Breathing Tube Injuries Can Lead to Nursing Home Lawsuits

 Posted on October 31, 2022 in Nursing Home Abuse

 Breathing tubes are very serious medical apparatuses that are used when a patient can no longer breathe on his or her own. Unfortunately, in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, residents requiring breathing tubes are among the most vulnerable. If there is an error with the insertion of a breathing tube, a patient is injured while being intubated by a breathing tube, or the tube somehow becomes dislodged, the patient may suffer from severe brain damage from lack of oxygen or another life-threatening injury. In some cases, a breathing tube error may even result in a wrongful death from oxygen deprivation.

Breathing tube injuries at nursing homes may be caused by nursing home abuse and neglect. If you have a loved one who suffered from a breathing tube injury, consider consulting with an experienced attorney who can protect your rights and explain your legal options. 

Different types of Breathing Tube Injuries in Nursing Homes

Deciding to send a beloved family member to a nursing home can be challenging and emotional. You likely love this person profoundly and may feel saddened about the state of their health. However, you also know that they can no longer care for themselves and thus require assistance. Therefore, you decide that a nursing home is the best solution for them to be adequately taken care of.

It is fair to assume that when you bring your loved one to a nursing home, you are expecting them to be diligently cared for by healthcare professionals. As a result, it can be especially enraging to learn that your family member was improperly cared for and suffered an injury or even a death because of their breathing tube or tracheotomy tube injury. Sometimes, these injuries occur due to inadequate staffing or poorly trained staff. 

According to Healthline, 10-25% of first-attempt emergency intubations are unsuccessful. In addition, several complications can arise when a breathing tube error occurs. These include:

• Infections – A breathing tube containing bacteria can lead to all sorts of respiratory infections, like pneumonia. Pneumonia in at-risk patients may result in death. 

• Pneumothorax – This occurs when a breathing tube is improperly inserted and leaks air into the space between the chest and lungs. This can result in infections, pain, and shortness of breath.

• Vocal Cord Damage – If a breathing tube is inserted too forcefully, it can damage the vocal cords.  

• Lung Damage – If too much oxygen or pressure is pumped out of the tube, this can result in severe lung damage. 

• Bed Sores – If a nursing home patient is forced to stay in one position for too long while oxygen is administered through their breathing tube, they may very well suffer from pressure sores or other skin problems.  

Contact a Cook County Breathing Tube Injury Lawyer

Breathing tubes, tracheotomy tubes, and ventilators are essential medical devices that can differentiate between life and death. If your loved one has suffered from a breathing tube injury, contact the seasoned Chicago breathing tube injury attorneys with Schwartz Injury Law. Call today for a free and confidential consultation.  

Source: 

https://www.healthline.com/health/intubation#risks