Within the walls of nursing homes across Illinois, there is a hidden danger lurking with every meal: the risk of choking. While choking may not be the first risk that comes to mind when someone thinks of nursing home neglect, disturbing choking incidents are becoming increasingly common, leading many to fear for the safety of their loved ones. If your loved one has suffered from choking incidents in his or her nursing home or has tragically lost his or her life after a choking incident, contact a lawyer to get to the bottom of what happened and pursue justice for your loved one.
At Nursing Home Injury Center, we understand that nursing home neglect comes in many different forms. Our team of attorneys is skilled in determining what certain incidents, such as choking, are caused by and whether neglect is to blame. If your loved one has suffered injuries or has passed away after a choking incident, contact our team to get the individualized legal help you need.
Here is Why Many Choking Incidents Happen
The following are the top three reasons why choking incidents occur, including:
- Incorrect food preparation – One of the leading causes of choking in Illinois nursing homes is incorrect food preparation. When meals are not properly modified to meet residents’ specific dietary needs and swallowing abilities, the risk of choking increases significantly. Foods not cut into manageable pieces that lack proper consistency or contain hidden hazards like bones or pits can pose a serious, sometimes even deadly, threat to residents, particularly those with swallowing difficulties.
- Unsafe eating positions – Another common reason why choking incidents occur is the use of unsafe eating positions. Suppose a resident is not positioned properly during mealtimes, such as leaning too far back or forward. In that case, they may have difficulty managing his or her food and coordinating his or her swallowing reflexes. Without proper support and positioning, residents are at higher risk of choking on food, highlighting an important aspect of neglect in ensuring residents’ safety during meals.
- Difficulty chewing caused by physical limitations – Physical limitations may include muscle weakness or impaired motor skills, which can also contribute to choking incidents in nursing homes. Residents who struggle chewing or managing food in his or her mouth because of conditions like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or dementia are at a much higher risk of choking.
Contact Our Peoria County, IL Nursing Home Choking Attorney
It is important to remember that a choking incident may have been caused by neglect. To find out what happened and protect your loved ones’ rights, contact the distinguished Peoria, IL nursing home choking lawyer with Nursing Home Injury Center. Call 309-524-6900 for a free consultation.
