Chicago Clogged Breathing Tubes Attorneys

Compensation for Victims of Clogged Breathing Tubes in Chicago Nursing Homes

Our Chicago clogged breathing tubes attorneys understand the serious risks nursing home residents face when vital respiratory equipment is not properly maintained. A clogged tube often signals a preventable failure in care, putting vulnerable patients in danger and exposing deeper problems within the long-term care facility.

This issue remains a major concern for families throughout Cook County seeking safe and reliable nursing home care. If your loved one was harmed due to a clogged breathing tube, book a free consultation with an experienced nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago.

Verdicts & Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we have successfully handled complex nursing home abuse and negligence cases, helping families recover compensation for poor care and facility failures.

• $2,150,000 recovered for the family of a nursing home resident who died from untreated bedsores and sepsis.
• $1,250,000 settlement for the wrongful death of a resident who choked due to lack of supervision.
• $735,000 awarded to a patient who sustained injuries after falling from an unattended wheelchair.

The Vulnerability of Elderly Nursing Home Residents with Breathing Tubes

Many nursing home residents rely on breathing tubes, such as endotracheal tubes or tracheostomy tubes, making them extremely vulnerable. These devices can limit their ability to speak or signal for help, leaving these patients reliant on staff.

If a decline in their health goes unnoticed, it can lead to serious consequences, even death. This is why attentive and appropriate care from nursing home employees is essential to ensure their well-being.

How Do Breathing Tubes Become Clogged in Nursing Homes?

Breathing tube blockages in nursing homes often stem from inadequate nursing care. Common causes include:

• Mucus buildup when suctioning is not performed regularly
• Saliva and secretions combining with other debris due to poor cleaning
• Accumulation of food particles, medications, or dust within the tube

Regular maintenance and monitoring are essential to ensure residents can breathe safely.

The Life-Threatening Consequences of a Clogged Breathing Tube

A clogged breathing tube can quickly lead to dangerous and life-threatening complications for nursing home residents. Here are some of the severe outcomes that may occur:

• Oxygen deprivation (Hypoxia)
• Potential brain damage
• Damage to nasal passage and vocal chords
• Organ failure
• Respiratory arrest
• Cardiac arrest
• Death

These complications can escalate very quickly, underscoring the urgent need for proper care and immediate attention when a breathing tube becomes clogged.

Staff Responsibilities for Maintaining Breathing Tubes in Illinois Nursing Homes

Maintaining a clear and functional breathing tube for patients is a critical responsibility of the nursing home staff. To ensure elderly patients’ safety, staff should adhere to the following standards:

• Regular monitoring
• Proper suctioning techniques
• Ensuring correct tube placement
• Prompt response to alarms or signs of distress
• Appropriate sedation and restraint protocol
• Specialized training for tracheostomy may be required in Illinois

By following these protocols, Illinois nursing home staff can significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening complications for many residents who depend on breathing tubes.

Prevention Failure as a Form of Abuse and Neglect

Failing to maintain clear breathing tubes in nursing home residents can be seen as neglect under Illinois state law. When staff members do not regularly monitor these tubes, use proper suctioning methods, or respond promptly to signs of a blockage, they fall short of the legal duty of care owed to vulnerable residents.

This lack of necessary and timely medical care can qualify as a form of nursing home abuse or neglect because it directly endangers a resident’s health and well-being.

Why Clogged Breathing Incidents Happen

Clogged breathing incidents in nursing homes often highlight systemic facility issues, such as:

• Insufficient staffing
• Lack of training on device maintenance
• Poor supervision
• Ignoring safety protocols

Addressing these issues is crucial to prevent injuries and ensure residents receive proper care.

Chicago, Illinois Nursing Home Residents’ Rights

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act grants residents the right to be treated with dignity and to receive proper, safe care in nursing homes. This law protects individuals from nursing home abuse, neglect, and inadequate medical treatment, ensuring that their well-being is a top priority.

If a resident suffers injuries, for example, from a clogged breathing tube due to insufficient care, this may constitute a violation of their rights under the NHCA.

Holding a Chicago Nursing Home Liable for Negligence

In Chicago, a nursing home facility can be held accountable if serious injuries or even death occur due to a clogged breathing tube caused by negligent staff or lack of proper systems and training.

When a safety failure like this happens, it often points to a broader problem within the long-term care facility, meaning the assisted living facility may not have provided adequate oversight or training for nursing home employees. Reach out to our legal team to learn more about your legal options.

Taking Legal Action in Cook County Following Clogged Breathing Tubes

If you or an elderly family member has been harmed by a clogged breathing tube in a Chicago nursing home, you may have the right to file a lawsuit to seek compensatory damages. Victims or their representatives, and in wrongful death cases, the surviving family members, can claim compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other losses.

Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202) generally gives elderly people injured by nursing home staff negligence a two-year window to file such a claim, so prompt legal action is important.

Compensation Available in These Cases

When a nursing home abuse or neglect case results in serious injury or death our legal team can help you obtain the following damages:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Funeral expenses
• Punitive damages
• Attorney fees

Having an experienced attorney can make a significant difference in obtaining a fair settlement.

Why You Need an Experienced Chicago Attorney

A nursing home neglect lawyer understands the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and knows how to find evidence of poor care by reviewing staffing levels, training records, and care plans.

We collaborate with medical experts to show how nursing home negligence caused injuries, strengthening your nursing home case. Having legal representation ensures the nursing facility and its insurance company take your claim seriously, increasing your chances of a fair resolution.

How Our Law Firm Investigates Clogged Breathing Tube Cases

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers conducts a detailed investigation into clogged breathing tube cases. Here’s an overview of what we do:

• Review Records: We examine medical files, facility logs, and maintenance records to see if proper care was provided.
• Consult Professionals: We collaborate with medical experts to assess procedures and identify where care may have fallen short.
• Evaluate Standard of Care: We compare the care given to nursing home guidelines and industry standards.

We do everything we can to build a strong case and advocate for injured patients.

Consult a Chicago Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Near You!

If you suspect that a clogged breathing tube in a Chicago area nursing home has caused harm to your family member, we can help. Nursing home abuse and negligence are one of our primary practice areas, and our experienced nursing home attorneys understand how distressing these situations can be for elderly people and their families.

We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t owe us anything unless we secure compensation for you. Call (888) 424-5757 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Champaign, Naperville, Schaumburg , Springfield and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.