Chicago Nursing Home Clogged Breathing Tubes Lawyer

Legal Action for Injuries Caused by Clogged Breathing Tubes in Nursing Homes

Clogged breathing tubes (tracheostomy tubes) are a severe emergency with the potential to cause brain damage or even death within minutes. Nursing home residents who rely on breathing tubes require careful and consistent monitoring to prevent these life-threatening obstructions.

When a senior living center fails to care for a resident’s breathing tube properly, families may have the right to hold the facility accountable.

Nursing Home Abuse Settlements Near Cook County

These successful nursing home cases show justice and responsibility for victims of neglect:

• $1,250,000 Settlement – Reached for a family after the wrongful death of a loved one who choked in a nursing home due to staff negligence, settled before litigation.
• $3,000,000 Recovery – Secured for a woman’s family after her husband died from untreated pressure sores at a nursing facility following hip replacement surgery.
• $610,000 Settlement – Awarded to a resident injured after being dropped by nursing home staff using a Hoyer lift improperly.

If you suspect an elderly family member is at risk for serious injuries, speak with an experienced attorney in Cook County and the Chicago area.  

Understanding the Dangers of Clogged Breathing Tubes in Nursing Homes

Breathing tubes are essential for nursing home residents who cannot breathe independently. Unfortunately, when clogged or blocked, they pose a serious threat to health. 

Common causes of clogging in long-term care facilities include mucus buildup, lack of proper suctioning, incorrect tube positioning, and neglect in supervising residents with respiratory conditions. If left untreated, a blocked airway can deprive the brain of oxygen, leading to permanent damage or death.

How Nursing Home Neglect Causes Clogged Breathing Tube Injuries

Illinois law (Ill. Admin. Code tit. 89, § 147.335) requires nursing homes to regularly monitor patients who rely on breathing tubes. When nursing home employees fail to provide appropriate care, they can be held accountable for negligence.

An assisted care residence and its staff members may be liable if they fail to train staff adequately on tube care and emergency procedures, do not inspect and maintain breathing tubes, or neglect to watch residents for signs of distress. Immediate intervention is critical for preventing fatal consequences.

Health Complications Caused by Clogged Breathing Tubes

When a breathing tube becomes clogged and is not promptly addressed, the health risks for elderly patients are catastrophic. Many nursing home residents relying on breathing tubes are vulnerable to complications such as brain damage from oxygen deprivation. 

Delayed intervention can lead to respiratory failure, organ failure, and severe conditions like stroke, cardiac arrest, or arrhythmia. In some cases, patients may suffer permanent speech or swallowing difficulties.

A blocked breathing tube can quickly escalate from a manageable issue into a deadly emergency. Elderly people in nursing homes require constant monitoring for their safety. If these issues go unaddressed, these patients can develop life-threatening complications such as a collapsed lung.

Legal Rights of Illinois Nursing Home Residents

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act provides strong protections against neglect. Nursing homes are required to maintain medical equipment, including breathing tubes, and to offer emergency care to patients when necessary. If a nursing home fails to provide these services, it may be held accountable for damages through litigation. 

Speak to an experienced attorney in the Chicago area to learn more about your legal options if your loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse.

Filing a Lawsuit for a Clogged Breathing Tube Injury

If you suspect that nursing home negligence caused your loved one’s breathing tube injury, act quickly. Request medical records and incident reports from the facility, and document any changes in your loved one’s condition. 

Report your concerns to Illinois Adult Protective Services and consult with a law firm specializing in nursing home cases and elder abuse practice areas to explore your legal avenues. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses for emergency care and rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering damages related to oxygen deprivation
• Wrongful death compensation if the negligence resulted in a fatality

How Our Legal Team Can Help You Seek Justice

Our experienced legal team is dedicated to helping families who have been affected by nursing home abuse and neglect. We conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding breathing tube blockages, gathering evidence of staff failure and regulatory violations. 

We work with medical professionals to demonstrate how the facility’s negligence led to the injury or death. Our team will negotiate settlements or take your case to trial to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact a Chicago Nursing Home Clogged Breathing Tubes Attorney for a Free Consultation

If your loved one’s health has been compromised due to nursing home neglect, immediate action is crucial. 

Our practice areas include nursing home abuse, and our dedicated Chicago elder abuse lawyers will guide you through the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation, and we’ll help you understand your legal options.

Call (800) 926-7565 or fill out our online form.