Dallas Aspiration Pneumonia Lawyers

Protecting Your Loved Ones After Poor Treatment

Aspiration pneumonia is considered one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in nursing homes across the state, according to the National Center on Biotechnology Information (NCBI). All too often, elderly individuals receive inadequate or improper care, leading to preventable complications and deaths. If you believe your elderly loved one did not receive proper treatment for aspiration pneumonia while living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, reach out to our team to learn how we can help.

Smith Clinesmith LLP is a legal team of lawyers, medical experts, nurses, and investigators who will aggressively pursue your case and determine if medical neglect has been inflicted on you or a loved one. We strive to obtain justice and fair recoveries for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect and their families.

Contact the Smith Clinesmith LLP today at (877) 976-8411 to discuss your case during a free and confidential consultation.

What Is Aspiration Pneumonia?

Aspiration pneumonia is an infection in the lungs that is caused by several things, such as inhaling food or liquids and liquids, including blood, entering the lungs. Typically, when we get something caught in our lungs, we are able to cough it up and get rid of it. However, when food or liquids remain in the lungs, it allows bacteria to form and grow, leading to an infection known as aspiration pneumonia.

What Are the Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia?

It is important that you are able to recognize the signs of aspiration pneumonia in a loved one, as an elderly individual may not be able to relay all of their symptoms to a medical professional. Because aspiration pneumonia is fairly common in nursing homes and senior assisted living facilities, doctors and other medical practitioners should be promptly informed of any signs of the condition.

There are several common symptoms of aspiration pneumonia, including:

• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Blue discoloration in the skin
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Coughing (potentially with green sputum, blood, or a bad smell)
• Bad breath
• Excessive sweating

If your loved one has been exhibiting these symptoms, should contact a doctor immediately. Aspiration pneumonia can be life-threatening without prompt and proper treatment.

What Are the Causes of Aspiration Pneumonia?

Elderly individuals are extremely susceptible to aspiration pneumonia due to a number of causes. Many of the causes have to do with the effects of old age and, in such cases, aspiration pneumonia cannot necessarily be blamed on any one individual or group. However, in many circumstances, aspiration pneumonia (or the poor treatment of it) can be shown to be the fault of a care provider.

Such causes include:

• Poor care/poor hygiene
• Weak immune system
• Poor feeding tube care and / or ventilator
• Weak throat muscles caused by medical diseases such as Alzheimer’s
• Inability to swallow or chew food, pill fragments caught in throat

Aspiration pneumonia is not just a natural consequence from the aging process. It can be prevented and, when it occurs as a result of improper care or negligence, legal recourse is available.

Smith Clinesmith LLP uses experienced professionals—such as medical experts, nurses, forensic analysts, investigators, and others—to verify that you have a solid case for nursing home neglect litigation. We investigate the causes of your loved one’s illness or death and, when we determine that the illness or death was preventable, we are prepared to aggressive represent you throughout the following legal proceedings.

Aspiration Pneumonia Attorneys Serving Clients Nationwide

Smith Clinesmith LLP has a team of dedicated lawyers ready to take on your nursing home or medical neglect case. We take every claim very seriously and have the best experts in the fields of medicine and investigation work with us to help prepare your case. If you suspect you or a loved one is suffering from aspiration pneumonia and you want to see if you have a case for nursing home abuse or neglect, contact us today. We offer free case evaluations over the phone or in person with complete confidentiality. With offices in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago, we proudly represent clients nationwide.

If you have a medical neglect case concerning a nursing home facility, call the aspiration pneumonia attorneys at the Smith Clinesmith LLP today: (877) 976-8411.

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