The family of an Ohio nursing home resident who died as a result of choking after eating lunch on January 16, 2022 has filed a lawsuit against the nursing home for negligence, wrongful death, and violations of nursing home resident rights. The family’s lawsuit alleges that the resident was known by the nursing home staff to be a choking risk and therefore was placed on a liquid diet. Despite such knowledge and choking precautions, the family alleges that a nursing aide observed the resident choking, who was pleading for help, and instead of assisting him, the nursing aide allegedly handed him a bucket and left him alone. The nurse who was assigned to the resident’s care was allegedly on a cigarette break at the time of the choking incident and did not arrive at the resident’s bedside until it was too late.
The Ohio Department of Health reportedly cited the nursing home for multiple violations, including failing to ensure staff were CPR certified, not inspecting safety equipment, and neglecting to perform CPR properly.
The man had become a resident of the nursing home on January 1, 2022, following a fall that resulted in fractures to his left shoulder and hip. The family proactively placed a video camera in the man’s nursing home room to ensure his welfare. The family alleges that the video camera documented numerous instances of staff neglect including ignoring the man’s cries for help and failing to address his complaints of breathing difficulties. The family’s lawyer stated, “This lawsuit exposes the disturbing reality of nursing home activities. Thanks to the family’s decision to install a video camera in Ronald’s room, we can now witness the events that led to his tragic death. It emphasizes the crucial need to support families who have lost loved ones to nursing home abuse and neglect. By advocating for them, we seek justice and aim to prevent similar tragedies in the future, ensuring the safety and dignity of all nursing home residents.”
An important issue raised by the family’s lawsuit is the alleged understaffing of the nursing home, reportedly supported by Medicare records showing below-average staffing levels for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and aides. The nursing home’s chronic understaffing contributed to the man’s death, according to the family’s lawsuit.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries (or worse) while a resident of a nursing home in Ohio or in another U.S. state due to nursing home neglect, nursing home negligence, nursing home abuse, nursing home understaffing, a nursing home fall, nursing home choking death, or the nursing home failing to properly care for a vulnerable adult, you should promptly find a nursing home claim lawyer in Ohio (Ohio medical malpractice lawyer) or a nursing home claim lawyer in your state who may investigate your nursing home claim for you and file a nursing home claim on your behalf or behalf of your loved one, if appropriate.
Click here to visit our website to be connected with medical malpractice attorneys (nursing home claim attorneys) in your U.S. state who may assist you with your nursing home claim, or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959.
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