.

Each type of choking incident requires immediate attention, and nursing home staff must be adequately trained to prevent and respond to these emergencies.

Preventing choking deaths among elderly residents is a critical responsibility for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Choking typically occurs in individuals with underlying medical conditions that make swallowing difficult. Facilities must be aware of these risk factors and implement comprehensive safety measures to protect residents. This includes adjusting diets, offering special meal preparations, and providing vigilant monitoring, especially during mealtimes.

Several chronic diseases and medical conditions can elevate an elderly person’s risk of choking. Facilities must take extra precautions for residents diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

• Neurological Disorders: Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
• Cancers: Larynx, oral, and esophageal cancers can complicate swallowing.
• Chronic Diseases: Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and chronic lower respiratory diseases (including COPD and asthma).
• Kidney Disorders: Nephrotic disease and other kidney-related conditions.
• Mood Disorders: Depression and other mood disorders that may interfere with regular eating habits.
• Stroke Survivors: Stroke can lead to permanent swallowing difficulties.

Nursing homes must be proactive in assessing these conditions and taking steps to minimize the risk of choking. This could involve thickening liquids for safer consumption, cutting food into smaller, more manageable pieces, and maintaining proper body positioning during meals.

To mitigate choking risks, nursing homes and assisted living facilities must adopt best practices for resident safety, as outlined by health and safety experts:

• Avoid Hazardous Foods: Refrain from serving high-risk foods such as hot dogs, large meat chunks, bone-in chicken, hard candy, popcorn, dry bread, and peanut butter.
• Monitor Eating and Drinking Habits: Residents should not drink while eating, and fluids should be appropriately thickened if necessary.
• Proper Meal Assistance: Staff should feed residents slowly and patiently, ensuring that food is cut into small pieces and fruits are peeled.
• Safe Eating Practices: Residents must be seated upright when eating to reduce choking risks, and distractions should be minimized during meals.
• Diligent Supervision: High-risk residents should be closely monitored, and staff should be trained to respond quickly in case of choking emergencies.

If you have lost an elderly loved one to a choking death in a San Diego County nursing home or assisted living facility, it’s important to act swiftly. Our dedicated and compassionate team of San Diego nursing home neglect attorneys is ready to help. We can review your case, discuss your legal options, and assist you in holding the negligent facility accountable.

Contact the Southern California Nursing Home Law Group today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can support you and your family in seeking justice and compensation for your loss.