Group and Elder Home Abuse | Choking & Wrongful Death Claims

Justice for Loved Ones Lost Due to Negligence

When families place their loved ones in a group home, assisted living facility, or nursing home, they trust that proper care and safety measures will be in place. Unfortunately, negligence in these settings can have devastating consequences, including preventable choking incidents that lead to wrongful death. The Pisanchyn Law Firm is committed to holding negligent facilities accountable when they fail to follow proper safety protocols, leading to tragic losses.

The Dangers of Choking in Care Facilities

Choking is one of the most overlooked hazards in elder and group homes. Residents with medical conditions such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) require carefully managed diets to prevent fatal choking incidents. In some cases, caregivers ignore or fail to follow an Individual Service Plan (ISP), which outlines dietary restrictions. A seemingly simple oversight—such as serving a resident a hot dog despite it being restricted in their ISP—can have deadly consequences.

Shocking Statistics About Choking in Care Facilities

• Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States, with seniors over 65 years old being at the highest risk.
• Between 25% and 70% of nursing home residents suffer from dysphagia, increasing their vulnerability to choking incidents.
• In 2022, approximately 5,554 deaths were attributed to choking, with a large percentage occurring in elderly care facilities.
• Many families do not seek legal help after such incidents, allowing negligent facilities to continue unsafe practices without accountability.

How Negligence Leads to Choking Deaths

Negligence in elder and group homes can take many forms, including:

• Failure to follow an ISP – Serving food that a resident is unable to safely consume, such as hot dogs, steak, or raw vegetables.
• Lack of supervision – Residents who require assistance while eating may be left alone, increasing the risk of choking.
• Untrained staff – Caregivers may not be properly trained in choking prevention or emergency response techniques such as the Heimlich maneuver.
• Inadequate medical response – A delayed or improper response to a choking incident can turn a preventable situation into a fatal one.

Seeking Justice for Choking-Related Wrongful Death

If your loved one has suffered a wrongful death due to choking in a group home or elder care facility, you have the right to seek justice. The Pisanchyn Law Firm has extensive experience in handling wrongful death and negligence cases against care facilities that fail to protect their residents.

Our firm will thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and work with medical and legal experts to hold the responsible parties accountable. Families who pursue legal action not only seek justice for their loved ones but also help prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.

Contact The Pisanchyn Law Firm Today

If your family has been affected by a wrongful death due to choking in a group or elder home, do not wait to take action. Our team of experienced attorneys will fight for the justice and compensation your loved one deserves.

Call us today for a free consultation. Let us help you hold negligent care providers accountable and prevent future tragedies.