Nursing Home Choking Lawsuit Results in $2.35 Million Awarded to the Estate of Victim
According to a recent nursing home neglect lawsuit, a fifty-six year old man who was in a wheelchair, had type I diabetes and early stage dementia who had also suffered from a stroke like condition, was eating in the dining area of the nursing home when he started choking on a golf ball size meatball. His medical condition however, made it clear that he should have not been given that size food because he had problems swallowing.
The lawsuit also states that there was only one staff member in the dining area at the time of incident and that they did not know the Heimlich maneuver. The staff member wheeled the man forty feet to a nurse’s station which made the food get stuck even deeper into the man’s throat. When a nurse tried unsuccessfully to remove the food, an” ambu bag” was used to force air into the man’s lungs. Then the staff finally called 911 twelve minutes later but the man had been deprived of oxygen for too long. He was pronounced dead later at a hospital.
Tennessee residents and people all over the United States place the people they love in the care of nursing homes and other health care facilities every day. They expect that they people they care about will receive proper medical care and attention. However, many nursing homes are understaffed and improperly trained and this can lead to neglect and personal injury for your loved ones. If someone you care about has suffered from neglect or personal injury after being in the care of a nursing home, then you should talk to a Tennessee nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. They will work with you and help to make sure you receive the compensation you need. Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
