If you have a loved one in a nursing home, you may worry about their well-being from time to time. This is normal. Perhaps your loved one has already experienced a serious injury due to choking.

If this is the case, you might pursue a personal injury case on your loved one's behalf. If this is something you are interested in, these are some things you need to know.

Why Is Choking a Personal Injury?

Choking is a common risk experienced by seniors. Those who live in nursing homes trust staff members to respond to choking quickly, but when a staff member does not respond, it can lead to serious issues.

Even in cases where choking is not fatal, it can still have a lasting impact on an individual's long-term health. Negligence can lead to serious injuries beyond choking as well, which means several types of injuries could be involved.

What Is Negligence?

These are just a few examples of negligence in a nursing home that can lead to choking and other personal injuries:

• Failure to adequately staff a nursing home

• Failure to monitor residents adequately

• Failure to train employees

• Failure to vet employees

• Failure to maintain adequate caregiver scheduling

• Failure to provide adequate care

This list is not exhaustive, but it does provide some reasoning as to why choking may occur in a nursing home.

Why Are Seniors at Higher Risk?

There are a few reasons why seniors may be at higher risk for choking. These involve degenerative issues, including Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth, often associated with medications and dehydration, can also make choking more likely. Dentures, gastrointestinal disorders, and neurological disorders can also lead to choking.

What Kinds of Compensation Can Somebody Receive?

If your loved one has been injured, they may recover compensation for a personal injury case. This compensation may include the costs of medical bills, rehabilitation, surgery, and more. Your loved one may also recover costs associated with changing facilities or any other long-term bodily harm.

If your loved one was killed because of negligence in a nursing home, you may also be able to recover wrongful death compensation.

Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney

If you believe that your loved one experienced a choking injury due to negligence or recklessness, it is important that you consult with an attorney. Your attorney will place value on your case and help you work toward receiving the compensation your loved one deserves.

To learn more, reach out to a personal injury attorney today.