Aspiration Pneumonia Injury Claims

Call 407.612.6464 • 863.324.3500 today to schedule a confidential consultation with Nursing Home Neglect Attorney, Sanga Turnbull.

Aspiration Pneumonia occurs when saliva, food, vomit or liquids accidentally go into the airway to the lungs, and an individual cannot cough it up. Instead, a bacterial infection begins, and if left untreated, aspiration pneumonia can be deadly. Elderly patients in nursing homes are at a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia. According to an article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a case-controlled study found the incidence rate of aspiration pneumonia to be 18% in nursing home facilities.

If you have a loved one who is suffering from a severe case of aspiration pneumonia that was left untreated or was caused by neglect, you may have a personal injury case and should speak with a qualified Orlando nursing home abuse attorney, who you can find at The Turnbull Law Firm.

What Increases The Risk Of Aspiration Pneumonia?

While aspiration pneumonia is caused by a liquid or solid going into the lung’s airways or lungs, certain scenarios increase a person’s risk of contracting it because they cannot properly clear the airways by coughing. The risk of aspiration pneumonia increases with the following:

• Stroke
• Seizures
• Dementia
• Parkinson disease
• General anesthesia
• Tracheostomy

The Symptoms And Treatment of Aspiration Pneumonia

It can be hard to identify if someone is suffering from this ailment. But there are some signs that you and the nursing care staff should look out for, including:

• Excessive sweating
• Coughing up phlegm that is dark-colored
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Bad breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Bluish coloration of the skin

Those who are suspected of having aspiration pneumonia will need to seek medical attention. Chest X-rays can help with the diagnosis. Patients will be propped up in bed so the chance of aspiration is lowered and antibiotics will likely be given to help with the infection.

If a patient has trouble breathing, they may need a ventilator, and if they continue to have trouble swallowing, a feeding tube may be necessary. According to a study in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, almost all patients seen in the emergency department of a hospital for aspiration pneumonia were admitted to the hospital, and the median stay among those who survived was just shy of seven days.

How Aspiration Pneumonia Can Be A Sign Of Nursing Home Neglect

Aspiration Pneumonia is not simply a consequence of aging. A nursing home patient who is neglected is more likely to suffer from this infection because they may not receive assistance during meal times where there is an increased likelihood of having food travel into the airway. Furthermore, if they are left unattended for long periods of time, the nursing home staff would not notice the symptoms of the pneumonia and be unable to help the elderly patient seek hospital treatment in time for a successful outcome.

Contact The Turnbull Law Firm If You Suspect Nursing Home Neglect

If your loved one has become sick or succumbed to aspiration pneumonia, and you believe that the nursing home staff neglected their symptoms, you may have a personal injury case. The knowledgeable Orlando aspiration pneumonia lawyers at The Turnbull Law Firm can help you further investigate and submit a claim.

Call 407.612.6464 • 863.324.3500 today to speak with an experienced Nursing Home Neglect Lawyer who proudly serves Lakeland, Orlando, and throughout the State of Florida.